Do you fight stigmas or do you suffer in silence? As you go through life, you may face medical conditions or social situations that have some sort of stigma attached to them. More often than not, the stigma is a result of fear—fear of what the disease may do, fear of catching the disease, fear of being ostracized or ridiculed, or fear of not being believed. Consider, for example,
• AIDS
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cancer
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Discrimination
• Divorce
• Hate crimes
• Job loss
• Juvenile arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rape
• Sexual harassment
Fight stigmas you face. Begin with self-care. Be good to yourself and challenge the stigma of any unexpected transition you face. You will transition more easily to a healthy new beginning if you:
• Find your voice. Talk about your circumstances and your transition.
• Seek help. Build a support network of trusted family members, friends, or colleagues based on the kind of transition you are experiencing.
• Explore your options and resources. Find online information. Read self-help books. See a therapist or a coach. Check out community resources, etc.
• Join a support group that addresses the kind of transition you are experiencing: AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, death of a family member, diagnosis of cancer, divorce, job loss, MS, etc.
• Keep a journal. Write down your thoughts and feelings during this transition. You don’t even have to share what you write for this process to be effective.
• Meditate every day to calm your anxieties, fears, and worries.
• Embrace courage and remember you are not alone.
You don’t need to suffer in silence just because of the stigma attached to an unwanted or unpleasant change that is suddenly a part of your life. As you find your voice, you can help others find their voices. In doing so, you won’t feel so alone. The supportive relationships you create in your life today are investments in your future life success and happiness. Find the courage within yourself to speak up as you face life’s changes, challenges, and subsequent transitions. You can overcome stigmas, be a survivor, and thrive as an outcome of your transition.