I'm always amazed at the breadth of “emotional wellness issues”, a.k.a. mental illness, present in our society. Recently, at a social gathering, I was speaking with a young man who told me he was quite anxious about things. Over the next hour it was evident that his anxiety caused problems for him, both in his personal life and at work. Despite this evidence, he said he knew how to "manage" it. I mention this because whenever people talk about "mental illness" they often are embarrassed about their pain and trouble coping. And people listening go into a sort of contortion with their face, shrink away like they might "catch" something, or simply don't engage in the conversation out of fear and ignorance.
Severe anxiety is classified as mental illness and, like many other mental illnesses, can interfere with living a full, enjoyable life. If you live with someone who suffers anxiety or panic disorder, you know the angst they feel, and you’ve seen how that person’s life – and the lives of everyone around them – is altered in various ways to accommodate the person's illness.
The fact is many, many people suffer from various mental dis-eases which cause significant problems in their lives. Consider the man above. His inability to socialize with ease and constant worry prior to going to social gatherings cause him ongoing distress. Since he was not currently seeking "help," I offered to send him some information he might find useful, including therapists specializing in cognitive behavioral strategies as well as visualization. Mental illness can improve with attention, just like any other illness or medical condition.
Later that week he thanked me. He said he gets so wrapped up in himself and his problems that he forgets there are people and resources out there that could ease his anxiety and improve his life. I think that is true for most of us. Yes, there’s a lot of support out there, and many good people just waiting to help us feel better.........
Comments