“It doesn’t make you bad. You aren’t weak. Own it.”

Share your stigma experience.

I had a traumatic experience when I was 10 years old. Because of that, I was completely terrified of men for a number of years. I hated to be touched because it made me feel dirty. I could never be alone with strangers. I felt so worthless. I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone because they would do the same thing. I ended up attending my first mental hospital after I refused to get in my bed because I associated with my experience. 5 years later, I was finally diagnosed with PTSD. People didn’t know of my experience, but kids at school noticed I would flinch or cry if they touched me. They thought it was funny to see me scared. They called me a freak. I believed them. it went on throughout middle school and high school. I became seriously suicidal due to my experiences and the aftermath.

How did you overcome this experience?

I have an amazing therapist that helped me talk about what happened. I did ERP with touch. I still call her sometimes when I feel certain ways.

Help others by sharing a brief, positive message.

Talk about it. It doesn’t make you bad. You aren’t weak. Own it.