Do You Know Anyone Possibly Suffering From A Mental Disorder?
Every day there are people all around us who suffer from one form or another of a mental health disorder. These disorders can often be easily missed or even ignored because mental health is a topic that many of us are still afraid to discuss. They are silent killers and statistics show that approximately 1 out of 5 adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder each year. What about the areas that seem to go undiagnosed? Depression, fatigue, moodiness, loneliness and eating disorders can all be symptoms or components associated with mental health disorders. Like all diseases, treatment is necessary and available as a cure for many of these symptoms.
While some do seek help by reaching out to a psychologist or psychiatrist, many feel it is a badge of shame to admit they struggle with their own mental health. There are homeless people that suffer in silence with diagnosable mental disorders. There are people in jail or prison that landed there due to a mental illness verses a serious crime. Some women are known to suffer from postpartum depression after childbirth while other women suffer during menopause. We have to shed light on this issue and help those who suffer to get the help they need without shame. There are also those who struggle with dementia and Alzheimer’s, which affect the brain and memory loss; also diagnosed as mental illness.
May is set aside to help bring awareness to the issue of mental health disorders. The California Black Women’s Health Project believes there are 5 necessities to help achieve better mental health. They recommend hydration, eliminating sugary drinks, proper nutrition, less stress, deep relaxation and movement. When we break all of these five areas down, much of it goes back to basics. We need to make sure we are drinking plenty of water to flush our systems, be mindful of what we eat and consume in our bodies, avoid stress as much as possible and exercise to help release negative toxins while keeping our bodies in shape; and finally connecting with our faith or pausing to be still and meditate helps with not only our mental health, but also our overall lives.
The five necessities discussed above are a great place to start and for some it may be all that is necessary to help them overcome their issues. However, for others it might be necessary or important for them to seek professional help. There are various outlets where people needing assistance can go to get help. It is important to understand what type of help you may need to get the proper support. If you just need someone to talk to that can help you sort out things, a counselor may be enough. On the other hand, you may need the help of a trained psychologist or if you have a chemical imbalance or need medication you may need the help of a psychiatrist. The key is to find the right source that can help you get the right care.
The main thing to understand in all of this is that there’s no shame if you have a mental disorder. If you’re experiencing depression, fatigue, moodiness, loneliness, can’t sleep, eating too much (or not enough), or if you feel like something is wrong and you don’t know what to do or how to explain it, then start by talking to someone you trust and make an appointment with your physician to get an overall physical. There can be light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your head up and know you’re not alone. Sometimes what we all need is just a friend that helps us find our way.
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyEnterprises.com and www.forgivingforliving.org. Wendy is a coach, consultant and speaker. You may email her at [email protected]. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Front Page with Dominique DiPrima Thursday Mornings @ 4:30am.
