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MAKING IT BETTER: When Do You Know You Need To Get Some Help?

By Gloria Ogunbadejo
Thursday, October 4th, 2018
2 comments

Have you heard the expression you don’t have to be mad to have mental health problems? Well it is true and this is the case more so than ever in today’s fast paced society that we live in. Over the past few weeks you might have noticed I have laid emphasis in paying closer attention to people we have around us and having strong support systems. With all the pressures we are under, the unrealistic expectations, the responsibilities we have to bear, the self inflicted stress we put ourselves under, it’s no wonder many of us simply lose our way and lose touch with reality. In fact, it’s a wonder not more of us our floridly psychotic…..Then of course more of us might be on our way to that and unaware of it. Thankfully most often than not for many of us this period is temporary, we recover and get back on an even keel. Unfortunately for many others this phase may be prolonged. Depression can present in many different ways. Many times a person won’t or can’t always realise what may be happening, particularly if the problems appear to be physical rather than mental. Below are some tell tale signs. This list is not exhaustive by any means

 

  1. Out of control: When you can identify in yourself behaviour that has become self-destructive. This could be a vice that you already have or one that you have recently adopted that has taken a hold of you. Things such as drink, drugs, reckless spending habits, various other internet addictions.
  1. Dishonesty/Delusions of grandeur: When you live your life on lies. Telling lies without batting an eyelid. Fabricating stories about your life to make yourself feel better, embellishing your achievements or lack of them. When the truth becomes blurred and you eventually are unable to tell the difference.
  1. Taking a bleak, pessimistic view of the future: When you are unable to think of anything constructive or positive to say or do. When everything or everyone in your view is unpleasant and that is your position day in day out.
  1. When you experience a sense of unreality: You may be paranoid of everyone around you; you think everyone is trying to harm you. You may set unrealistic goals for yourself thereby setting yourself up to fail so you can further condemn and torture yourself about being inadequate or a failure.
  1. Risk taking: When you engage in activities that would place yourself or your loved ones at risk, such as extramarital trysts, ignoring health problems, being careless with your job or livelihood… etc
  1. Waking up unusually early, having trouble sleeping or maybe sleeping constantly are all possible signs of psychological distress.
  1. Getting no pleasure out of life or in the things that normally give you pleasure.
  1. When you feel despairing continuously and are unable to attribute the feelings to any one thing in particular.
  1. Finding it hard to make decisions or to concentrate on anything. When even the most mundane tasks become monumental and elicit fear in you.
  1. When you feel tired all the time and you are lacking energy and find you are doing less than you know you are capable of. (Obviously you need to rule out any medical or physiological reason for this).
  1. When you cut yourself off from the world, not asking for support when you need it. When you are unable to socialise with people because you feel you have nothing to say or your think no one is interested in what you have to say.
  1. When you feel unduly agitated , anxious and restless for no reason

QUOTES

 

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child or a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded”.   – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

“Nurture your body, your mind and your soul. Don’t starve them or pollute. Acknowledge that inside of you there exists an unimaginable world, filled with mystery and magic, one that’s vast and complex, magnificent and yet vulnerable. You are truly a work of art, a miracle, honour the world which is you”. __       Tammie Bryam Fowles

 

“Our mental and emotional diets determine our overall energy levels, health and well-being more than we realize. Every thought and feeling, no matter how big or small, impacts our inner energy reserves.” —- Doc Childre

 

“If your thoughts are thoughts that draw low-frequency energy current to you, your physical and emotional attitudes will deteriorate, and emotional or physical disease will follow.” — Gary Zukav

 

“He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything” __ Arabian proverb”

 

“A sad soul can kill you quicker than a germ” __  John Steinbeck

 

“We are coming to understand health not as the absence of disease, but rather as the process by which individuals maintain their sense of coherence (i.e. sense that life is comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful) and ability to function in the face of changes in themselves and their relationships with the environment.” –Aron Antonovsky

 

Wishing you a healthy body and a happy healthy mind

2 Responses

  1. Wonderful thoughts and suggestions. One really need to be cautious and conscious about one’s mental health and general stability. May we really live while we live

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