Laughed At

[Loula]

Does anyone else get really upset about the stigma with mental illness?

Ive got Bipolar which the world calls the crazy gene. People use it left right and centre as an insult to payout on people. Like if a girls upset oh that chick is crazy she's bipolar.

All the Facebook memes joking about it. "I hate having bipolar it's fun!"

Even the movies. I was watching the Intern and the little girl dad is like your friend has so many moods she's bipolar and they all laugh like a happy family about it!

Like it's a nightmare. I'm trying hard to accept it and let people know but once they hear Bipolar your crazy. The Stigma is set in.

Today one of my close friends who knows I have bipolar started liking jokes about it so goodbye loser!

[Starwolf]

Hi Loula,

Many of us will relate to your thoughts on this issue. Thank you for raising it.

The stigma attached to mental/emotional illness is due to one thing : ignorance. The fact is not many people WANT to learn about mental conditions because it scares them. It scares them because they have no understanding of it...a vicious circle. And laughing off something potentially frightening is a common reaction. Not taking it seriously makes peope feel they take away its power (I'm making fun of it so it cannot affect me). We can try to explain but only succeed if people want to know. They often don't.

This can be very hurtful but only if we let it. I agree that it is difficult not to take it personally , especially if we are personally targeted. This is when our reasoning mind must be summoned, to remind ourselves of the fear motivation behind the mockery.

I have found that many things cannot be changed but we can always change our attitude towards them. I decided a long time ago that whatever people thought of me was none of my business. Trying my best to change an attitude is the only thing I can control. How it is received is out of my control. So expecting positive results will only bring on disappointment and frustration. If I can touch 1 person out of 100, it will still be progress, a victory. The other 99 are just not ready for change. Change represents the unknown, which most of us find scary. Joining rangs with similarly minded people does help. For example, organisations like BB have been/are working on this. As individuals, we have limited power and must accept these limitations.

Evolution is a slow process when measured against our short human lifespan. Being an oldie, I notice it is happening. I have seen a lot of changes in many areas but the process cannot be fast forwarded. We have to be satisfied with the thought that today's efforts will be a contribution towards future improvement...for the next generations.

Meanwhile, trading quantity for quality is a good idea. Surrounding ourselves with the few who understand and learning to ignore the jeering, ignorant crowd.

Kindest thoughts to you.

[Just Sara]

Hi Loula;

I reiterate everything Starwolf mentioned. Insensitive comments, especially those from people we care about hurt deeply. I've found the courage to speak out when this happens to say; "That really hurt my feelings! It's hard enough to deal with this insidious problem without the added pressure of comments like that. Please be more considerate in the future. I value your friendship/support and don't want this to come between us."

Be your greatest supporter! Find your voice as we all are trying to. Posting on here is a good start...kudos!

I'm part of the Blue Voices crew addressing issues like discrimination in the media etc. Mental health is not a laughing matter, however it can be therapeutic to share the funny side with those of us who know what it's like; to laugh at ourselves in a sense. Threads like; Psychology Jokes or Worst Joke Wednesday can help to find our funny bones in a safe environment.

Fight the good fight Loula, keep on keeping on...Dizzy xo

[Cold_Mirror]

A friend who likes or laughs at bipolar is no friend. There are people out there who are bipolar or have friends and family who are - they will not consider it to be a joke or an insult.

I'm really sorry that you've been exposed to this thoughtless behaviour.

[Guest_3072]

Hi Loula! I'm sorry that you've had to go through those experiences! Yes, it is hard and difficult when people don't understand much about mental illness and use humour as a way to make light of something that is a serious issue for many people. I myself just had an argument with someone in my family who didn't understand why I see a counsellor at university. One of my family members said that I needed to take control of my own life and not rely on other people and that statement just confounded me as seeking professional help is in my opinion, a sign of sanity and commitment to your own mental health! I have found that in my own life, there is a lot of stigma about seeking professional help with counselling. Some people have said to me that counselling is for people who have only experienced major trauma but I find that it helps to make me more resilient and optimistic and proactive about the future. I think that there are ripple effects, like some people in my family have decided to see a counsellor after I've been open about how it has helped me.