Reply #18: Tobin, my friend... [View All]

The stigma can be terrible, and not just in the dating scene.

I am very open about my depression. I will talk to anyone about it.

Sometimes when I tell people that I have major depression, they will tip toe around and speak what I call "baby talk" to you...Ohhh are you OK? Don't be sad! Be happy. When they do this, I sometimes start drooling and grunting, just to see the look on their face!

The stigma also exists among mental health workers, which I find amazing.

I've been in the hospital twice for depression.

During one stay, we had to go into a room every morning to get our vitals taken. There was a man and woman in the room. I used to chat with the woman...she made a comment to me along the lines of "oh, you're a good one, you are the only normal one in this place". Well, I just kind of looked at her. After she took my vitals, I was on my way out of the room, and one of the patients walked in, a beautiful sweet little old lady. I kid you not...the guy looked at her and said "JESUS CHRIST, WHY DON'T YOU BRUSH YOUR FUCKING TEETH, YOUR BREATH STINKS"! The lady got tearful.

I was out in the hall, and when she left the room, I went back in and told the guy to fuck himself. He just grinned at me, so I put the fucker up against the wall. Then i got gang tackled and received a few extra days stay for my trouble.

My point is this...if some (I repeat SOME) mental health workers don't understand mental illnesses, how can we expect the general population to?

It sucks...bad. I guess all we can do is continue to educate.