We are starting a conversation about mental illness.
Where do I start? How do I know where I fit into this mess of the mind? Should I talk about it at all?
Mental illness is a topic that is tough to talk about.
So I did on the podcast.
Episode 2: How Mental Are You?
That is what the podcast is for, to talk about things that are hard to talk about. Since it is Episode 2 and I am still learning, it is a bit choppy, and the sections are all over, and you can hear the bird in the background. It is natural, though, right out there. I have an issue with editing because if I keep doing it, there would be a beginning and end and nothing in between.
Welcome to mental illness, the conversation that has to go past a simple sentence. You have to commit to that conversation.
You can't just say, "Hey, I have a mental illness," and leave it there. You have some explaining to do. People should not fill in the rest because you will be avoided or come off crazier than you are.
Although I discuss mental illness on the podcast, I would put some more information here and some resources.
Why is it so hard to talk about mental illness from both sides of the fence?
Mental illnesses may be caused by a reaction to environmental stresses, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, or a combination of these. In addition, mental health problems may be related to excessive stress due to a particular situation or series of events. Mental illnesses are often physical as well as emotional and psychological.
There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness. Some of the more common disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders.
www.mhanational.org
What is some mental illness?
ADHD
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Depression
Dissociative Disorders
Eating Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizophrenia
RELATED CONDITIONS
Anosognosia
Dual Diagnosis
Psychosis
Self-harm
Sleep Disorders
Suicide
There are five major categories of mental illnesses:
Anxiety disorders
Mood disorders
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
Dementia
Eating disorders
It's important to remember that each condition can vary significantly from person to person. https://share.upmc.com/
These conditions can alter your ability to relate to other people, work, and attend school, preventing you from living an everyday life. In addition, different types of mental illness offer different experiences, and symptoms may vary from person to person, even when they share the same diagnosis.
All mental illnesses share this in common: they are associated with significant distress or interfere with a person's ability to function.
www.healthyplace.com
Stigma makes you silent and alone.
Everyone knows a little about mental health issues, but knowing the facts can help you educate others and reject stigmatizing stereotypes. They are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. Understanding mental health isn't only about being able to identify symptoms and having a name for conditions but dispelling false ideas about mental health conditions as well.
https://www.nami.org/stigmafree
Types of Stigma
Stigma is when someone negatively views a person because they have a mental health condition. Some people describe stigma as a feeling of shame or judgment from someone else.
The stigma associated with mental illness can be divided into two types: social stigma, which involves the discriminatory attitudes that others have around mental illness, and self-perceived stigma, which involves an internalized stigma that the person with the mental illness suffers from.
It has been found in a long-term study that this sort of internalized stigma leads to poorer treatment outcomes.
A review of studies on the public stigma of mental illness shows that it is still widespread, even as the public has become more aware of the nature of different conditions. While the public may accept a condition's medical or genetic disposition and the need for treatment, many people still have a negative view of those with mental health conditions. Stigma harms the 1 in 5 Americans affected by mental health conditions. It shames them into silence and prevents them from seeking help.
https://www.verywellmind.com/mental-illness-and-stigma-2337677
Even though most people can be successfully treated, less than half of the adults in the U.S. who need services and treatment get the help they need.
The average delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention is 8-10 years.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 15-24 and the tenth leading cause of death for all Americans.
Educating is excellent; reading about it is okay. So talk about it now, even if it is the hardest thing you do.
