You’re in bed and work starts in about forty-five minutes. For the third week in a row life seems overwhelming. Of even more concern, you have persistently felt like crying. You’re tired; your body feels like it’s made of lead, and, you don’t care. Maybe that is what scares you the most.
You bounce into the office ready for the day; more than ready for the day; you’ve been up since three in the morning. You just couldn’t sleep. Your mind was racing. Ideas were coming fast and furious. It didn’t matter that they weren’t practical ideas; you figure you’ll “flesh out” the details later. This is the time for creativity!
Did that driver look at me funny? I didn’t like that look at all. It seems to me I’ve seen him hanging around our neighborhood lately. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was in our neighborhood. He was probably looking for me. He probably saw that opinion I wrote that was published in the paper. I was pretty tough on criminals, and, he looks like one. I think I’ll call the police to see if they’ll patrol my neighborhood more frequently tonight.
All three of the preceding paragraphs describe a possible illness. The first is depression. The second describes “mania”, and, the third, paranoia. Paragraphs one and two actually could be the same person at different times suffering from manic depression.
What is the purpose of bringing up these illnesses? Actually, there are two reasons. First, rarely will a person know they are suffering from them, and, secondly, they need to see a psychiatrist.
All of us go through many emotions each day. We interact successfully; sometimes we fail. Sometimes, something starts to break down in our mind or body and we are unaware of it.
Most alcoholics deny their alcoholism. Most gamblers deny that they have a gambling problem. So it is with people who have mental problems; they either can’t or won’t admit the fact that it exists. That is why the main answer to the question we are dealing with is “You need to see a psychiatrist when those closest to you urge you to get some help”. You need to seek help when your spouse; or child; or parent; or, best friend tells you that you aren’t acting like “you”; when they say “something’s wrong”.
The biggest problem with mental and emotional illness is getting a person to seek treatment, yet, the risk of suicide, financial entrapment, and bizarre behavior present life-changing to life-ending threats for a sick person.
Even when people believe they need help, they sometimes incorrectly think that they need a counselor or psychologist. In the examples I gave above, these professionals would do probably do no good. The reason that they would be of less value than a psychiatrist is because the psychiatrist is the only one who can prescribe medication, and, all these conditions typically require medicinal treatment.
Life moves at a fast pace. Most of us spend little time being “hyper-aware” of our feelings. However, when mental and emotional problems aren’t treated, sooner or later they will worsen, and, interfere with your life.
The percentage of people, who have mental or emotional disorders at some time in their life, is staggering. That information is so well known it can be found in virtually any publication which deals with living, and, the internet will yield complete details about dangers from these types of illnesses just by searching for these disease tags.
Periodically examine yourself. If someone close to you requests that you see a doctor; do what they ask. In fact, see a psychiatrist. If you don’t have the money there are almost always local programs that will assist you with payment.
Please don’t ever ignore persistent symptoms of sadness, suspicion or unusual and long-term energy. Further, please don’t walk away from the urging of those close to you to get help. To walk away from those who care about you, may be the last bad decision you ever make.
