The unsung mental illnesses

So the 10^th of October, world mental health day, did I remember? Sadly not but then I was far from alone. I feel the vast majority of people, even those with mental health issues didn’t remember it either and although I think it a good thing that we have such celebrations/ reminders; am I too bothered about the fact I didn’t remember? No and why should I be.

But then world mental health day is about awareness of mental health, good and bad and just because I suffer from bi polar disorder doesn’t make me feel I should have known and been out there on the campaign trail telling everyone about the day. But maybe it should. The day is hailed as being about raising public awareness about mental health http://www.mind.org.uk/news/7532_wasps_support_world_mental_health_day  however  I’m not really sure I know of any of the events that were going on although that may have more to do with my situation than anything else. Certainly it seems people are getting on board with it, here at two reports of successful events. http://ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/index_124591.htm http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/local/art-trail-promotes-mental-health-1-4368414 , however it’s not quite the same as race for life or PRIDE.

So what has this got to do with unsung mental illnesses?

Well it seems to me that actually it is only a certain proportion of people who are made aware of the 10 Oct and many of those will be people who are intimately involved in this area and that actually this needs to grow because although those who have come to understand their own needs and problems are aware, the rest of the world is somewhat less well informed and after 20 years it is still very much a low key affair and the same could also be said for many mental health problems, in fact many issues would not even make it on to most peoples radars as being a mental health issue. Now this awareness isn’t really helped by the fact that mental health is ever expanding but still it seems that physical health expansion doesn’t seem to have been affected in the same way.

This year’s theme ‘Depression: a global crisis’ may have provoked the growing trend and chatter about depression however much as I wish that were the case I somehow doubt it. That many campaigners have been pushing the theme I don’t doubt and to some success but this trend to talk about depression seems not to be to do with world mental health day at all. And although depression is far from understood and is one of the most prevalent mental health problems I would much rather the theme had been about something less well known or something less well accepted as a mental health issue.

For instance eating disorders, http://www.priorygroup.com/Personal-Site/Mental-Health-and-Addictions/What--We-Treat/Eating-Disorders/Statistics-for-eating-disorders.aspx Responsible for more loss of life than any other form of psychological illness and research from the NHS information centre showed that up to 6.4% of adults displayed signs of an eating disorder (Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, 2007). Please note that this survey estimated the numbers from a questionnaire and is not necessarily people with a diagnosed problem. Is hardly spoken of and it’s small rise to fame because of Diana (Princess of Wales) and other American celebrities in past  years seems to have fallen by the way side yet if that survey is anything to go by the problems certainly haven’t.

 This survey also gave estimates for common mental disorders (which includes depression and anxiety) of 17.5%, 3% for post-traumatic stress disorder, 4.9% admitted to engaging in self harm, 0.4% psychotic disorder, both borderline and antisocial personality disorder were estimated at 0.4%, 8.2% attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 3.9% alcohol dependence (not to be mistaken for alcohol misuse which was estimated at 24.2%), 3.4% drug dependence. That just goes to show that actually an awful lot of people do not have depression but do have something else

 In the case of eating disorders am I wrong to suggest that most people associate them with lack of food and therefore really thin people and is it possible that the growing problem in obesity is linked to peoples mental health. Well it is estimated that of those with eating disorders:

 •10% of sufferers are anorexic,

 •40% are bulimic, and

 •the rest fall into the EDNOS category, including those with binge eating disorder. (Eating disorder not otherwise specified)

 http://www.b-eat.co.uk/about-beat/media-centre/facts-and-figures/  

However obesity of itself may have nothing to do with an eating disorder however with the ever growing number of unhappy teens you might wonder whether it is really about an unhealthy diet and exercise plan? Especially since it seems that eating disorders are linked to low self-esteem, emotional coping problems and stress.

It may sound like I would have everyone who was obese having a mental health problem that in fact everyone is mentally ill. Well no I wouldn’t and I am very aware that weight gain and loss is a healthy part of life in moderation but for some it becomes a problem and I would rather people consider for themselves how they approach eating, exercise and the balance they have than sit by and think I’m okay Jack because I’m not that fat or that thin. Staying a health weight although and indicator that you are okay does not get at the reasons and motivations behind what and how much you eat or how much or little exercise you take and it is this that the trouble arises. I wonder how many people ever really think about their habits unless it has become a problem. I would rather people start to think about it now before it becomes a problem. In short know thyself, what is it that you do.

And just for the record…get me stressed and I like nothing better than a whole packet of biscuits, chocolate cake or several Chelsea buns. Of course there are lots of other things that I do to including not sitting still and exercising to exhaustion (well not quite) and most of the time I considerthat my life is not dominated by either so I think I’m okay. I would wish that others ask themselves because there was a time when I was not so good and I’m not sure that I was as okay as I am now and nobody asked me so I didn’t even think about it.