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November 16, 2024This article was written by a retired clinical psychologist. “Can I come in through the back door?” or “Please schedule my appointments so I don’t run into anyone I know.” These requests were routine early in my 40-year private practice as a clinical psychologist. Teachers didn’t want to encounter their students or students’ parents. Doctors wanted to avoid their patients. Students were uneasy about seeing classmates in the parking lot or on the stairwell even though those classmates had just completed a psychotherapy session themselves with my officemates or me. Coming to grips with a psychiatric diagnosis is daunting, especially when accompanied by feelings of shame. People with these diagnoses typically feel unworthy and hide their suffering from others. While shame results from internalized biases, for someone already fighting to get out of bed, leave the house when the world feels dangerous or whose moods fluctuate radically from out-of-control highs to the lowest lows, this unjust, added level of stigma is like a lead blanket, immobilizing. Three types of stigma can impact people with mental health diagnoses, according to the American Psychiatric Association: 1) Public Stigma — Negative or discriminatory public attitudes about mental illness. 2) Self-stigma — Internalized shame. 3) Structural Stigma — Systemic, involving policies of government and private organizations that intentionally or unintentionally limit opportunities for people with mental illness. Rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse have increased significantly since the onset of the pandemic. According to Johns Hopkins University, “an estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.” Anxiety disorders affect 31.9% of adolescents between 13 and 18 years old. These numbers tell a sad story: Americans are suffering in unprecedented numbers with afflictions that are invisible to others. However, the more we disclose our symptoms to friends, family and professionals, the more likely we’ll find support and receive appropriate treatment for these genuine maladies. Just as no one is to blame for medical conditions, no one should be blamed for anxiety or depression. Thankfully, times have changed for the better. While people with psychiatric diagnoses are still reluctant to disclose their mental health history on job applications and in new social situations, they’ve become more comfortable sharing their mental health struggles with friends and even with acquaintances. Here's the link: digitaledition.baltimoresun.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=36adf094-defd-45f3-9d72-a19ce4ef0754