Mental Illness Awareness

Mental illness

A condition which impacts a person’s thoughts, feelings or mood and may affect his or her ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis. (nami.org)

Upon walking into a hospital room, one looks around and their senses are immediately engaged. Sight. All around are white walls and white floors which are almost too squeaky clean. Smell. The smell of latex gloves is pertinent. Sound. Nurses are whispering behind the desk. Families celebraating a patient’s recovery. The tick-tock tick-tock as consistent as ever. Touch. Sitting and waiting in the routinely cleaned, stiff chairs. Upon looking around, a room is easily spotted. Family and friends gather around a patient. The “get well soon!” balloons, though slightly deflated, continue to float. The flowers already starting to wilt. It is a common scene… for physical illnesses that is.

When someone has a mental illness, this is not the scene which we often see. Mental illnesses are not seen externally; they are hidden, they control one’s mind, daily actions, every thought, and every move. Some control what a person does or does not eat, others control whether or not a person even has control of their own life anymore. They can take over their rationality, influence their decisions.

There are many types of mental illnesses, but rarely are they acknowledged. They are made out as something to be ashamed of; people feel the need to hide them, this is often because of how society has treated them. Maybe they opened up before and were put down. Maybe social media has proven that most people don’t have enough knowledge about mental disorders. Maybe they have been bullied.

The general public, at least the teen population, does not understand how a mental illness works.

Eating disorders

noun

serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact your health, your emotions and your ability to function in important areas of life. (mayoclinic.org)

Anorexia

Anorexia is not a ‘look’ nor is it a description. Someone who looks thin cannot immediately be called anorexic, they cannot be labeled that way. The stereotypical image of someone who has anorexia is an extremely thin teenage girl. However, this is not always true. Guys can also have eating disorders. Heavier people could have an eating disorder. Mental illnesses are exactly how they sound; they are mental. Side effects of anorexia can include hair loss, thinning nails, and weight loss. However, these are the side effects, they are simply the physical aspects; one cannot be diagnosed simply by how they appear.

An eating disorder is far worse than its side effects. Initially a person may have decided that they wanted to lose weight, but once the disorder takes hold, they begin to lose control. In the case of Anorexia, they cannot eat, they often do a lot of cardio. They often do not realize that something is wrong with them, if they do they are unable to stop it. Others begin to notice the declined meals and excessive exercise. Even this does not always stand true, there are no constants with an eating disorder. Other eating disorders are no exception to this.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is not just someone going to their pantry, on an empty stomach, and eating a lot of food. Most often, it is a person over dieting, attempting to lose weight. They restrict too much, one day they crack, they binge. It is not simply indulging a little too much. However, it is (in many cases), going to the pantry and having an inability to stop eating. One eats until they are sick, and physically are no longer able to eat. The next day they are ashamed, guilty, and full of regret; they restrict, unfortunately, this is not the worst of it. It reoccurs over and over; it is a continuous cycle.

Bulimia

Bulimia is a mental disorder in which one binges, followed by a purge. They are unable to stop eating and soon feel guilt from their binge. They feel guilt and disgust; they make themselves throw up.

The cycle stands true for Bulimia as well; binge, purge, restrict, and repeat. This is mentally dangerous, but also physically.

The often occurrence of vomiting causes serious health issues, these include tearing the esophagus, dehydration, metabolic issues, and tooth decay… just to name a few. Even with recovery, not all of these physical side effects will be fixed; this stands true mentally as well. There will still be triggers and times which one falls back into their old bad habits. They will have a mental scar forever, one which no one can see but will be infinitely felt. They will have to fix things which their mental illness broke.

If they had an eating disorder, they often have to work to have a healthy relationship with food again. They have to fight to stop seeing food as only a number of calories or a nutrition label. They have to work hard to regain the ability to enjoy a night with friends without worrying how much they eat. Depression is similar. One spends so much time disliking their body and what they have become; they have to fight to love them self again. They will also remember all of their feelings and experiences. Even with time, these will never truly go away.

One girl who went to rehab for her Bulimia said “When I’m already stressed out and working hard in recovery, and people tell me ‘just eat, it’s so simple’ I just feel worse.” Some just do not understand that it is all mental.

This stands true with most mental illnesses; depression, anxiety, eating disorders… you name it and it will likely remain true. The memories and struggles will carry with that person for their entire life.

These illnesses are mental. They may have physical side effects and cause health issues, but ultimately they are mental disorders. Other mental disorders are shown less on the outside, this does not make them any less real.

Anxiety Disorder

One mental illness which I find many people to not be knowledgeable on is anxiety. It is commonly confused with the average stress. A source described it in the following way;

“Some days I feel so overwhelmed that I am unable to function. I am unable to control how I feel. When I try to discuss it with friends or peers, they try to relate; ‘oh yeah me too! I am so stressed; I don’t understand this topic, or, I am not ready for that test’. I understand this. They either think that I am only speaking of stress or they think that relating to someone will help.”

Relating to someone does, in fact, help. However, it has to be to someone with the same, or with a similar, disorder. The average person does not quite understand, since they have not experienced, the severity of an anxiety disorder, or any mental disorder for that matter.

Anxiety often, but not always, causes a racing heartbeat, a tingling in the fingers. It multiplies every worry infinitely. Situations which should be manageable become seemingly impossible. Thoughts become blurry and jumbled. All other stressors are brought up; problem after problem pop into that person’s head, race through their mind. Although some people may know this and be aware of what it is, they may never actually understand it. I know what cancer is, what cancer does; I do not understand what it is like to have cancer, to go through chemo, or to be that sick.

One may know about something, without really understanding it.

Social Anxiety

Among many types of anxiety disorders, one is social anxiety. A common misconception is that a person is simply shy. They do not like social interaction, or they are just weird. They often have people telling them to interact more, saying they won’t regret taking a chance. They get asked why they are so quiet, why don’t they take more chances…? In reality, they take a lot of chances. Even going out with groups of newer people is uncomfortable; their heartbeat begins to pick up and it takes everything in them to refrain from crying or yelling or panicking in some way. Social anxiety is like being in a crowded room, yet feeling completely alone. Many feel so alone for so long, and are often also diagnosed with depression.

Depression

Although depression has many side effects, in a way, it also is a side effect.

Depression is a side effect of many mental, and even physical, illnesses. Depression is more than just sadness; it has been described as feeling like drowning. Spiraling into a black hole with no escape. Others describe it as feeling completely alone yet surrounded by people. Depression is more long term and serious than just a few days of feeling down; it could go on for years or for all of ones life. The only thing that may change is how they cope with it, how well they learn to deal with it.

It is extremely difficult to live with, one girl wrote “Depression is something that will make you feel like you have no reason to live, it makes you believe you’re worthless. When I say it feels like I’m drowning it’s as if there’s darkness all around you and you’re just stuck trying to get out of it, but you never do. Whenever people ask you what’s wrong, to be honest you don’t even know the answer, you realize what’s happening but you don’t have any real reason as to why you’re feeling that way. Which is why a lot of people just tell you to ‘cheer up’ or ‘get over it’ when really, that’s not how it works. It’s one of those things that never really goes away, you just learn how to control it better and you get stronger than it so that you can push it into the back of your mind. But it’s still always there waiting for you to break again.” The source, age 20, has been dealing with depression, among other mental illnesses, for years now.

Bipolar Disorder

Some confuse Bipolar Disorder, a very serious illness, with random short term happiness and sadness. Happy and sad are not quite the right words to describe it. The happiness feels untouchable, the person feels as though maybe they will be okay, in fact, they will be great. Sadness is not at all the right word; they experience suicidal thoughts and depression. Someone could feel great for months at a time but wake up one day and want to end their life. It is taken more lightly than it should be, I think this is mainly due to social media. I see people joke about it, using it as an insult even. Bipolar is not an adjective, you can’t say “I am so Bipolar today” as a joke. That is disrespectful to those who suffer with it every day. Bipolar disorder is serious, it ends lives.

When it does not actually take away one’s life, like many other mental disorders, it still has the power to take one’s life.

Ed’s take away the joy you feel from going out for ice cream. With anxiety, fun events are no longer fun. Social gatherings make one miserable. Depression makes getting out of bed harder than anything. It makes facing the day seem impossible.

Mental illnesses threaten everything one has ever known; their happiness, academics, social life, and much more. Those whose lives are not actually taken, are still affected in a very deep way.

Many people do not really understand mental disorders. That does make sense; if they do not have one then how could they understand? Well, they can’t. Not truly; they won’t ever experience lost control of eating habits nor will they live through anxiety attacks.

I am not asking people to understand; I get it, unless you have it, you cannot truly grasp it. What I am asking however, is that people try to understand. That they make an effort to know what mental illnesses really are. I am asking for people to stop making jokes; they are not at all funny. People do not make fun of cancer patients nor diabetics… yet they often don’t think twice about making jokes on mental health. Even today I overheard someone making a bipolar joke. This needs to stop. I only ask that people are more aware of the pain that others may be enduring. I ask that they do not label every thin girl as anorexic. That anyone crying is not labeled as weak. I am only asking for people to watch their words; they hurt.

The average human says more or less 20,000 words a day; they talk to countless people. Do you really want to use your words to hurt others? You have a say in this world, you could have an effect on other people’s lives. Don’t you want it to be a positive one? Next time you are about to speak negatively, think. Just take a few seconds and think. Who could you effect? Who could you hurt? Even more importantly, who could you help?

I ask you to be more understanding of those around you. To be more conscious of your actions. All I ask is that you think before you speak and that you educate yourself.

There are many more mental illnesses, I have chosen to just touch on these three because of stories I have read or people I have met.

Below I have listed sources, both factual pages and personal stories, which I hope you will take the time to look at. It only takes a small amount of time to become aware of these disorders, to become knowledgeable. I am asking you to stop stereotyping others, to see the unseen, to stop with the jokes and the rumors. I am asking you to be knowledgeable about mental illnesses.

Statistics

Mental illness in general: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/mental_health_disorders/mental_health_disorder_statistics_85,P00753/

Eating disorders: http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/

Anxiety, and its various types: http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders

Stories

Schizophrenia.

Can you imagine hearing voices? Seeing things that no one else can see? Can you imagine constant paranoia and confusion of what is real and what is fake? Most people cannot fully understand how that would be. For someone with Schizophrenia, this is their reality. They are not always violent or dangerous, this is another stereotype. However they do often look around, always checking to make sure no one is following them; always afraid that someone is out to get them. There is not much knowledge of this disorder, how it works, how someone gets it, or how to treat it. More and more medical research is being conducted to search for a cause and treatment. This disease not only greatly decreases quality of life, but is also known for ending life. Schizophrenics often have paranoia and depression. They are not very open, as they believe they can trust no one, so it is hard to predict when they will attempt suicide.

Nearly one third of Schizophrenics commit suicide; this does not even count the attempted suicides. Let that sink in, nearly one third die from an illness which many of us do not take time to even learn about. Many think these people are just crazy, others think they are just violent. However, their thoughts and actions cannot be controlled. It is a mental illness, it takes control.

The sister of a Schizophrenic: https://medium.com/the-lighthouse/he-is-not-inmate-af5159-bc0856e8bca2

Eating disorders hurt all kinds of people, stop stereotyping: https:[email protected]/i-have-an-eating-disorder-45545d3ae61c

Being knowledgeable about mental illnesses and being able to help those with mental illnesses is very important. There is no right or wrong way to act, but here are my suggestions…

Do’s

· Be there for those who you know are struggling

· Look at for them, make sure they are doing okay

· Try to understand and help them

· feel open to sharing with others about your own mental illness. One of the previously mentioned sources said “I ended up getting the courage to tell my best friend, and turns out she was struggling with self harm herself which I never knew until then.”

Don’ts

· Make jokes about mental health

· Take ones suicidal thoughts or words lightly

· Say they are overreacting, or that others have it worse

· Tell them that their illness is not real