Anxiety & Shame: Breaking the Stigma

Many people who suffer from anxiety do so silently. Shame can be the main cause of this pain. In most societies, the attitude associated with mental illness can foster stigma and discrimination towards individuals with mental health problems. Openly talking about it to their family and peers could lead to exclusion and isolation.

Stigma definition in the Merriam-Webster dictionary states, “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.” Do these definitions really dictate a person’s worth in our society regarding mental health? I sure hope not. If so, how can we change this?

I recently read an article posted on Jenn Reviews. The article points out how mental illness affects children, adolescents, and adults from all walks of life, but this is not often talked about due to stigma. Why is that?

Stereotypes can be a factor as society views people with mental illness to be violent, homeless and institutionalized. On the contrary, “the majority of adults with a mental illness are not violent, institutionalized, or home bound.” Many people with anxiety worry about a mental health diagnosis as feelings of shame can be the main reaction as well as helplessness.

The article shows how meditation and other modalities can help reduce stress, improve symptoms of anxiety and aid in empowering yourself through these practices. It’s a great article so make sure you visit the link above for further reading.

Photo credit: Caleb Woods