Manan, who is unable to follow his emotions and actions in response to his situation, is irritable and rebellious all the time.
People around him were concerned about his changes in behaviour, and he was concerned too he exhibited symptoms of anxiety disorder, for which he was encouraged to seek treatment, but he refused to deal with the pragmatic situation or opinions arising out of his not – so – good – mental – health.
‘Kya main pagal hoon? Log Kya kahenge?
Do these above statements hammer your thinking and working pattern of your brain?
If so, then I would like to enquire why?
What makes you feel vulnerable talking about your brain when you can talk about your body with ease?
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health is associated with the healthy well-being of the mind.
A healthy mind is a wealthy mind. We often come across sentences like ‘there is no such thing as mental health’, ‘who says our mind needs care’, ‘are we mad’?
We equate mental disease with insanity, thus people who suffer from it are labeled as crazy, mad, and so on.
But is It what mental illness is?
Mental illness means an illness that is, caused in our mind due to stressful conditions or experiences, unwanted or un- pleasurable consequences of an event which leaves the person to feel agitated, stressed, depressive, etc.
When we speak of mental health the only thing which strikes my mind is the stigma attached to it.
Stigma is a conditioned negative response to mental health or illness that we as an individual face in society.
2 main types of stigmas.
1. Self-Stigma
When you impose negative thoughts on yourself, this is known as self-stigma.
The self-mental disease is worsened by demeaning ideas, which causes the condition to worsen.
2. Stigma in the public eye
This occurs when the general population imposes stereotypical and misconceived notions on mental health.
Harmful Effects of Stigma on Overall Well Being.
1. Increased feeling of Hopelessness.
2. Lower level of self-esteem
3. Worsening of the symptoms
4. Inability or difficulty in dealing with social relationships
5. Irritably and swirling concentration
How One Can Deal with The Stigmas of Mental Health.
1. Spread Awareness - Talk to people about the issues and sensitivity surrounding mental health. There is no shame in admitting or accepting that you have a mental disease.
2. Equal treatment of your body and brain - just as you pay close attention to physical symptoms of diseases, paying close attention to the brain and its ill-functioning will help you understand your wants and overall self.
3. Deliver compassion - Be there for whom there is No one.
4. Flaunt about your mental health – speak about what makes ‘You’ and ‘Not Them’.
5. Be honest about treatment – normalise mental health treatment, just like other health care treatment.
6. Remember you are not alone – when it comes to mental health the research suggests out of every illness 14% of the population is bound to suffer from mental health.
7. You aren't your disease. Don't let your sickness define you, as it might for others. Say 'I have schizophrenia' instead of 'I'm schizophrenic.' Language has a lot of power.
8. Don't accept everything - don't trust in unpleasant opinions and suggestions because they are opinionated and subjective.
9. Do not design labels and taglines
If you are willing to help a person suffering from mental health the very first thing you can do is to understand his/her condition instead of labelling them as ‘bipolar disorder suffer’, ‘anxiety patient’, he is mad, etc.
Stigmas around mental health are going to perpetuate but we as educated individuals we need to understand that our role is to encourage mental health and discourage the stigmas that comes along.
When you decide to seek help, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bakshi.
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