Surviving the stigma's
By Traci Davis
@TraciDavis (355)
Mesa, Arizona
July 17, 2017 7:10pm CST
It's very difficult these days to actually talk about important issues. For me, I have a long-standing battle with anxiety, depression and PTSD. I have been on and off medication. I have sexomnia which was extremely difficult to open up about and found that it was more common then most people believe.
Currently I work at *will not be named* and my bossed and the "mean girls" group tend to be very rude and judgemental of so many people in the store. As it turns out, I am one of the most common people they turn to with advice about anxiety, depression, mental illness, or even just a shoulder to cry on because so many other people in the store just don't care to be sympathetic or even attempt to understand the misery.
Right now I'm going through not only a depression cycle, but I'm also a mother of two girls that are 6 years and 3 months apart in age, I'm a wife to an addict and I'm also getting ready to start testing for rheumatoid arthritis and fribromayalgia at 26 years old. I'm in remission from Graves' Disease at the moment but with everything else I'm going through, I'm probably the only person I know who is always willing to work with anyone no matter what the case.
So I wanted to answer as many questions as I can about anything I can to try and bridge through the stigma's and hopefully get some more understanding and healing throughout our world. So....any questions?????
6 people like this
6 responses
@NJChicaa (116681)
• United States
18 Jul 17
Good for you for being confident to be open about your issues. It isn't always wise to do that at work, though, where you can be judged and even discriminated or fired for those problems. I have anxiety and depression as well. I see an excellent doctor who has me on a great medication combo which has really alleviated the symptoms. He has saved my life.
1 person likes this
@TraciDavis (355)
• Mesa, Arizona
18 Jul 17
@NJChicaa I'm so glad that you got the help that you needed! Most people don't realize until it happens that anxiety and depression do actually manifest themselves physically. And the abuse is definitely a contributing factor. I have been in many abusive relationships starting with my father. I've been molested many times, raped, held at gunpoint, watched my dog get shot by a police office when I was pregnant with my first child, had her 2 months early, almost lost her becuase she was so small, and many other trials since then.
My main bit of advice is to remember that she may have not been meant for this world for long, but she fulfilled her purpose when she assisted you in getting the help that you needed. Cherish that memory and focus on it being a happy memory. You had a run in with an angel and now she got her wings back to help someone else.
Keep being amazing and wonderful.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (116681)
• United States
18 Jul 17
@TraciDavis That is a good way to way to think of it. Many people at work didn't like her because she was short and abrupt. I didn't mind it because I don't mind cutting to the chase. She took such good care of me when I was having such a tough time at work.
1 person likes this
@TraciDavis (355)
• Mesa, Arizona
18 Jul 17
@NJChicaa Sometimes, being short and abrupt is just a way of coping with their own mental health. For me, I over share (like my original post) and start shaking. Honestly I'm a bit of a chicken, and this is the bravest I've ever been in my life.
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13560)
• United States
18 Jul 17
@TraciDavis - wow, i guessed kinda close to the therapist diagnosis.
theres a lot of good in you, its just the bad that wants to get your attention. youll get through it,
1 person likes this
@TraciDavis (355)
• Mesa, Arizona
18 Jul 17
My therapist said it was a manifestation as a way to cope with the other symptoms. As for the second question, though it is emotionally and mentally exhausting at times, I feel very honored that people feel that they can come to me without worrying about being judged. The best comment I ever got was "You are such an angel, I wish I had a daughter like you."
2 people like this
@TraciDavis (355)
• Mesa, Arizona
18 Jul 17
@Plethos Absolutely. It's definitely been a challenge, but with help, knowing that I need to get the RIGHT help, and not giving up until I do, there is always hope. The biggest thing is to never give up. No matter what. I will continue fighting for me, as long as there is someone who can use my story to help themselves. (Hopefully my kids will be as receptive to the advice)
1 person likes this
@marguicha (217270)
• Chile
18 Jul 17
I admire people that are open about their health issues although I know for sure that there is not a single person that can say that nothing is wrong with him or her.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (217270)
• Chile
18 Jul 17
@TraciDavis Things are getting better, yet not fast enough.
1 person likes this
@TraciDavis (355)
• Mesa, Arizona
18 Jul 17
Agreed, there are so many stigma's though, that I think most people are afraid to talk about the issues and seek out the right help. Perhaps opening up some conversations about it would help get more understanding, respect and open-heartedness going.
2 people like this
@cmoneyspinner (9220)
• Austin, Texas
19 Jul 17
I don't have any questions for you. You've already experienced and overcome many health issues that I did not have to deal with at your age. To have to raise children and nurse a spouse who is an addict? I can't even imagine that. You write like you still have a sound mind though. Many people would break under a set of circumstances like that.
My late mother used to say: “We're all here for a reason. Nobody is on this earth by mistake.” If you can endure and then you're able to help others, perhaps that's your purpose in life.
With regards to the stigma? If there is a stigma about my mental health, nobody told me. 
Guess it's being whispered about me behind my back. 
No matter. I was just upset when I realized that answering “Yes” to having received treatment for mental health problems like depression, etc., impacted my life insurance premiums. But now I don't have any insurance. So that doesn't matter either!
You say people come and talk to you. If you ever need someone to talk to, you can talk to me. 
Guess it's being whispered about me behind my back. No matter. I was just upset when I realized that answering “Yes” to having received treatment for mental health problems like depression, etc., impacted my life insurance premiums. But now I don't have any insurance. So that doesn't matter either!
You say people come and talk to you. If you ever need someone to talk to, you can talk to me. 
@TraciDavis (355)
• Mesa, Arizona
18 Jul 17
It definitely is, but I have hope for the best. There is always a light in the darkness as long as we look for one.
1 person likes this
