Holistic Bonfire

Suruchi Saini, MA, LPC, CCTP, TMHP, CYT

Anxiety

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Mental Illness – Is it a stigma?

Serenity

Mental illnesses can present themselves in myriad ways and at differing ages. Some people may exhibit behaviors typically associated with autism as a small child, while others may not show signs of being affected by the disorder until adolescence. Some people may enjoy sober lives for decades, but once they have their first taste of alcohol, they discover they have an addiction for it and a subsequent dependence on it.

Some disorders, like dyslexia and epilepsy, are more highly correlated to genetics, while others, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and postpartum depression, are generally considered to be effects of environmental factors.

Regardless of the type of affliction or the age of onset, most mental illnesses have at least one thing in common: they carry a stigma.

The website, www.dictionary.com, defines stigma as “a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one’s reputation”.

According to studies conducted in 2014 by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, 18 percent of adults in the U.S. suffer from a mental illness. The lengthy list includes anxiety, insomnia, Tourette syndrome, claustrophobia and a wealth of other issues that can be immensely debilitating.

More than 9 million American adults are affected by some mental illness to the point where their work lives and social lives are greatly inhibited.

On the positive side, treatments have shown to be successful for 60, 70 and 80 percent of people who suffer from schizophrenia, depression and Bipolar Disorder respectively.

However, less than a third of people with mental illnesses receive treatment.

If treatment can be so effective, why do the majority of people with mental illnesses not seek it? In a word: stigma.

Many people with mental illnesses believe they will be called “crazy”, and they fear repercussions like job loss and the cessation of relationships that are often accompanied by such a diagnosis and subsequent label.

The notion that mental illnesses carry a stigma is real. According to the aforementioned study, citizens not diagnosed with a mental illness commonly see those with issues in a negative light. More than 40 percent say a person with a history of mental illness should be excluded from public office, and that same percentage thinks major depression is “the result of a lack of will power”. More than 60 percent believe the way to treat major depression is to simply “pull yourself together”.

With survey results like these, it is no surprise that few people seek help. The mere act of seeking help acknowledges that a problem might exist, and that acknowledgement alone can be as disruptive to someone’s life as the mental illness itself.

The best way to help combat the stigma associated with mental illnesses is to understand that mental illnesses come in a variety of forms, and they affect people of all ages, ethnicities, economic levels, social status levels, backgrounds and upbringings.

It is also essential to realize that, in the majority of cases, treatment is effective and should be sought.

For further information, please go to NAMI, DBSA, NIMH, SAMHIN, and SAMHAJ.

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Are you restless and overwhelmed but have no idea why?

Relaxation

There’s a high chance you’re suffering from anxiety internally even though you are functioning fine externally. Stop living the dual life and working hard for two people when you have energy and resources only for one.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is state of feeling emotionally and behaviorally frustrated, restless, overwhelmed and tense. Most of us suffer from at least one symptom of anxiety such as lacking the ability to focus, having disturbed sleep, having a fear of failure, lacking the ability to socialize and to have positive relationships, etc.

How is anxiety manifested?

Self-doubt sets in, and maintaining personal, professional and social relationships becomes challenging. It becomes easy to forget minor and major things, and blanking out frequently occurs. This leads to an inability to retain new information or readily learn new skills.

Physical issues start to occur, and there is typically an increase in migraines, headaches, back pain and exhaustion. Breathing often becomes irregular, and sometimes digestive issues can set in.

Emotions become tenuous as well, and sensitivity to criticism becomes heightened. Living a contented life is no longer possible.

Common disorders related to anxiety:

  • Generalize Anxiety Disorder (GAD): The act of worrying about almost everything in life, even without any specific reasons. People who suffer from GAD may frequently visit the doctor, complaining of multiple ailments, but test results yield nothing.
  • Panic Disorder: Having surges of very intense fear—at least one attack a month—without stimuli. Some examples of attacks are a pounding or skipping heartbeat, chest discomfort, trembling, hot/cold flashes, breathlessness, sweating and numbness.
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Having unwanted thoughts, images and impulses that must be acted upon like washing hands, cleaning, checking locks, re-arranging furniture, over-exercising, etc.

What can be done?

We don’t have to live with these symptoms, nor do we have to suffer with the frustration of not achieving personal and professional goals. We don’t have to doubt ourselves and our potential simply because we are unable to access it again due to anxiety, and we don’t have to agree with others who say we can’t be successful.

I’m fully aware that eradicating anxiety is a process and will take a considerable amount of time and effort. The earlier we start, the better. We can make small changes and move at a gradual pace.

Over the years, I have seen people make huge changes by investing only a small amount of time, say, two to four hours per month. Many clients have mentioned that reaching out for help and spending about two to four hours per month has been “one of the best investments of time and money”.

I believe we all have the potential, intelligence, wisdom and resources needed to achieve our goals. Due to our own limitations, however, we’re unable to explore them. Once we do, the sky is the limit.

To reach the sky, you must fly—carefully but fearlessly. Anxiety is one of the biggest hindrances to being fearless, so get rid of it as soon as possible.

If anxiety is plaguing your life and holding you back, you can diminish your suffering by investing only two to four hours each month. Those few hours might be the most beneficial to your overall happiness and well-being.