Mental Health and Positivty - A New Beginning

There are plenty of mental health blogs, most focusing on what can go wrong and how to fix it.  Why not focus on the positive side of the illness?  I've decided to take a different approach in how I look at not only my mental illness, but what I write about as well.  We need to see the best thing when seeking stability and a way to handle most illnesses is to focus on positivity.

 I received the diagnoses of  Bipolar Disorder with psychotic features, Anxiety and PTSD.  In the past 20 years I've tried endless medications, treatments, seen therapists and hospitalizations.  While the doctors mean well and are good at what they do, we are responsible for our health and treatment. 

Yes, I take my medication, I won’t stop that because it helps keep me stable, but I know that is not the total answer.  It is time for a new focus and a more positive way of looking at this illness many feel will take away our life.  It won’t, often it will give you more than you ever imagined.   

When the focus is on the positive and we discover our talents, our life becomes one of joy and stability. I hope you will join me on this journey of discovery and wellness.  

D is for the Many Faces of Depression

We all feel it at one time or another, the feeling of sadness and hopelessness; to a point it’s normal phase of life.  Different situations affect us and we go through a period of time where it seems nothing can go right.  For some,  however, that feeling doesn’t go away, lingering for days and weeks at a time and interfering with everyday life.  The most important aspect of depression is for those who live with the illness and more so for those who do not  is to know that it is not a sign of weakness or being negative, it is a legitimate health issue and treatable with medication, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes.   

Depression is not as clear cut as many may think there are many faces to depression and I want to touch on a few of them here.  The diagnosis of the type of depression is critical is finding the right type of treatment.    

Major Depression is the illness that is most commonly heard of.  It is characterized by a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, loss of weight, or weight gain, a feeling of being sleepy most of the time, a feeling of worthlessness, trouble concentrating and thought of suicide.  Five of more of these symptoms must be present for at least two week for a diagnosis of Major Depression.  Once you have a diagnosis, your doctor can then begin to work with you on the best way to treat your illness. 

Persistent Depressive Disorder:  This type of depression follows the same pattern of Major Depression, however, the symptoms must be present for at least two year.  This would be considered Persistent Depression and is treated with medication and therapy. 

Bipolar Disorder:  While it mimics the symptoms of depression, there are also periods of extreme highs, called manic episodes.  The most important thing here is to use medication to stabilize the moods swings, these are called mood stabilizers.  Anti-depressant is not commonly use with Bipolar Disorder because they tend to increase the chance of a manic episode.  

Seasonal Affective Disorder:  This is most common during the winter months when there is less sunlight and the days are shorter.  Major depression occurs during this time and is treated with anti-depressants and light therapy.  Light therapy is most common and requires the person to sit in front of a natural light box for 15 to 30 minutes a day.  

Psychotic Depression:  This is a diagnosis of major depression which includes with it symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.  Anti-Depressants and Anti-psychotic drugs are used to treat this type of depression. 

PostPartum Depression:  This has also been known as the “baby blues,” and occurs in the weeks and months after the birth of a child.  Anti-depressants and therapy are known to help with this illness.  

Situational Depression:  While there is not a technical term for this type of depression, but it hits all of us at one time or another when a stressful event occurs in life.  The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, divorce or any occurrence that makes you feel unsure of yourself and the world around you.  Therapy is the most common treatment for this type of depression

As you can the illness of depression is not cut and dry, one size fits all type of illness.  There are many facets and anyone can fall under one or more diagnosis.  The more we talk about depression and mental illness the more we can come to understand that it is a medical condition and that 1 in 4 people live some sort of mental illness, most often you do not know who it is.  

B is for Barriers #atozchallenge

One of the biggest challenges (no pun intended) I have found with blogging for this month is that  there are numerous choices for each letter, I may end up having to write more than one a day.   The one that jumped out first this morning is barriers.  Yes, we all know those things we do or don’t do that keep us from accomplishing tasks, but all too often for those with mental illness it that stubbornness that leads to additional problems, though they may not be seen right away.  

In an article titled, Barriers to Mental Health Treatment: Stigma or Self-Sufficiency?, The reasoning behind this practice is looked at more closely.  It is an assumption that stigma would be the first reason why people do not seek treatment, surprisingly it ranks at number four, self-sufficiency is the top reason.   There is a profound belief that mental illness can be handled without doctors, medication and other treatments.  I can disagree with them because I have done that myself.  It took me almost seven years to realize that I could not take care of this my way; I believed I knew better than anyone else.  Eventually I realized I  had to look for help in other places and trust that the doctors I turned to would be able to guide me to wellness in a way I had been unable to do on my own. 

Another side to the self-sufficiency decision is all too often the inability to find the right doctor and medicine cocktail.  These two factors are probably the most common reason why treatment is cast aside.  I cannot begin to tell you the number of medications I have been on, over the last 18 years I have tried more medications than I could name.  Few have worked; however, many more have left me with side effects that I would not wish on my worst enemy.  The last one landed me in the emergency room with stroke like symptoms.  It was at that point that I told my psychiatrist; I was done with medications, and if I was to be treated, we had to find another way.  Her response, she referred me to another psychiatrist who has become a godsend, and we are using, ECT (Electro-convulsive Therapy) and TMS (transcranialmagnetic stimulation) to treat my illness along with CBT (Cognitive-BehavioralTherapy) with my Psychologist.  I still take two medications, and for now; it seems to be the right plan for me.   

We are taught as children to be self-sufficient, to find the answers on our own and follow a different path, we have to understand though that there are times when looking for a treatment alone is not the best plan.  Persistence is the first course of action and for some, it can take years, but when you find the right doctor, medications, and treatment it makes all the difference in the world.     

Additional reading:  What prevents people from seeking help 

In search of Mental Health Treatment

167 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are more days than not when it feels like a version of mental health Russian roulette, try this medication, talk with that person, why can’t you just get over it?  It is the song that is most heard by anyone who has had to navigate the mental health system, or tell someone about their mental illness.  You never know what you are going to get in return and all sometimes it is not what we need. 

The stigma that comes with mental illness is what draws people away, when all we need is for someone to be close, to love us and comfort us when the skies turn so dark we can no longer see our way.  We are told it will pass everyone get sad, or you’re exaggerating it’s nothing.  I get down often too, and I don’t act like that.  It amazes me in this day and age people are still so closed minded about how the brain works; it is easier to condemn the person seeking help, and actually listen to what they are saying. 

I blame the media for much of this; we are portrayed as monsters, evil and those who should not be part of society.  It is the case with each tragedy that happens, a shooting, for example; the first word out of the media mouth is he was mentally ill and this what happens when someone with a mental illness is around.  So if I was to walk into a business would they kick me out because of my illness?  I’m waiting for that day to come, discrimination and profiling at its best.

I find one reason for the lack of treatment  many receive is the medical community itself.  While many will do their best to receive treatment and have a stable life through medication and therapy, locating a doctor to provide the treatment can be difficult at best.   I had received a list of doctors my insurance company had approved and over the period of two days, I called every one of them.  One had passed away; one would not see me. 2 or 3 didn’t know why they were on the list.  The last one on the list said they would only see those who lived in the same area code!  That one blew my mind, and I actually sat with the phone in my hand for several minutes in disbelief. 

A call into the insurance company was no help, they said they couldn’t change it, and if I find a doctor how would be willing to see me and take the insurance then it would be OK.   In the meantime, I sit here, share my thoughts and try to find the gold at the end of the rainbow.  It’s a daily battle to keep my head above water sometimes; my medication has stopped working, and sleep has become a distant memory, yet even with these cries for help, there is no answer from the medical community. 

I am part of an online support group, the best place I have found for support and to talk with those who understand where I am coming from and my frustrations.  Without these people, I would not make it through some days, I know that no matter the time of day or night someone is always there to calm me down, listen to my fears and cry with me if needed.  

I have thought often of finding an island where we can all go to live, there would be proper healthcare, medications that work and people who truly care and want us to thrive in this world.  It is a dream and I know not reality, but there are days when it is far better than the alternative. 

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