People who are dealing with mental health conditions often face a whole other challenge: mental health stigma. As if living with a mental health condition isn’t often challenging in and of itself.
But what is mental health stigma? It’s when others unfairly (and unwisely) say that mental health conditions are the fault of the people experiencing them. It’s when people (yes, even friends and family) label people with mental issues as “weak” or describe them with other negatively charged terms. It’s even when people downright discriminate against others who they deem “different” due to their mental health conditions.
If you’re living with a mental health challenge yourself, stigma can cause unnecessary shame and, thus, can also lead to a reluctance to seek help. Unfortunately, the harmful effects of this kind of stigma can also cause a lack of understanding by the very people, such as family, friends, and co-workers, who would (in an ideal world) be part of your emotional support system, instead of exacerbating your feelings of stress and isolation.
People with mental health issues, then, may receive less support than the average person — when in actuality they would most likely benefit from an increased sense of understanding. Therefore, if you or a loved one is dealing with a mental health condition, it’s important to fight this ongoing stigma.
Below are some suggestions to help you become the best mental health warrior you can be:
As mentioned above, sometimes stigma can create unnecessary shame and, thus, a reluctance to get treatment. To combat this, it may help to incorporate a way of thinking that encourages equality between physical and mental health conditions. There’s no shame in seeing a doctor for heart disease, autoimmune issues, and other medical conditions: There should be NO shame, therefore, in seeing a professional for your mental health condition. Explaining this to others also helps them overcome their own stigmas.
When I was battling the worst years of my anxiety, I felt as emotionally isolated as a person who had been lost at sea, floating alone on a raft with no land in sight. And because I was fearful that I’d be labeled as “weak” by others (and bought into the stigma myself that I was), I tried to overcome it without any help. When I finally bought a self-help program, I learned that other people had just as bad — and even more debilitating anxiety — than I did. I also connected with fellow anxiety-warriors on social media, and thus began my journey into self-acceptance and healing.
When and if you feel ready to share your own story, talking openly about your challenges and triumphs can help others overcome their personal stigmas, may help you lead a more empowered life, and can increase hope for fellow mental health warriors. Of course, when, how, where, and with whom you share your story is up to you. And even if you choose not to talk about your own process, you still have the option to speak out against mental health stigma by expressing your general opinions to others, writing letters to editors of various publications, even contacting broadcasting companies if you notice that their shows include mental health stigma-inducing plotlines or dialogue.
Remember that you are not a condition. Yes, you are dealing with it, but you are not defined by it. So, make sure that when you refer to yourself, you don’t label yourself as whatever condition you have (for a medical example, don’t state that “I’m a diabetic” but say that you “have diabetes”).
Know, too, that just like a medical condition, there may be times when things become exacerbated. Triggers such as stress, sleep deprivation, and grief can cause mental health to take a nose dive. Make sure to take extra care of yourself when you’re triggered, instead of berating yourself for taking “three steps back.” In other words, be your own best friend, a supportive and empathetic guide who doesn’t define or label you as your condition and helps you through the toughest of times.
If you feel as if you’re being discriminated against, please know that you have rights! For instance, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can help you figure out an appropriate course of action if you feel your rights have been violated. They also list rights of workers, including when an employer has the right — and does not have the legal right — to fire someone dealing with a mental health condition, and how an employee can acquire “reasonable accommodation” in order to decrease stress while increasing productivity.
No matter what course of action you take and how challenging it can be to fight this stigma, please know that you are not alone in this journey — and, in fact, are a warrior!
Measles may wipe out the immune system’s memory of other pathogens.
Taking growth hormone, metformin, and DHEA appears to reverse signs of aging in humans.
Increased green cover lowers temperatures in dry climates, but not in wet ones.
Injecting alcohol into tumors kills them.
The health effects of extreme inbreeding.
A low-carb diet improves metabolic health and performance of firefighters.
Much of the gender gap in math and science can be explained by girls’ dominance in reading.
Insoluble fiber may be linked to increased colorectal cancer mortality.
An early eating window (from 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.) improves glucose levels, autophagy, and circadian function in people.
Episode 370: Dude Spellings: Host Brad Kearns welcomes Dude Spellings back to the podcast to talk cold exposure and stress/life/training balance.
Episode 371: Matt Walden: I welcome Matt Walden to the podcast to chat about the two papers we wrote together on Ancestral Resting Posture and how it affects our health.
Episode 372: Brad Q&A: Brad Kearns answers your questions.
Each week, select Mark’s Daily Apple blog posts are prepared as Primal Blueprint Podcasts. Need to catch up on reading, but don’t have the time? Prefer to listen to articles while on the go? Check out the new blog post podcasts below, and subscribe to the Primal Blueprint Podcast here so you never miss an episode.
Johns Hopkins opens new center for psychedelic studies.
Don’t live off french fries, potato chips, and sausages.
Seriously. It is. Go live.
Why did darker and lighter skin evolve?
Did you know I do a Q&A over on the MDA Instagram every Wednesday morning?
Reusable duodenoscopes (internal cameras used in hospitals) are making people sick. They can only be washed by hand, and it’s not good enough.
How people learn to safely cook and consume poisonous plants.
Can radiation renew old brains?
A win for the plaintiff would set a terrible precedent.
Podcast I enjoyed: Dr. William Davis on The Fat Emperor Podcast.
Article I found interesting: You don’t have to play with your kids.
I’m sure no one could have foreseen something like this happening: Scientists mistakenly insert bacterial antibiotic resistance genes into genetically engineered hornless cow.
Great lucid take on the “red meat in public policy” question: “Should dietary guidelines recommend lower red meat intakes?”
This is a powerful story: The shocking truth about statins—supposed benefits, side effect coverups, the works.
What do you stress about? Write down at least 3-4 sentences describing it in full and I bet some of it will melt away.
One year ago (Sep 1– Sep 7)
“One last point, when the vet said to my husband, wow his teeth are so clean and strong! What do you use to brush them? My husband replied, are you joking?? Who the heck brushes their dog’s teeth?? When he got done laughing he told him about the raw bones. The vet had nothing to say. He didn’t try to sell the pricey stuff on his shelf though…”
– Nicely done, Jennifer’s husband.
The post Weekly Link Love — Episode 45 appeared first on Mark's Daily Apple.
Good morning, everybody. A Weekly Link Love it coming right up, but first I’ve got something to share….
I’ve always been in support of the greatest health with the least amount of pain, suffering and sacrifice. Living well—and eating well—should be as simple as possible. That was the reason behind the first Primal Kitchen® products I created: I wanted to make good Primal eating easier for everyday people with busy lives. It’s the same mission that moves me today in developing healthy sauces, condiments, dressings, bars and more. And today I’m thrilled to share the latest additions I’ve made to the Primal Kitchen collection—the Pasta Sauces. And, of course, I’m celebrating the occasion with a giveaway….
Over the last couple years I’ve had a number of readers write in or comment on the boards that they wanted pasta sauces—a Primal version of the family-friendly staple. And, well, I listened.
In fact, I created five delicious flavors in response: Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce, Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce, No-Dairy Alfredo Sauce, No-Dairy Garlic Alfredo Sauce, and No-Dairy Vodka Sauce. Serve ’em up over spaghetti squash, zoodles, or a Primal-style chicken parmigiana. The options are endless for quick weekday meals or more indulgent recipes.
And to celebrate today, I’m giving away 10 Pasta Sauce Collections—all 5 flavors to 10 winners. One collection with go to a random commenter on this blog post.
For more chances to win, head on over to the Mark’s Daily Apple and Primal Blueprint Instagram accounts. Just 1) follow @marksdailyapple and @primalblueprint 2) tag a friend, and 3) comment on one of the sauce giveaway posts about which flavor you look forward to the trying the most. Giveaway will close 9/11/19. My team will email the blog winner and direct message Instagram winners.
Enjoy, everyone, and let me know which flavor is your favorite!
The post Introducing Primal Kitchen® Pasta Sauces—and a Giveaway! appeared first on Mark's Daily Apple.
