Alphabet Soup Stigma

Alphabet Soup Stigma A multitude of letters bob and undulate as I stir the soup. I gaze confused when I notice the letters haphazardly merge together…Magnetized letters repel and pull together. Slowly familiar acronyms form. PTSD, GAD, BPAD, MDD, and more. I recognized DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) acronyms. My feelings are mixed. Why does society still shun and stigmatize people diagnosed with these letter formations? Or, has society finally learned that mental health disorders are chemical imbalances? Am I understood and accepted as I am? Am I stigmatized? And by who? Yes, unfortunately, it goes without saying. Sadly, my professional mental health co-workers and colleagues are the worst. You'd think they'd be more supportive… No, unless you are a published author or a recognized expert in the field. Yet, are these published and expert consumer providers stigmatized by their professional co-workers and colleagues? Probably… It's more likely society will come around before the professional mental health co-workers and colleagues do. You'd think it'd be the other way around. Other chemical imbalances aren't stigmatized… Why is that? It's in YOUR head!!! We're still trying to figure out the answers. Sherry Barton May 10, 2024