stigma (stig′mə)…
1) something that detracts from the character or reputation of a person, group, etc.; mark of disgrace or reproach…
2) a mark, sign, etc. indicating that something is not considered normal or standard…
LIVING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS IS TRYING ENOUGH, YET WE MUST ALSO CONTEND WITH MENTAL ILLNESS STIGMA.
In 1994, major depression took over my life and held on tight for over 9 years.
I was in hospital more than out, medication resistant and told my only hope was ECT. That didn't work either. Thankfully, a new doc stepped in and put me on the correct meds. I am now working again and moods are stable. Couldn't have survived this without the support of my hubby of 32 years.
I am now able to return to my passion: writing.
It is not the intention of this blog to provide specific medical advice, but rather to provide readers with information to better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. For specific medical advice, please consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions.
Born July 13, 1942, Chicago, Illinois… What many of his fans do not realize is that the future Indiana Jones was far from the tough guy as a child. He was shy and often beaten up by his peers. Taking a stance of non-violence he refused to fight back, instead keeping the anger inside himself for years. During college he did not fit in, finding the school too conservative for his tastes. He began exhibiting typical signs of depression, such sleeping long hours, missing classes and struggling to keep up with his studies. He later said of his time at college, "The kindest word to describe my performance was Sloth". Due to his failing a philosophy class during his senior year, he was expelled from school. Notoriously private about his life, Ford has not personally characterized this period of his life as one of depression, but has confessed to being painfully shy until his junior year of college, when he signed up for a drama class and overcame his fears.
In 1982, after she and John Astin had separated, Patty was finally diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. She said receiving the diagnosis was a huge relief - that she never heard two better words than "manic depressive." Lithium became her savior.
In 1985 she and Astin were divorced, and in 1986 she married Michael Pearce, a military man who had been hired to prepare her for a role. Her autobiography, Call Me Anna, was published in 1987, and a book on bipolar disorder written with medical reporter Gloria Hochman, A Brilliant Madness, in 1993.
William Martin Joel, better known as Billy Joel. May 9, 1949, Bronx, New York. In a book by Hank Bordowitz entitled "Billy Joel: The Life and Times of an Angry Young Man" it was revealed that Joel has battled for years with depression and alcoholism and tried to commit suicide by drinking furniture polish. He is quoted as saying, "I drank furniture polish. It looked tastier than bleach." Prior to the attempt, he left a suicide note, which later became the lyrics to "Tomorrow Is Today".
Howard "Howie" Mandel was born on Nov 29, 1955 in Ontario, Canada. He is a stand-up comedian, actor, and famous for host of TV game show “Deal or No Deal”. In October 2008, on the show “Regis and Kelly” he revealed that he has (OCD) and (ADHD) and working to raise adult ADHD awareness. Mandel also has mysophobia (an irrational fear of germs) prompting him not to shake hands with anyone unless he wears latex gloves. He is a big advocate of mental illness awareness. “We take care of our dental health, but not our mental health. We go to the dentist for x-rays when there’s no issue — when we feel perfect. But we don’t get a mental health check-up, because there’s a stigma involved.”
Robin Williams is a comedian, born on July 21st, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. He rose to fame with his role as an alien on “Mork and Mindy” TV series. Winning many Academy Awards for his role in movies, he has also won Grammy and Screen Actors Guild Awards, as well as, Golden Globes. Also, he was voted to the 13th position out of 100 Greatest Stand-ups of all Time in 2004. A comment made by Williams' at the 1986 Academy Awards never saw him hosting the event again. Although there is not enough evidence to support that he suffers from bipolar disorder, they argue that manic depression was behind the performances in many of his movies. Almost always the comedian in movies, he has played serious parts also. 
Virginia was a brilliant author, penning some 10 novels, numerous short fiction and non-fiction, as well as, autobiographies. However she was the victim of depression and drastic mood swings, later diagnosed as Bipolar Disorder. Relapse after relapse eventually led to her death in 1941. Virginia drowned herself by weighing her pockets with stones and walking into a river. Her body was not discovered until one month later.
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