CHOICES ii-13 - Consumer Self-Stigma

I indicated a few blogs ago that I still wanted to discuss family, provider, and consumer stigma before we moved on with our CHOICES II Series.  We have since explored stigma involving members of a larger family, such as uncles and aunts, in my SharePost CHOICES II-10 submitted on 7 December 2008 and immediate family, such as parents and siblings, in my SharePost CHOICES II-12 dated 21 December 2008.  For good measure, I've thrown in stigma among spiritual leaders in my SharePost CHOICES II-11 logged in on 14 December 2008.  I've decided to skip over providers at this point because I earlier submitted two SharePosts on provider stigma.  These were posted on 28 January 2007 and 11/12 February 2007.

In this blog I want to take a look at consumer self-stigma, and to do this in an unusual way.  I present a poem below which touches on self-stigma and forgiveness.  I ask you to tell us in a comment to this SharePost what, if anything, this poem says to you.  Any observations you care to make will be of value to all of us.

WARD 7N

In a white paper cup,

On a green plastic tray,

They bring capsules of hope

That keep my demons at bay.

They record all my cries,

Measure all my tears,

And think they understand

My debilitating fears.

They're an illusion I know,

A reflection of my terror,

For when I turn around,

No one is there.

This deception is my own,

The only way I know

To live with the horror

That permeates my soul.

While I long for peace,

These fears may persist,

For all my pain is proof

That I still exist.

So there is yet this chance,

For as long as I remain,

That compassion will overtake me

And love forgive the pain.

* * *

Please remember, this writing reflects my own experience and opinions.  If you, or a loved one, are experiencing the symptoms of schizophrenia, or any other mental illness, you should seek professional assistance.