Dealing with Mental Health Issues one Day at a Time

Have you ever taken the time to think about those suffering from any mental challenge? Could be depression or anxiety that makes it impossible for them to take a train that will plunge them into a dark tunnel.

These last year, mental health has been dominating debates and several people are finally coming out of their shells, embracing their handicap. Naturally, those of us not suffering from this fogginess that can take over your mind for days will hardly understand how it is that one cannot pull their weight at times, but we would probably understand better if we tried harder.

Some days are great. They are easy and normal and you have the energy of a mule. You can conquer the world and you do because the mind is at its best today. These days are far between and when they do present themselves, a person with bi-polar disorder will be quite hyper. They will experience high highs and will have lots accomplished. In that energetic mood, they will make friends and will seem like the best people to hang out with. The energy will be infectious and they will simply be a joy to have.

After this super hyper moment, most people will sort of normalize and be the regular person we are used to. They will have normal levels of energy and go on as usual. The period differ from one person to the other, though, but I have noticed this phase lasts longer and it ushers in a really dark phase.

The dreaded downward spiral does not miss its mark and when it comes, it will be brutal. The jovial person you knew changes into this gloomy individual that just wants to curl up in a ball. They will be in a foul mood and will not make any effort to befriend people because… well, they are not mentally up to it.

Small daily activities such as taking a shower or cooking a meal seem like herculean tasks and the only thing they want to do is lie on their bed. Once I caught a friend with bi-polar disorder starring at this large refrigerator with ICD display that she had seen on her way to the eatery we were to meet. When I asked her what she found so fascinating about this particular electronic, she said she didn’t even notice it at all. The mind was in a funk and I just had to take her home – she wanted nothing more than to lie down. Luckily, this dark phase – that can breed suicidal thoughts in some people - only lasts a few hours or a day for others.

The truth is, depression, bipolar disorder or any mental issue that renders us helpless is quite hard to deal with and not only for those suffering it, but those caring for them as well. It takes time and the will to step in a person’s shoes to know what they really go through. Empathy goes a long way when dealing with mental health.

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