More a symbol of validation for me. For years my parents told 13 - 16 year old me that I was “acting crazy”, or would threaten me with the loony bin.
3 stays in the loony bin and 7 meds later, I’m validated. They finally believe me.
I suppose I’m open about it because I accept that it’s a part of me, and I’m elated to have validation after being told I was making things up for most of my adolescence. Now, at 22, I can shout from the rooftops that I’m damaged, and it’s not holding me back from law school. It’s pride, but for a different reason than just lookhowbrokentm