May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and with that being said, I would like to give a little enlightenment to the layman who maybe isn’t affected by any identified “disorders.”

The top four that are most prevalent and pervasive are (exactly as I guessed):

1) Anxiety disorders, 2) Major depression, 3) Post traumatic stress syndrome (or disorder), 4) and bipolar disorder. Interestingly enough, only the bipolar disorder is due to chemistry. I firmly believe that the anxiety disorders, the major depression and the post traumatic stress syndrome are all (essentially) caused by the fact that our world has changed so much and so quickly. Ages ago, we would see “change” but we would have time (before more change came) to adapt and process and then, finally, acclimate. The last twenty or so years, change occurs so fast it has, literally, caused PTSD because, as humans, we weren’t created to adapt quickly, but rather “gradually.” We have reached the point of turning “numb” to the brutality of the “fast forced pace” and, like robots, everyone tries behaving as though it is all fine and normal. We tell ourselves it is all “progress,” when in fact much of it is an attack and destructive to humanity.

Around 19% of adults in the U.S. have anxiety disorders which can take the shape of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias or obsessive-compulsive disorder. All these conditions enable the patient to focus on something other than the toxic world they are forced to occupy and very easily understood. Their symptoms distract from perpetual disappointment in people or events.

Approximately 8% of adults in the U.S. reported having, at least, one occurrence of depression (in recent polls). This disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, inadequacy and loss of interest in just “living life.”

Almost 4% of U.S. adults experience PTSS which is a disorder that can develop after a traumatic event OR slowly after a life full of unrelenting disappointment in people, events or both. A being can only endure so many “out of control” events or episodes in their life before it takes its toll.

Nearly 3% of U.S. adults are plagued with bipolar disorder. This one has always interested me, and one day I will dedicate an entire column to this, at some point, as I would love to see what (if any) progress has been made with conventional and alternative managements. My heart goes out to any and all who suffer from this, and I’m praying there is good news on the horizon for this affliction.

The negative and unfair stigma that accompanies mental health patients mostly and probably is based on fear. Years ago, patients were separated from society. Due to the abusive and cruel treatment received in many of the institutions, they are now among us and, depending on the severity of their symptomology AND whether they adhere to their med cycles, it can be a fearful thing, SO, the negative stigma is more or less unavoidable, to a degree.

I contend also that many prison inmates are there due to undiagnosed blood chemistry imbalances whether it is something as simple as low or high blood sugar, acute shortage of the B-Complex vitamins, or even an overactive thyroid that has gone untreated for people who can’t afford wellness checkups.

As well, there are many who have pent-up rage. This is a result of their experiencing emotional or physical trauma and then not talking it out (with a friend, relative or professional) and then just trying to “bury” the experience. Emotional trauma doesn’t just disappear like bad weather, it needs to be processed and the residual feelings explained, then understood, and to realize that we all are simply not “super beings!” The effects of rage can be life changing and long lasting for the target, be it mental or physical assaults. Many who have rage issues defend themselves by saying, “It only lasts a minute; I get over it quickly!” And to that I say,” So do tornadoes and many results from that are permanent and irreversible.”

Mental health issues should not be treated or looked upon as any different than someone who has contracted any physical disease. For more general and specific information, contact the local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

It is wonderful to be back with my favorite audience. Please do not hesitate letting me know if you have a special subject of interest I can research and report on for you!