Mental Health. While commonly talked about, the concept is still very foreign, especially to older generations. Everyone has had some sort of run in with their mental health. Maybe last week you had a bad day but you can't stop thinking about it. Or you continuously made yourself anxious for no reason at all. Obviously, some mental health is more severe than others. When gone unchecked, it can create many more issues further down the line. That is why mental health needs to be talked about more and should be the forefront of the occasional deep conversation.
Personally I have had my fair share of mental health hiccups. Being diagnosed with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) at ten years old was definitely not my plan. And it especially was not my parent's plan either. What many might talk about is the effect of mental health, not only on you as a person, but on the others around you. This can be scary. It might make the people around you feel hopeless or out of control, even going so far as to blame themselves for your mental misfortune. That had happened with my parents. And while I cringe frequently at what made myself anxious as a child (like death and vomit), they were valid fears that my ten year old brain obsessed over and led to me washing my hands to the point of cracking.
My parents had to watch this. They had to watch their little girl cry at night because she was afraid to sleep. And while I wanted to be normal, I just wasn't. My parents also felt very alone at this time since they had to explain what was "wrong" with me. Until we realized that others thought just as I do. Nearly 2.2 million adults are affected by OCD in the U.S. alone. Even more specific, one-third of adults experience first symptoms as children. One in four people in the world will be affected by some neurological disorder at some point in their life.
When hearing the word "disorder" you may feel intimidated or scared. Being told that you have a mental health disorder is not a great feeling. But, a mental health disorder is not permanent. It is something that can evolve better or for worse with time. So if you are experiencing mental health issues that seem like they are too much to bear, I strongly encourage you to reach out to someone for help. While you may feel like you are underwater now, someone is on the surface reaching a hand out to you to help you pull through.
Hi Sarah
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post. As the mother of an OCD child I know what your parents and you went through. I thought it was very brave of you to post your struggles. Be well and well done.
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteMental illness is a big part of society today, including any illness. Health issues are so common in the world today and everyone in their life at some point has to experience one. Not everyone has the perfect life, or perfect anything. There will be something that catches them off guard, or something won't go their way. The ages in today's world is most likely 18 and older, as for young adults or older adults. About the average 26% of American is diagnosed with a mental illness every year. Your personal story is amazing and I am so proud of you to share something like that but it's normal, it's life.
I think that your story is very relatable. I somehow did not end up realizing or being diagnosed with depression and anxiety until I was an adult. I never realized the way I felt was abnormal, and that being happy was something I did not feel very often. I think when people like you share their stories and try to get the word out that mental illness is not only real, but prominent in many people all across the world. It needs to be treated like an illness, not just someone who is just a little different. Thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteI really like that you cover this quite heavy subject as it is really important. A lot of people suffer from mental illnesses and disorders. I think disorder is a better word often time as not a lot of people have serious mental health issues just "unfinished business" as a therapist has told me before. I do agree though that it can be very scary and daunting to hear those words.
ReplyDeleteHey, Sarah. Your new entries are looking pretty good. You present some interesting topics and comments, and you have some good content development; you are working to create significance for your audience to connect and relate to. As you write your entries, don't forget about rhetoric, the lead in, and the sign off. Good visual appeal. Keep editing carefully.
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