What Stigma Sounds Like By Fortesa Latifi

Stigma sounds like

This wouldn’t be happening if you were stronger.

Why can’t you just get better? It’s your decision.

What is there to be so sad about? Just get out of bed.

Wash your hair. You’ll feel better.

Go to the gym. You’ll feel better.

Stop thinking about yourself so much.

While you’re at it, stop thinking so much.

People have gone through so much worse and they’re fine, so what’s wrong with you?

Why can’t you be fine?

Just cheer up. You get enough attention already.

This is the best time of your life. You should be enjoying every minute of it. Why are you wasting it?

Maybe if you spent your time helping other people you’d see what real problems are.

It’s all in your head.

It’s all in your head.

It’s all in your head.

Stigma feels like

The time I decided it would be easier to fight this alone than tell anyone and risk having them think I’m “crazy.”

Feeling “crazy.”

Not wanting to have kids in case you pass this onto them.

A hand closed around your throat so you can’t speak.

Embarrassment swimming deep in your belly.

Guilt between your teeth.

Questioning your own strength.

Questioning your own mind.

Calling in sick to work and saying you have the flu instead of admitting you cant get out of bed.

Lying because it’s easier than telling the truth.

Shame.

Shame.

Shame.

Stigma is

Damaging.

Threatening.

Close-minded.

Brutal.

Awful.

Fear-inducing.

Anxiety-producing.

Stigma needs

To end.