Why are people apologizing for having Depression?? I'm an Advocate for Mental Illness Stigma

Hi, I'm Deb and have a huge passion for writing, poetry, blogging, designing/writing inspirational and motivational quotes, writing children's books AND I also struggle with depression and PTSD (post- traumatic stress disorder) for sexual and emotional abuse.
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Can you imagine apologizing or feeling like a burden for having a mental illness?? or depression? Would you feel the same way if someone had cancer or heart disease? Think about it.

I'm a blogger, have been since 2005 and started my blog "Living in Stigma" in 2007 to advocate and hopefully educate society on the effects of Mental Illness Stigma. I struggle with both mental illness and chronic migraines, and with news articles, social media, research and valued readers sharing comments and opinions on my blog, it’s a reality that invisible illnesses such as fibromyalgia, lupus, headaches, recurring back and leg pain, and so many more are also a vast portion of invisible illness stigma.

There appears to be a link, in numerous situations, where people are also experiencing chronic pain, as well as, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, a connection to PTSD or feelings of suicide. They/we sit in isolation, put on a fake smile, and don’t want to feel as if we are a burden.

Mental illness is neither one’s weakness, a character flaw nor one’s fault, however, we regrettably live in a society laced with Stigma.

I not always serious! Love reading and I spend too much time on the computer and my doggie, Emma, gets pissed off at me! And, I've been married for over 38 years to a wonderful guy who puts up with my migraines and blogging research!

Hope you enjoy my posts, you all appear to be an interesting and welcoming group of posters :)
Deb.