Mental illness - All in your head, Or is it ?

The World Health Organization states : Health is a state of complete physical , mental and social well being and not just the mere absence of a disease . But all we worry about is our physical health . We tend to forget the other two aspects that need to be kept well checked to lead a healthy life . We get a flu , we rush to the doctor . But when someone says, he has been feeling low for quite sometime , we just say lets get a drink . As much as alcohol is bad for our body , it can also never be the solution for our mental problems . Unfortunately , even in the 21st century with such advancements in all fields , mental well being still remains an unknown subject to many .

• What is the problem ? 

Mental illness comes in many forms and shapes . There is depression , obsessive compulsive disorder , anxiety , anorexia , bullemia nervosa , bipolar disorder , schizophrenia , dementia , substance abuse and addiction , ptsd etc . Most of the times, these do not develop in a day . They result from a neglect towards our mental health for a long period of time . But the question is why do we neglect our mental well being even when we are suffering from within ? The fear of getting judged and not understood even by the closest person is the biggest fear that stops people from coming out with their problems.  The society has taught us to make fun of a person who is mentally ill . We try to put everything under cover when it comes to this . The enormous expectations to be a perfect person according to society's norms is another risk factor to add to the list . A person does not need to get a stressful life event to develop mental illness . It can be a small things that can add up to a huge problem . Another thing that we forget , much like cough and cold , a mental illness can occur in any age group and among any socioeconomic group. So completely denying the presence of any issue with a child or a teenager is a huge mistake . Mental illness is also not a "Rich Man's disease".

• How does it affect us ? 

There is nothing to be ashamed of mental illness . But letting it thrive can have disastrous impacts . As Aurthur Fleck aka Joker quoted : "What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash ? YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE ". Denying the presence of a mental illness has given rise to suicides,murders, rapes, divorces, substance abuse etc . We have lost lives that could have been saved , had we shown a little more care .

• What to do next ? 

Let me give u a simple task . Before going to bed each day, ask yourself : AM I SATISFIED WITH MY LIFE ?
For most of us and most of the time the answer is going to be NO. That is okay . That gives us the fuel to work harder . But if all you have is negative thoughts about yourself , then let me remind you my friend , there is no shame in coming out with your problems and seek help . Face the devil in the eye and fight it . It is hard for them so as a society we should be more accepting , more humane and try to help the needy and not put a cover over it .
With the lockdown getting extended further , it is going to be even harder on each one of us mentally . Just go ahead and seek help . Mental illness can be cured just as much as any other disease . It is not a crime .

May being the mental awareness month , lets get a little more updated on the side we fear to explore so much . We have always been said " A healthy mind resides in a healthy body ". But never have I  seen a mentally ill patient with extremely good physical health .