| There is a serious problem in the world today. Well, | | | | incredible. So many people think mental illnesses or |
| there are a lot. But the one I would like to address is | | | | personality traits are 'all in your head,' and not literally |
| how we react to mental illnesses. How many people | | | | speaking, but as though we make it up. But people |
| out in the world react to hearing of a mental illness | | | | need to realize that mental illnesses and personality |
| with negativity? There are a lot more than will admit | | | | traits are real. Just because you do not always see |
| to discrimination. | | | | scars, or see those with such illnesses and traits |
| It is a terrible thing to discriminate against anyone for | | | | going for surgery, or being told they have three |
| a lot of the things that are stigmatized, such as race, | | | | months to live, does not make them any less real. |
| creed, mental illnesses or personality traits. Many | | | | We need to raise awareness to these issues, and |
| people struggle with such discriminations everyday. | | | | address them with open minds. The best way to |
| We as humans should have learned by now that we | | | | start this, in my opinion, is to learn about them. Talk |
| are all the same, but we haven't. How many of us | | | | about them. If you know someone with a mental |
| with mental illnesses have withheld that information | | | | illness or personality trait, talk to them. Don't |
| from people, even friends or family, for fear of | | | | discriminate. I've seen OCD (Obsessive Compulsive |
| discrimination? I know I have. And I know many who | | | | Disorder) treated as though it is contagious. I have |
| do. I have had many people ask me what is wrong | | | | seriously been asked if Bipolar Disorder is contagious. |
| with me, or wonder why I can't leave the house | | | | Yes, it is, right up there with hiccups. |
| some days. My answer is usually that I have a | | | | Racial matters have been an issue almost since the |
| headache, a killer migraine, and I can't leave the | | | | beginning of time, as we developed in our different |
| house. Why? Why do we tend to make excuses for | | | | lands, and it is still an ongoing issue. That goes the |
| our actions, or lack thereof? Because of the | | | | same for discriminating against religion or sexual |
| reactions. | | | | orientation. Look at the discrimination. Now, |
| I once had someone say to me, 'Watch out for that | | | | personality traits and mental illnesses are starting to |
| person, they are schizophrenic.' Now how fair is that? | | | | come out of the closet. So, how do you plan on |
| That's like saying 'Hide your cake, he's diabetic.' When | | | | addressing them? |
| people find out I'm on medication, the looks I get are | | | | |