A Mental Health Conversation

I started a discussion post on yesterday regarding mental health and mental illness.  I just wanted to share that everyday “common” folk can have some form of mental health/ mental illness at any given time.  Some forms of mental illness are: Anger/ Aggression, Anxiety Disorders (to include fears of...), Mood Disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, cyclothymic), Psychotic Disorders (schizophrenia), Eating Disorders (excessive weight gain, anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating), Impulse Control (pyromania (setting fires), kleptomania (stealing), gambling, alcohol consumption, drug consumption),  Addiction Disorders (gambling, alcohol consumption, drug consumption), Personality Disorders (antisocial, obsessive-compulsive, and paranoid), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (ritualistic behavior; fear of germs), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (traumatic events-sexual, physical, unexpected death of a loved one, or natural disaster (fires), Stress Response Syndromes (Adjustment Disorders) (caused by stressful events), Dissociative Disorders (split personalities), Factitious Disorders (intentional lies about physical or emotional symptoms so they can appear to need help), Sexual and Gender Disorders (sexual dysfunction, gender identity disorder, and paraphillias), Somatic Symptom Disorders (feels pain even though doctor can't find a reason), and Tic Disorders (involuntary/uncontrollable sounds or body movements).

In light of there being so many events of racism, stereotypes, and death (unexpected).  I felt the need to address and identify and discuss topics regarding mental health.  Regardless of how perfect we may think we are or our life is.  We have all experienced at least one day of depression, feeling anxious, and/ or wishing/ hoping for a better life or better life’s circumstances.  With that being said, we all have mental health issues.  Most choose not to let the negative mental health issues consume us and shoot for positive life experiences on a daily basis.  However, there are others who may not be as fortunate.  We can’t ostracize these individuals because they may not have the courage or strength to push past their irrational thoughts which leads to true mental illness.  There are some individuals who have superb support systems which ensure that their loved ones and friends are not allowed to wallow in their “funk.”  Then there are others who no one really cares about.   

As a society, we have become cruel and callous, not caring about the next man (until it benefits us).  Part of my purpose and God-given assignment is to remind people that they are valuable and that they have worth.  I am not too good to meet people where they are.  I have sat in the best of homes and I have sat in the worst of homes and at neither time did I make anyone appear uncomfortable or that I was being judgmental to their situation.  I have always ensured that I offer solutions to make the situation better if they presented their issue as a problem.  You never know when the shoe will be on the other foot.  Always treat people with kindness and the way that you desire to be treated!  My prayer is that we be able to have discussions within our communities regarding mental health/ mental illness while finding solutions and supporting those (with resources) that are less fortunate than we are.  Doc