Mental Illness
MENTAL ILLNESS
Mental Illness is a sickness of the mind.
It’s the sickness that rarely crosses our minds,
yet, it covers a wide range of conditions of the mind
and there are no specific preventions for this disease.
Mental Illness can be a personal issue,
a relationship issue, a family issue, a social issue.
It is disturbances of personality, character and behavior.
Disturbances that cause personal unhappiness,
difficulties in personal and family relations
and behavior that breaks the rules of society.
Mental Illness is a medical condition.
A medical condition that has many types,
affecting moods or emotions, thinking
and/or behavioral problems functioning
in school, work, family and social activities.
It can be caused by biochemical imbalance
that can be present at birth,
by accidental brain damage from injury to the head
or hardening of the arteries that harm the brain cells.
Mental Illness occurs throughout the world
and affects all socioeconomic types.
Although millions of people suffer from it,
this illness is still stigmatized.
Currently, some people are opening up
with certain types of this disease,
like depression, substance abuse, anxiety;
but there are still more people in denial
and will not talk about this illness.
Why is it still considered a taboo,
when mental ill persons are sick people,
just like sick people suffering from heart disease
or any kinds of physical diseases?
Why be open about physical illnesses
and not the mental illness?
This illness, like the physical illnesses
can be inherited or may develop
overtime during our life.
Just like physical illnesses, mental illness is treatable.
Just like physical health, mental health is important.
Physical health is the epitome of our physical well-being.
Mental health is the foundation of moods
or emotions, thinking and behavior.
Mental Health plays a significant role in the ability
to adapt to change and to cope with adversities.
Mental Illness can result in difficulties in functioning,
adapting, coping, getting along with others
and the ability to live a useful life.
Mentally ill people may be confused,
unhappy and uncertain about themselves.
They may not know about their illness
because they blame others for their behaviors.
They withdraw into their own make belief world,
unaware what goes on around them.
We are in the twenty first century
and they are still being shunned
by their families, by the communities.
So they and their families can be in denial
living in a lie that nothing is wrong, like being normal
when they need help, support and direction.
There is nothing to be ashamed about this disease,
as it affects millions of people.
There is nothing wrong to ask for help
for there is no prevention to this illness,
it can strike anyone, anytime
and is beyond anybody’s control.
They should ask for help and support
to be able to function, adapt, cope
and live successfully and independently,
to be able to have well meaning
personal and family relationships
and to be able to be part of society.
There is nothing to be ashamed of
and there is nothing to be afraid of
to get all the needed care, help and support
because mental illness is not anybody’s fault.
5/1/21
Written in 2020
Published in a book in 2020
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