Health issues etc.

[boingy]

It is really important that issues around mental health (a vast spectrum) are, at last, being more properly discussed and recognised. The greater the understanding, the better.

Making a similar comparison with autism again, there was a time when some on the spectrum were dismissed as "rude", "retarded" or, at best, "odd" . When I was researching aspergers when we first suspected our youngest may have it, it was quite shocking to discover how many people now in their 50s (and sometimes younger) had ended up needlessly in institutions or borstals because of a lack of understanding. Not too dis-similar to the lack of understanding and cultural dismissal of the "shell shock" suffered by so many of those returning from the horrors of the Great War. I clearly remember stories of family members who had life long problems resulting from this.

Guess the causes of mental health issues are as varied as the impact they can have. Some may be down to genetic issues or chemical in-balances, others -the majority, I suspect- down to traumatic experiences. The latter might include growing up in an environment with abusive family members, being the victim of violence, experiencing the horrors of combat or constantly working under stressful circumstances. I'm sure the list is pretty big.

A common coping strategy for human beings that helps them adapt to survive seems to be that of compatmentalization. Put the traumatic events, whatever they are, in a box and try your best to hide it away somewhere in the back of your mind and move on. Certainly don't go back and open the box and re-visit it. As 68 so succinctly pointed out though, the problem is that everyone's box can only hold so much and that the strength of the chains around that box holding everything in will also vary greatly between individuals. There is no "one size fits all" and the addition of the tiniest straw can sometimes break the camel's back.

Veterans are well known for not wanting to talk about some of the experiences they went through (and I'm old enough to have known some who served in the Great War as well as WW2 including a next door neighbour I grew up next to who was a POW in Burma) and, if they do, it is normally only to other veterans who went through similar and so may understand better. The rules of ordinary civilian life do not apply to warfare and you can only properly emphasize if you have shared experiences.

I don't pretend to have a lot of knowledge in this area, but I would have thought that, alongside medication or things like CBT, some kind of counselling would be the most beneficial when it comes to tackling the root causes of many mental health issues. Talking things through, to try and gain a better understanding and perspective of traumatic events, would seem a better way of at least getting on the path towards some sort of healing and acceptance if not closure. Bottling things up and not facing up to past events may work short term but doesn't seem a sustainable-nor healthy-course of action.

The important thing, I suppose, is for everyone to be made a little more knowledgeable on the subject so that they can then better both recognize and support those in need rather than the dismissive attitude too prevalent of the past.

I think, however, that one of the drivers behind the original post of this thread relates to the growing number of people (particularly younger people) who use "mental health issues" too much as an excuse for them not wanting to do something. In the workplace, I have known some younger staff go off with "stress" for example if they feel they are being asked to do too much and feel they are being "bullied" or in a "toxic environment". As a union rep, I know the workplace and I know the people and 99% of the time I know such accusations to be false and that the individual's concerned are simply deflecting their own performance issues. Not too different from a case I have known where one individual consistently tried to play the race card when the reality was that he was being legitimately challenged on his performance issues and didn't like it. These individuals do a great dis-service to those in genuine need at a time when mental health services are at their most stretched.


PS I know this subject is of particular relevance to yourself Boingy, but good to see you posting back on here. Hope you are OK. I will certainly check out the book you recommended too btw.

Thanks Omeg, Im just keeping a safe distance. My world is so small now that I find I only have space for those who understand. Yes, The body keeps the score is a turning point in the effects of trauma understanding. Ive had the pleasure of talking to Bessel on trauma panels that I was invited to due to my time with my child abuse and rape charity I set up which sadly is no more. Id spent so much time in dark places that I just couldnt face it any more. Occasionally I get contacted to speak with someone who needs support but again that has to be if I can at that moment.