An Undeserved Stigma

At the time of me writing this, so many innocent people are scared for their lives and the lives of those they love. Something that is heartbreaking to me is that many who survive awful circumstances are judged for the scars that they bear. I’ve encountered so many people professionally who have been shamed, abandoned, and made to feel less than as a result of their mental illness. Something that many don’t seem to pause to understand is that mental illness can be the mark of a survivor who has endured awful things and managed to still be here. The stigma aimed towards those with various mental health challenges is often undeserved and overlooks the great strength they've displayed to endure.

There will be two primary audiences for a post like this. Those who are being judged and those judging. That said, there are some who fulfill both roles of being judged but also judging others or even ourselves. Many of the top stigmatized mental illnesses involve mistreatment from various people, often those closest to us, who may have taught us to hate pieces of ourselves. My goal here is to attempt to provide some reassurance to those who might need it while encouraging others to see the strength where there is struggle and to lead with compassion.

Some of the most stigmatized conditions include Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Schizophrenia. Although each of these are quite different, to be diagnosed with any of these suggests that the individual has been through hell and has endured. Often they have chosen life even when their support systems did not give them what they needed. Many that I have had the fortune of working with have been written off immediately as a result of having one of these diagnoses. They were seen as that label first and foremost. The strong, capable, and resilient soul they were was overlooked, creating more shame.

To a lesser but still significant degree, those experiencing depression, ADHD, or anxiety are often made to feel that the way they have adapted and responded to their environment somehow makes them lesser. I ask that anyone who ends up reading this tries to acknowledge the resilience that someone with these diagnoses has displayed to be here and be working towards better after experiencing such hardship. If you are someone who judges yourself for how your body responds, please consider giving yourself some grace and acknowledge that you are more of a survivor and bad ass than you likely give yourself credit. Each of those conditions can be successfully managed and a great life with a loving support system is achievable. You deserve that good life.

Written by Dr. Luke Bieber on August 15, 2025