The article addresses the shame experienced by individuals facing mental health challenges, particularly from actions taken during manic or depressive episodes. It emphasizes the importance of separating one's behavior from their identity to alleviate feelings of shame. The author shares personal experiences with a severe condition, advocating for honest communication about past behaviors and the importance of grieving lost relationships. Support groups and counseling are highlighted as vital resources for healing and understanding that such behaviors stem from mental health conditions, not the person's character.
"To deal with that shame and the regrets, I needed to separate my behavior from who I was. I needed to understand that my behavior was driven by this condition."
"Letting myself grieve about the things I went through and the things I lost helped me do that. Being able to talk openly and honestly about what I did...was important to getting through the shame."
Collection
[
|
...
]