There is still a stigma surrounding mental health issues and in some cases this prevents people from getting treatment or even seeking help. As a result, there are many people who experience emotional distress but never seek out the treatment they need.
This post was inspired by a conversation I had recently with someone who had suffered with anxiety and depression for years. He finally reached a point where he felt comfortable opening up to me and admitting his struggles.
My hope is that this blog post will not only help others in a similar situation to better understand themselves but also raise awareness of the issue. We need to start talking about mental health to reduce the stigma and begin to eliminate the misconceptions that prevent people from getting the help they need.
I hope that this post encourages you to open up to others when you need support. This could be anyone in your life who you might feel uncomfortable approaching.
STEP 1: Understand the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Issues
Stigma surrounding mental illness stems from several different sources. First, the majority of mental health conditions are considered “diseases of the brain”, which can make them seem like a person’s own fault.
Second, the fact that mental health issues are often treated as a part of life rather than a disease of the mind makes people feel that they can’t control them. Third, our culture tends to focus on the physical rather than the emotional side of a person, so it can be easy to think that mental health problems aren’t that big of a deal.
The end result is that the topic of mental health often carries a lot of misinformation or misinformation that leads to misconceptions. For example, the misconception that anxiety and depression are the same thing is incredibly common. This often leads people to believe that there is a stigma around seeking treatment and that it isn’t important to talk about mental health.
STEP 2: Get to Know the Different Types of Mental Health Issues
Anxiety
People with anxiety feel like they are under constant threat. They feel like everything around them is a source of danger and they can’t control their own emotions or reactions. This can often lead to panic attacks and feelings of helplessness.
Depression
People with depression have thoughts that can keep them from functioning effectively or feeling happy for a long period of time. They may lose interest in things that they used to love or experience feelings of hopelessness.
Bipolar disorder
When the moods swing too quickly, people with bipolar disorder may feel like they can’t handle the stress of everyday life. They may experience manic highs followed by depressive lows. Bipolar is a mental illness that has an impact on a person’s behavior, sleep patterns, and self-confidence.
Postpartum depression
Women who suffer from postpartum depression can experience overwhelming feelings of sadness, despair, and anger. They may have trouble bonding with their baby and with their partner.