Must read - Glenn Close: Mental Illness: The Stigma of Silence

[Faygo Kid]

This is brilliant, and a must read. She is just the best:

Mental illness and I are no strangers.

From Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction to Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire to Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Weber's Sunset Boulevard, I've had the challenge -- and the privilege -- of playing characters who have deep psychological wounds. Some people think that Alex is a borderline personality. I think Blanche suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and everyone knows that Norma is delusional.

I also have the challenge of confronting the far less entertaining reality of mental illness in my own family. As I've written and spoken about before, my sister suffers from a bipolar disorder and my nephew from schizoaffective disorder. There has, in fact, been a lot of depression and alcoholism in my family and, traditionally, no one ever spoke about it. It just wasn't done. The stigma is toxic. And, like millions of others who live with mental illness in their families, I've seen what they endure: the struggle of just getting through the day, and the hurt caused every time someone casually describes someone as "crazy," "nuts," or "psycho".

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glenn-close/mental-illness-the-stigma_b_328591.html

[Forkboy]

1. Great piece.

I'm pretty open about being bipolar, but I know a lot of people who aren't because of the stigma still attached to it.

Thanks for posting this.

[Faygo Kid]

2. You're welcome. And everyone at DU needs to read this. I just love her.

She is absolutely genuine. All the best to you. I am fighting my own demons, but am not giving up. By a long shot.

[lightningandsnow]

3. This is amazing!

I have moderate-severe generalized anxiety disorder, but sometimes the stigma surrounding it seems like a greater impediment than the anxiety itself.

Thank you so much for posting this. :hug:

[Faygo Kid]

4. You are welcome, and all the best.

We can stay safe, together. I too am facing tough times but expect to prevail.

[Dr Fate]

5. At first glance, I thought it read "Glenn BECK" n/t

n/t

[saracat]

8. LOL. So did I !

[jellen]

6. Mental illness

In no way is being called crazy etc. the worst thing about mental illness. It's never knowing if it will ever be over. I went to a support group for families with mental illness and got no hope at all. And the ill person totally rejecting love you offer is hurtful. The best thing one can sometimes do is to be there and to pray all the time.

[kimmerspixelated]

9. I have recently read that

the brain needs certain nutrients to fight depression, that the imbalances are just like in the body. Brain health can be reversed or greatly helped. There is a doctor on PBS that specializes in brain health. I want to say Mark Hyman, but I am not sure of his name.

I think the last thing some folks need is to be on psychotropic type drugs. Maybe lithium and seratonin are okay because they are natural substances found in the brain. I know Omega-3 in its purest forms do a lot to help, and anything that aids to reduce the fire of immflamation helps as well. The body and brain are interconnected in a big way. Just thought I would pass that along.

[yowzayowzayowza]

7. K&R.

[FlyingSquirrel]

10. It's all fun and games till the bunny gets hurt.

;-) Ok sorry, sorry! Don't all pile on at once.........

[Vidar]

11. K&R

[Faygo Kid]

12. Thanks. Agreed.

This is a good one.

[Stand and Fight]

13. Bookmarking for later. n/t

[spiritual_gunfighter]

14. Hey I was just about to post this myself but saw you all ready did.

So thank you for posting this, I think this is so important. I suffer from bipolar disorder, I was diagnosed in 1986 and spent 7 months in a locked down institution at the age of 14. Treatement for mental illness back then was arcane and my experience in the hospital was abusive and something that took years for me to come to terms with. I spent the better part of 3 years locked in my room in my parents house in my late 20's, afraid to go outside and afraid of everyone and everything.

Through the right medication and therapy I am now a functioning and productive member of society. I rarely think about my disease now and if you met me you would never know what I have gone through. I am often saddened by the way Hollywood and the media in general portrays people with mental illness. The stigma that is attached to mental illness is harmful not only to those who suffer with mental illness but it affects people from coming forward who need help.

I work as an advocate for mental health issues in my community and serve on my county board for mental health. I wanted to get involved and very much want those that are still suffering in silence to not be afraid of getting the help they need. Thank you for posting this insightful piece.