Dealing with the Stigma of Mental Illness, Vol. 482, Dec. 28, 2018
This is something that is very close to my heart since I have a history of having bipolar. Many years ago, even after I was stabilized, there were too many times when family and friends would use the phrase “you are manic,” when the truth was that I really wasn’t. It was more because they were afraid that “the other foot would drop”, since I was treated for this illness for so many years. It got to the point where I told them that until or unless I hired them to be my psychiatrist, they could not use that word, because they had no idea what it even meant, which was in fact true.
If you are a person who has been labeled with a mental illness, I want you to use that same phrasing with the people in your life who think that they have a better idea of what is going on with you, then you do – especially if you are already in therapy, or getting help in some way for your diagnosis. This is called a ‘firm boundary.” And, no, they will not like that you are being assertive in how people relate to your diagnosis, and you don’t care. The suggestion that I make to my clients is to tell the people in their lives to speak about any behaviors that may be putting up red flags of concern for them, and leave it at that,
Now, there may come a time such is true in my own case, when you no longer have the symptoms that were used to diagnose you, in which case it is best to stop talking about this part of your life, and move on to those things that your truly care about doing, being with people who love and respect you without judgement. Because people can heal from many of these diagnoses if they so choose. In fact, many times it has much more to do with limiting beliefs as was true in my case, or not metabolizing the amino acids from the foods that are eaten to make the neurotransmitters to keep one emotionally stable.
There are also traumas that many people go through that need to be desensitized and cleared to allow one to let go of the depressed and/or anxious feelings that are ruining their quality of life. This is something that I do a lot of work in, and it is miraculous in helping people heal and move on to happier, healthier lives.
Never allow a person to treat you as less than they. And, never allow a doctor or psychiatrist to treat you poorly either, after all, you are the one paying their fees (or the insurance that you have.) If you feel that they are not listening to you, or treating you differently as in stigmatizing you because of your diagnosis, call them on it and move on to someone who will treat you like the thinking feeling person that you are, period.
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About Suzanne
Suzanne Kellner-Zinck founded Dawning Visions Hypnosis in 2002, She has become an innovator in the use of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming in the areas of obsessive compulsive disorders such as: eating disorders, sexual addiction and substance abuse as well as working with those with anxiety and mood disorders.
Her clients have come to work with her from across the United States and as far away as Africa to help them to finally be freed from these emotional issues that once ruled their lives. Today she is in the process of bringing her work to many more in the form of ebooks and other downloadable formats.
She is a member of American Holistic Medical Association and the American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Prior to founding Dawning Visions Hypnosis, Kellner-Zinck worked within vendor programs for the mentally ill working to help them to live up to their fullest potential. Many of her previous clients were able to move out on their own and find fulfilling work.
Kellner-Zinck is a Certified Trainer of Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic programing through Tad James Company, Inc. and a Master Hypnotist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Advanced Neuro Dynamics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and political studies from Curry College.
Dawning Visions Hypnosis is teaching people that they can indeed leave their unwanted behaviors behind as they move forward to living fulfilling and joy filled lives.