Mental Illness Revisited

In my blog post last week, I addressed the stigmatization of mental illness. In today's society, mental illness is still an issue that is not openly discussed. It is an issue that is more or less swept under a rug and ignored. Perhaps people think that if the issue is not addressed, it will simply not exist or disappear. However, mental illness is not an issue that disappears; it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. But how does one reduce the stigmatism of mental illness?

Unfortunately, I do not think there is any easy solution to this social problem. However, I think there are some things an individual can do to help reduce the stigmatism. First of all, I don't think individuals need to fear mental illness. I understand that this is probably easier said than done, considering news stories of mentally ill people engaging in a killing rampage. But I think that we have to remember that these radical mentally ill people are probably only a small percentage. Second, I think that individuals can be more educated on mental illness. I will admit that I  do not know a lot about mental illness. I know some of the basics, but I do not have an in-depth knowledge on the issue. Third, I think it is important to treat mentally ill people as normal individuals. Yes, they have a problem, but we all have problems. Some of us have more apparent problems than others, but we are all essentially in the same boat.

I realize that this is not a rocket science solution; I do not have the education or experience to provide that kind of solution! But if we all do a little something to help reduce this stigmatism, it may make a difference for someone.

Mental Health Awareness

In the last few months, one of my friends published a book about her husband's struggle with Bipolar Disorder. At this time, I have only read portions of the book because I haven't had time to read all of it. The book is non-fiction, and I will admit that I was a bit skeptical of this chosen genre. I couldn't understand why she would want to devoid all of this information in a community where she still resided. However, after reading a few chapters, my skepticism changed, and I understand now that she wanted to make people understand and be aware of mental illness.

Even today, mental illness sadly carries a stigma. While physical disability has been embraced by society, mental illness still has that untouchable feeling. Why? A mentally ill person cannot help his or her situation any more than a physically disabled person. Mental illness is not a disability that someone chooses; it is a disability that is cast upon them.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the following statistics are recorded:

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.—43.7 million, or 18.6%—experiences mental illness in a given year.¹ 

Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S.—13.6 million, or 4.1%—experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.²

Approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 (21.4%) experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. For children aged 8–15, the estimate is 13%.³

1.1% of adults in the U.S. live with schizophrenia.⁴

2.6% of adults in the U.S. live with bipolar disorder.⁵

6.9% of adults in the U.S.—16 million—had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.⁶

18.1% of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and specific phobias.⁷

Among the 20.7 million adults in the U.S. who experienced a substance use disorder, 40.7%—8.4 million adults—had a co-occurring mental illness.⁸

Is mental illness stigmatized because people cannot see the disorder? I have not personally struggled with mental illness, but I know of people who do. It is a constant battle, but they are just people who are suffering more inwardly than outwardly.

Launching New Blog

During the Christmas season, I had a couple opportunities to write a column for the newspaper. I really enjoyed writing them as it allowed me to explore and utilize my creative writing... and provided a welcome diversion from journalism. Long story short, I asked the newspaper if I could write one column a month... and my request was granted. I decided to start an additional blog dedicated solely to my columns...http://carmascorner.blogspot.com/.

Read at your leisure... and feedback is always welcome (positive or negative).

Up On The Housetop....

reindeer fall?? Not quite! It's more like...up on the housetop, snowflakes fall, nearly 25 inches of snowflakes! To say Iowa had a white Christmas would be an understatement; Iowa had a white-out Christmas! All plans and preparations came to a screeching halt, and all efforts were redirected into moving snow! For days, the meteoroligists predicted it would be a storm of a quarter-century; their predictions were fulfilled when the swirling snow descended...and never stopped! One knows it's bad when the prime-time news has nothing to talk about except the weather! However, Christmas still came and wasn't lost among the drifting snow, even though it was quite a different Christmas for many people. Mom and I watched the storm with my sister in Orange City; movies, games, eating, and talking filled the days...oh, and not to mention watching the snow! We will be celebrating Christmas with the family this coming weekend, and so far the weather looks cold and clear! As for now, up on the housetop is mounds of snow...and no reindeer tracks!

In Search of Inspiration....

I apologize for my negligence in updating my blog for the last two months; I have no adequate excuse for not writing; I can't even use the old standard of "I've been too busy!" It's not that I have been sitting around twiddling my thumbs...well, twiddling my thumbs would be a miracle in and of itself! Over the last two months, I have been on a search, a search for inspiration... maybe it's not so much "on a search", but more so "in search" of inspiration. It seems like all my writing ideas are so mundane, or I have heard them somewhere before....to the point where one begins to question whether the idea is truly original or merely just a metamorphisis of someone else's bright idea. As a result, my blog suffers, my writing ceases, and I am constantly bombarded with "when are you going to write your story, Carma?" My Story. What is so special about it, I wonder...why are people so eager to read it? A few days ago, I was writing a friend and explaining that I was pondering writing my story...however, I also told him I didn't see why my story had to be a book...I'm just an ordinary girl. He responded by writing, "Yes, Carma, you are right in saying that you are an ordinary girl, but your story is far from ordinary. You are a girl that has done extraordinary things." I'm not sure I would deem getting an education, hanging out with friends, surviving numerous illnesses, spending time with family, traveling, and having a job as extraordinary...but then it is only with God's help that I have accomplished all these things, so God has made them extraordinary. I think I may need to narrow my search...I think I should narrow my search down to God and my life...and there I'll find my inspiration!

An Untold Story....

Over the last month, I have been living an untold story...a narrative that isn't shared, and a story line that doesn't seem to have an end (or no one seems to know the ending). In this untold story, I am starring as the main character, and all of those who are caring for me are playing the supporting roles. I must admit I would eagerly exchange the spotlight for a background role, but it appears I am the only one who can play the protagonist. However, the time has come when the untold story has to be told! Five years ago on March 1, I entered a surgical room with the promises of not having to worry about getting enough calories in my diet, about not having to choke down crushed pills, or about not having to concentrate on taking in enough fluids. The feeding tube was the answer; it would provide me with nutrition, medicine, and hydration in a simple and efficient way. Don't get me wrong...the tube has served me well; it has fulfilled all the promises, but I'll be the first to tell the secret of the untold story of the feeding tube...the story that the doctors seem to leave unknown. The story of leaking stomach juices...the story of irritated and burning skin...the story of messiness...and the story of "we really don't know what's going on!" Over the last month, I have been living this untold story...the story that seems to have no end...only options of trial and error. Am I ready to pull it out and give up? NO! Am I ready to stop using it and see what happens? Some days! But for now...I hold on to God's promise that "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So...I'll continue starring in this untold story...and hopefully, with God's help, I'll write the ending!

Wow or Yikes?!?

Wow, it's been three months since I have posted; I'm not sure if that calls for a "Wow" or "Yikes"! Where did those three months go? I'm not sure, but wherever those days went...I sure did not do a good job of documenting them! Life has been somewhat crazy and upside down since May 1; May 1 marks the date when I started working on gettiing a new computer. Needless to say, the next two months I have entitled computer catastrophes! It was one headache after another, but I think as of July 17...I can say I may have a computer that will work for me. Time will tell, but things are going much easier with this computer than the last two new computers. Isn't there a saying that claims the third time is a charm...or is it three strikes and your out? I like the charm saying better, so I'll stick with that one!

My summer has been going well though, apart from my computer. It's been going too fast, but I guess that is not any different from any other year. Mom and I were able to enjoy a few days in the Black Hills last week; it was a fun five days filled with many memorable adventures. I would post some pictures of the trip, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet on this computer. I guess imaginations will have to do for now! We were able to see Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, drive through Custer State Park, ride the 1880 train, and even venture on Needles highway. The weather was spectacular, so that added to our fun! We did hit a few bumps in the road, one of which landed me in the ER. You know me...I'm all about supporting the hospitals! It was nothing serious; my feeding tube needed to be changed as it was giving me a stomachache. However, once we arrived at the ER...we learned that they did not do feeding tubes! They had the tubes, but they didn't know what to do with them! My Mom has turned into Dr. Carol as she inserted my new tube...the nurse was the attendant :). What is wrong with that picture? There's another time where I didn't know whether I should say, "Wow" or "Yikes"! All turned out well...and after two hours...we were back on the trail of adventure!

Can you say "Wow"?!?