Defining mental illness

[Rana]

I am always being asked throughout my life "Are You religeous ? " . My response that for means of explanation by words "I am spiritual ,i do not follow an organised religeon " always sparks much curiosity and debate. one response came and still does come from a good friend of mine who lives with clinical depression (and this is after we have known each other for 10 years .she is a practicing Italian Catholic ) will say "so you are a Christian right ? " ahhh no. but thats ok i respect her and for all she has been thru and goes through with reguards to the negative side of her depression her spiritual beliefs are really good and supportive and im all for that.
She raised an interesting thing up to me based on something she had been thinking about from her support group for people living with mental illness . She asked me if spiritual people are able to communicate with her words "the dead" and hear them speak and even see them,do i think people living with Schizophrenia are speaking to "the dead" and seeing ghosts. this made me begin to think that this is something that needs to addressed and clarified.
There is no denying that mental Illness (and anyone with one or knowing someone who is living with it ,or works in the area will agree)
mental illness can be defined and diagnosed .That is clear. The signs and symptoms are recognisable .this is for both stable and unstable ( un diagnosed or un managed) therefore someone living with say Schizophrenia (un managed & professionally diagnosed) will experience voices usually ones that speak about self harm,harming others or extremely negative concepts. They will see people that other people do not see.
In this un managed or unstable state one is not interacting with Spirits or having spirit communication.Spirit communication is never negative in nature,it doesnt tell one to harm themselves or hurt others ever.It also never appears to people in form by means to hurt or encourage harm. That isnt to say they are unable to have spirit contact actually far from it.
but as anyone say with schizophrenia will know if they are managing their symptoms (ie.voices & hullucinations) through a health plan usually involving a number of people from Psychiatrist,doctor etc .and they are interested in mediumship either personally or themselves then when they are stable are better prepared to know the difference between actual spirit contact and an episode. ( i write this with absolute respect to those living with mental illness ).

[Kiran]

Thanks for posting this Rana. I guess a lot of us know of someone with a mental health issue, myself included.

[SoulChild]

One interesting thing I have learned about religion is one of the "seven deadly sins" called "sloth". It is proved to be a complicated sin, and they described how different religions view "sloth" basically, what I got from the documentary is that "sloth" is depression....it is also sadness. I guess that get that definition from the fact that if you have GOD in your life...how can you be depressed? but, way back in the days they could not define or diagnose depression, therefore it was looked at as a sin. I find that depression effects some cultures more than others....like, and no offense to anyone...but, I don't meet many blacks who say they suffer from depression. Now, don't get me wrong...we get depressed...but, not the kind that docs diagnose...and it may very well be that we can't afford a psych....LOL (j/k)...well, I know I can't..but, or we don't want to pay a psych tell us we are depressed when we already know we are. Anyway, back on topic...but, I don't understand depression, especially if you are religious based on the explanation above. I don't judge people who say they are depressed, and I realize that something is wrong...whether mental or chemical....yet, their should be a solution for it somewhere out there.....but, untill then...I wish all people suffering from depression an exit.

[Rana]

thankyou Elizabeth for your input and opinion i appreciate and invite everyone's. i think that possibly the reason (and i dont know the studies) that you feel there isnt "depression" in your community is because from what i know is your community has a strong sense of family ,togetherness. an awareness of culture ,a brother and sisterhood. I know much about depression because of my close friend and endevour to understand it and as a nurse bring awareness into all communites ,try and release the stigma attatched to it. She say " yes i live with mental illness yet it isnt my personality,it isnt even me " she has a chemical imbalance that is defines as "clinical depression" that chemical is lithium that is required to regulate mood and feelings in us , it helps serotonin and happiness. so because she doesnt produce and regulate this naturally she naturally feels very down (depressed) .for her it is a combination (Whollistic) of medication ,counselling,group therapy when she is experiencing an overwhelming episode of symptoms brought on by this imbalance.
She can usually manage everyday life (with regular medication) like anyone else .a recent breakdown was caused by the death of a parent etc.
She is 48 and was diagnosed at 27. the onset was sudden and came at a time when she was in her words "top of her game" a manager of a successful corporation ,a healthy social life,a partner all that ..hit her like bricks , back then 20 or so years ago ..the treatment in general wasnt whollistic nor was the way society viewed one living with mental illness. we in Australia have come along way yet i know and understand in the world we have along way to go..we see depression on many levels occurring in children.
i think even like you said Elizabeth that some people in your country requiring diagnosis or councelling couldnt afford access to someone who can help ,thats tragic because the numbers are rising. people need to know you are not defined by you r mental illness.you can lead a happy life.

[mcheraghimn]

Interesting topic!

One interesting thing I have learned about religion is one of the "seven deadly sins" called "sloth". It is proved to be a complicated sin, and they described how different religions view "sloth" basically, what I got from the documentary is that "sloth" is depression....it is also sadness. I guess that get that definition from the fact that if you have GOD in your life...how can you be depressed? but, way back in the days they could not define or diagnose depression, therefore it was looked at as a sin. I find that depression effects some cultures more than others....like, and no offense to anyone

The same thing or nearly the same thing about deadly sins also exists in Islam (with different categories) but one of the most important of those "biggest sins" is "hopelessness" not "depression". I personally believe depression comes after hopelessness. I'd like to say "depression" is medical name, so like any other disease it requires treatment. But what leads "hopelessness" to "depression" was mentioned by oceanentity. The society can't see them, they ran away from them and finally the society loses one of its members. So I myself always keep my hopes alive.
I live in the middle-east. One of my friends moved to England. He said something interesting about the difference of life methods:

People living in the middle-east continue to live peacefully without severe depression until 60 then they die.
People living in England continue to live until 40 then they wallow in self-pity until 80 then they die.

I don't know what I said was related to the topic but that was all I could say! By the way I couldn't find the word "whollistic" in any dictionary!

the treatment in general wasnt whollistic nor was the way society viewed one living with mental illness

[Narnia]

... By the way I couldn't find the word "whollistic" in any dictionary! ...

Wholistic is an alternative spelling of Holistic ...

I site my trusty dictionary ... Webster's New World College Dictionary ...

Holistic and or Wholistic: (adj) 1. of or relating to holism. 2. of, concerned with, or dealing with wholes or intergrated systems rather than with their parts [holistic health care].

Hope that helps you!

[Narnia]

... I find that depression effects some cultures more than others....like, and no offense to anyone...but, I don't meet many blacks who say they suffer from depression. Now, don't get me wrong...we get depressed...but, not the kind that docs diagnose...and it may very well be that we can't afford a psych....LOL (j/k)...well, I know I can't..but, or we don't want to pay a psych tell us we are depressed when we already know we are ...

You know, I have to agree with you SoulChild ... over the years I have noticed/observed that many diagnosed mental issues/illnesses only seem to have greater effect on white people in Western culture(s).

Manic depression, Bi-Polar, Anorexia, Bulimia, Schizophrenia, ADD, ADHD, Passive Aggressive, Anger Management and even Apathy are all mental issues/illnesses diagnosed primarily amongst white people - Asians, Hispanics, African decent, Middle Eastern decent do not seem to have as many mental health issues/illness as those of the white Western culture(s). Although these illnesses can be found in every culture, but on a tiny, tiny scale in comparison to how it is amongst white folk in the Western culture(s), where it almost seems to be rampant in some cases.

I sometimes wonder if the media has any direct effect on people in these regards. Drugs are always being advertised on the radio and TV as if it's to be expected you're supposed to have some sort of mental health issue. Anything you think your 'suffering' from - oh look - there is a pill for it.

Here in the US, there seems to be a lot of unchecked mental health issues ... and it's scary, because 9 times out of 10, these people do not even realize that their mental health isn't healthy and that is actually quite easy to put in check.

Anyway, this is a great topic indeed ... I'll add more when I don't have a hungry man waiting on me to make some grub!

[SoulChild]

I always think the media has a direct effect. i want to say more as well, but I just wanted to let you guys know that this thread is indeed interesting and educational.....thanks

[mcheraghimn]

According to what I was reading last night, the number of adults and children in the US using mental treatments has risen 73% and 50% (since 1996). It also commented that unfortunately the ones who suffer from serious mental illnesses still can't access those treatments. So a large number of them are unidentified.