stigma

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    What are you grateful for? What can you be thankful for to keep you holding on during tough times?

    Please let's all share our blessings in life that we are thankful for. In
    dark and trying times (like right now), I try to always remember the things I am grateful for and remind myself that without any/all of them my life could be much less manageable

    I am grateful for:

    -Being alive!
    -Being able to walk, even if I need mobility devices
    -Having a roof over my head
    -Having food on the table
    -Having great doctors, nurses, my therapist, my shrink, numerous specialists and my clinic - and having the insurance to pay for them - as well as insurance to pay for my many medications!
    -Having a strong network of family and friends and always being able to know that I am loved and supported ...and
    -Having my relative health - things could always be worse!

    What are you thankful for?

    Maybe thank someone who you are grateful for and let them know how helpful they are and how much it means to you to have their support. Sometimes people don’t know how much they impact other’s lives!

    #Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Chronicpainwarrior #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder #Stigma #BipolarDepression
    #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Autism #Dementia #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #SuicideSurvivors #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #HIVAIDS #longtermsurvivor #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deaf #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #Headache #Stroke #help #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #thankful #grateful #EatingDisorders #CocaineDependence #drugaddict #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth #PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Happiness #TheMighty #MightyMinute #MightyTogether #DistractMe #MightyTogether #mentalhealthwarrior #RareDisease #ChronicFatigue

    23 reactions 8 comments
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    Time to look within

    This may not end up being a very well-liked post, but nonetheless I feel led to share it.

    I pride myself on being a nonjudgmental person. I strive to put aside differences in favor of relationship.

    This view of myself has recently been challenged as I am beginning to believe we all have a tendency to stigmatize others, even if it is subconscious, due to cultural upbringing. In the past several months, I have befriended two individuals, one of which practices a different faith than I do, and the other who has a lifestyle that contrasts with my traditional conservative values. My experience with them, connecting with them online and before I learned of these differences, has brought to light the fact that had I met them knowing of these differences, I would have been less inclined to see them for who they really are, amazing, thoughtful, and kind people. Before we point fingers at others for their stigmatizing beliefs, maybe we should look within to see if we, ourselves, are unknowingly doing it to others. This in no way excuses the stigmatization of others, just like their behavior in no way excuses ours.

    "First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.". - Matthew 7:5

    #TheMighty #MightyTogether #Stigma #StopTheStigma #Judgement #selfawareness

    7 reactions 1 comment
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    Sacred Stigma?

    This post encompasses both of my groups, #IntercessionforIllness and #StopTheStigma . It also brings together my dual calling.

    The original meaning of the word #Stigma means "mark" or "brand". It also refers to a tattoo (which will get me back to the pic in a moment). The plural for stigma is stigmata which speaks of marks resembling the wounds left on the body of Christ after the crucifixion.

    One of my tat goals is to symbolically replicate said wounds onto my body as a way to make real for me what I believe was done for me. The dots on my wrists are representative of the nails driven through the wrists into the wood of the cross.

    Regardless of your personal beliefs, I encourage you to rethink the word #Stigma . Maybe it's time we take that word back, bringing it back to it's original meaning, making it a good mark or brand onto our identities no matter what that may mean for you.

    #IntercessionforIllness #StopTheStigma #Stigma #Meaning #Disabilities #MentalHealth #MightyTogether #TheMighty

    27 reactions 13 comments
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    Surviving is just part of the journey…making the most of the time it gives you and realizing there can be good times despite the struggles is a gift!

    It’s not all about survival, there is a lot of living to do along the way. Although at times I feel like I am just treating one ailment after another, all day every day (which is true right now) I’ve decided why take all the time and energy it takes to survive everything unless I don’t enjoy how the time given to me by surviving is ripe for good times too.

    Recently I have mostly been homebound except to go to health appointments… doctors, PT & OT, clinics, therapy etc. and then only with a walker and the benefit of handicapped parking spots. But I try to continue to celebrate the gifts I have in life, be thankful for the blessings I have that make life just a little more bearable and remind myself of what I’ve been through, how I’ve survived and what I’ve learned from these experiences. If I consider all this, then I must be a very wise man 😉 I may have dropped out of college but I have a Masters degree from the School of Hard Knocks … the diploma is not needed, I know I have accomplished it and need no reminder…I’m still alive after all!

    Tough times have given me the chance to tap into my inner strength and I’ve also grown along the way. I don’t have to wait to celebrate the good times when I am experiencing some right now despite what I’m going through!

    Thank you all for the love, support, thoughts and prayers, I certainly couldn’t have done this alone!

    #Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Chronicpainwarrior #Disability #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder #Stigma #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #RareDisease #AspergersSyndrome #ADHD #Autism #Dementia #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #Cancer #TraumaticBrainInjury #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #SuicideSurvivors #ChronicFatigue #DistractMe #HIVAIDS #longtermsurvivor #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deafness #neckpain #BackPain #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #Headache #Stroke #help #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #thankful #grateful #EatingDisorders #CocaineDependence #drugaddict #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth #PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Happiness #Selflove #Selfcare #MightyMinute #MentalHealthHero
    #TheMighty #InsideTheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe

    37 reactions 8 comments
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    Revictimization

    Who of you has felt the sting of stigma? If so, and if you feel comfortable, what exact diagnosis was stigmatized?

    For me, my Borderline Personality Disorder is highly stigmatized and to read the opinions online about us who have it can be downright painful and triggering. I urge others with this challenge, don't do it. Don't ever look it up unless it's to educate yourself on it. Don't go to any sites that post the opinion of others. Even search results can be disheartening.#Stigma #Misconception #Wrong #triggering #revictimization #StopTheStigma #TheMighty #MightyTogether

    15 reactions 10 comments
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    My Experience with Bipolar 1 Disorder

    I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 2019 after being incorrectly diagnosed with Major Depression. I was diagnosed as having type 1 which involves more manic episodes. I am currently in a mixed state in which I am experiencing the fatigue and sadness of depression but also the energy and racing thoughts of mania.

    I did not know much about the disorder other than it had ups and downs. Which does not quite sum up the disorder itself. For me when I am manic it is like a restless energy that must keep moving. I get very little sleep and feel very agitated (usually over nothing) but small things will annoy me.

    When I am depressed everything seems hopeless. I have no energy to complete every day tasks. I just want to sleep it off but I know that does me no good. I also tend to isolate myself because being around people is just too much. Similar to my manic episodes I tend to get overstimulated and shut down.

    This disorder is hard to describe to people that do not live with it and most never receive help. I probably had it before 2019 but no one noticed. I think that if I had gotten the help necessary then I would be in a better place. I do not really open up about my disorder because I do not want people thinking I am mentally unstable. Also because some people just do not get it and this is frustrating. There is a stigma that surrounds mental health and considering I have two other diagnosis that does not help. I suppose my experiences make me unique but also do not really matter in the scope of things. I just wanted to share this with a community that understands. I will also post about my other diagnosis. Thanks for your understanding.

    #BipolarDisorder #Mania #Depression #Stigma #MentalHealth

    3 reactions 4 comments
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    We are in need of a new co-leader for our group. Please see info below. We need someone to encourage, empower, support & be there for other members!

    We are currently looking for a new Co-Leader for the Multiple Health Challenges group. We have grown quite a bit and just passed 1,500 members. In the past co-leaders have been golden, really helpful for me when I got sick or burnt out and had to step away for a few days. I am looking for someone to welcome new members, comment or respond to most posts or other comments, make new posts to the group every once and a while, and preferably someone who has physical and emotional health challenges so they can best relate to and understand where other members are coming from when they post or comment.

    It is important for the group to have two distinctly different voices to support people because people might relate more to one of us. What is a really good situation is if we both respond to the same posts, welcome new members from different perspectives and provide voices for people that are accessible and relatable. There is a commitment needed that you monitor activities on the group regularly and can respond pretty quickly.

    Offering your own posts provides more content for the group…and when posts pose a question they keep things moving forward. I can assist and support by offering to look at your new posts for feedback and editing before you post if you would like it, comment on your posts to get the responses going to best support your efforts, help finding memes or images, and support you if we are dealing with someone struggling …. Like sounding suicidal or being manic…and I will check in to make sure you are happy and comfortable!

    I look at potential leaders' history of posts and/or comments that have helped and supported others in the past. Willingness to be honest and open about your own health challenges is crucial to best support people. A co-leader works together with me for some new posts and drafting new questions and is concerned about the well being of all members and can empathize with their paths.

    You will get access to the Community Leaders group and your name will have a “Group Leader” tab next to it up top on your comments and responses so I think people pay attention especially to your activity and wisdom shared from personal experience. Would you consider joining me on this journey? Let’s have a DM chat to discuss this! Thanks for considering taking on this role!

    #Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #Chronicpainwarrior #Disability #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder
    #Stigma #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Autism #Dementia #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #Cancer #TraumaticBrainInjury #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #SuicideSurvivors #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #DistractMe #HIVAIDS #longtermsurvivor #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deafness #neckpain #BackPain #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #Headache #Stroke #help #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Disability #thankful #grateful #EatingDisorders #CocaineDependence #drugaddict #alcoholic #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Selflove #MightyMinute #MentalHealthHero #TheMighty #RareDisease #MightyTogether

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    4 reactions 6 comments
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    Vital Video Stigmatized Mental Illness

    My boyfriend sent me a link shared on Facebook but originally from Instagram of a video with a cat parodying the J.G. Wentworth commercial jingle, except they changed the lyrics to, "I have a mental illness and I need cats now..." Only two people in the comments I read were offended. Everyone else thought it was hilarious.

    #Stigma
    #EndTheStigma
    #MentalHealthStigma

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    Check out this great FREE online event from diaTribe!

    Addressing diabetes stigma is going to take out-of-the-box, disruptive ideas. Learn from incredible speakers including Renza Scibilia, Alysse Dalessandro, Tony Pearson, and Brian Fitzegerald at the diaTribe Foundation’s d22 Lightning Talks on 10/25 at 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET.

    Register now: [https://hopin.com/events/d22-lightning-talks-diabetes-stigma-and-the-need-for-disruption?utm_source=Partner%20Orgs&utm_campaign=Partners](https://hopin.com/events/d22-lightning-talks-diabetes-stigma-and-the-need-for-disruption?utm_source=Partner%20Orgs&utm_campaign=Partners)

    #Diabetes #DiabetesType1 #DiabetesType2 #Diabetestype3 #prediabetes #GestationalDiabetes #JuvenileDiabetesType1 #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #Lifestyle #HealthCare #Health #MentalHealth #EndTheStigma #Stigma #event

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    What’s a health myth you’d like to see busted?

    The world has A LOT of opinions about health conditions: what a person should or shouldn’t do (“you can just choose to be happy!“), why the diagnosis exists (“you’re just stressed!“), how someone should treat it (“have you tried not eating gluten?“). Maybe one or all of those sound familiar to you.

    But if you had to narrow it down to a singular myth — which one would you like to bust forever? It can be specific to a condition you live with or to general wellness.

    “Pop” those stigma balloons below 🎈

    #CheckInWithMe #MentalHealth #Anxiety #Depression #Stigma #MentalHealthStigma #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #RareDisease #ADHD

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