“Don’t let anyone take you down!”

Share your stigma experience.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD, major depression, self harm, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, suicidal tendencies and ideation, and the one that gets people the most, homicidal ideation. I have had a lot of stigma from my parents. People think i’m a freak, but they don’t realize that those thoughts come to me without me even wanting them. I’ve had many traumatizing experiences, leading me to go into a dark hole as a coping mechanism. Those experiences still stick today, even without me being in that same situation. I had been off medication for a while because my parents were against it, and whenever I would break down in front of them, they would invalidate my feelings saying that I wasn’t at the age to be feeling that way. They would treat me like a freak. I was afraid of telling my new friends of who I really am, fearing them leaving me, since that would always happen. I would move a lot and not have many friends, so I would never really have anyone to talk to. Having used so many medications, until finding the right one, it’s really challenging.

How did you overcome this experience?

I moved out of the toxic environment and decided for myself that I would start taking my medications on my own and seeking the help I need. It’s still tough having to deal with my self-harming urges, but I do manage. The only thing I realized is that I have to believe in myself and move forward.

Help others by sharing a brief, positive message.

Don’t let anyone take you down! You are strong and you can live through pain like a warrior, no matter how many times your mind tells you that you can’t! YOU CAN DO IT! Later on you will look back at those memories, and they will be exactly that, memories.