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Shame can be evident for many individuals dealing with mental illness. It takes immense courage and strength to accept and be open about one's mental health. That said, dealing with the shame that particularly roots from having a mental illness can become overwhelming and complicated.
In most cases, when an individual struggles with mental illness, they also battle with the shame of having it. Oftentimes, the shame consumes and erodes the person's freedom and self-esteem.
Undeniably, being labeled as someone having a mental disorder can seem daunting, overwhelming the individual to experience some type of fear that holds them back. Moreover, the majority of individuals don't yearn to be called abnormal, but what's been ingrained in our minds is that when we have a mental illness, we are immediately considered one. The truth is, having a mental illness does not imply that.
Because of this state of mind of wanting to be "normal," we begin to conceal fractions of ourselves, which feels shameful and confusing to us. Ultimately, this train of thought adds up to the idea that mental health issues are immensely misunderstood, and this feeds the stigma continually dispersing.
All this time, regardless of having a mental illness, we've always been normal. We are more than our disorder, and we are certainly not our disorder.
The Dark Cloak of Shame: Living Life in Fear
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Shame is rooted in fear, which may get the best of us. Because we fear multiple things and situations that encompass our mental illness, we are driven to a life confined by fear.
These fears may include the fear of being not 'normal,' fear of being judged, fear of not fitting in, fear of not being accepted by society, fear of not living up to expectations, fear of not fulfilling in life, fear of being held back, and many other fears not mentioned.
As a result of these fears, if we let them devour us, we become overly critical of ourselves. Hence, we end up devaluing and discriminating our own individualities. All of which may hinder recovery, reduce self-esteem, cause rumination, tolerate self-sabotage, and even raise suicidal ideation.
The impact of self-stigma can cause further destruction and lead to horrible outcomes. A person's outlook on life will be buried with shame, imposing the reluctance to open up about the condition and reach out for help. In addition to this, it also antagonizes the spread of understanding and awareness about mental health, evolving the self-stigma to grow even more.
Dealing with the Shame Comes With Acceptance
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Shame has the capacity to negatively influence our lives, thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. Therefore, it is crucial to address this sense of inadequacy, worthlessness, and embarrassment; otherwise, it will trigger negative emotions and thoughts, ultimately leading to self-loathing.
Fighting against inner shame and dealing with it involves the act of embracing self-acceptance. Self-acceptance implies being able to accept oneself, including flaws and imperfections. While we focus on self-acceptance, it is also vital to initially acknowledge and validate the feelings of shame. We don't have to keep stifling these negatives in our lives; instead, we embrace them with a challenge. At the end of the day, we are not defined by our flaws and weaknesses.
With that said, it is important to also celebrate what makes us unique, strong, and resilient. The strengths and accomplishments we have acquired rightfully deserve acknowledgment. To attain a more fulfilling and meaningful life, we must embrace healing and recovery while understanding that setbacks will be a part of this venture.
The Transformative Pages of Stories of Stigma: A Must-Read!
Stories of Stigma, authored by Greg Hitchcock, is a self-help book about overcoming shame in order to live a healthy life. It delves deep into self-doubt and societal judgment while unveiling the complexity of mental health stigma. Not only does this book dabble into a profound understanding of these societal chains, but it also concerns breaking free from them.
Equipped with an illuminating path that bears compelling stories, compassionate insights, and operative solutions, Greg Hitchcock's Stories of Stigma provides valuable tools to facilitate hope, honor resilience, and reclaim self-worth. This book will surely drive you to a clear path, drifting through the precarious depths of self-stigmatization.
You are more than your struggles! To seize your own copy of Stories of Stigma, you may click here. You may also make your purchase on Amazon.
While you're at it, you may delve into another related article about the philosophy of shame for another interesting read.