“Therapy and medication are nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Share your stigma experience.

I have suffered from depression and an eating disorder for about 30 years. I have been told to “push through”, try this or that diet/exercise routine, I have been not believed and was told I was just trying to get attention. All of these things made it much more difficult to seek help. Sometimes when I speak about my depression, people get quiet, and then change the subject. My issues with depression are as relevant to the conversation as anyone else’s issues at the time. I have been not invited to things, because I wasn’t feeling or acting bubbly and gregarious enough.

How did you overcome this experience?

I don’t know that I have overcome all of this, but my friends have dwindled, and I know I need to seek community so I’m not living in isolation. I lean on my family for support and socialization. My husband and kids don’t judge me, and being honest and upfront with them helps them to be more open with me. Understanding how each of us is doing is really important to how our family unit functions.

Help others by sharing a brief, positive message.

It only takes 1 or 2 really strong support people that you can be totally honest with to start feeling like a person again. Therapy and medication are nothing to be embarrassed about. I wish I had started it earlier. You’ve got this!