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