Mental Health Awareness Month

May is recognized as Mental Health Month in American and this year  Mental Health America is celebrating 100 years of  support for mental illnesses.  I can’t think of a single family that is not affected by a mental health illness and today, even our family dogs are placed on Prozac! Do we have a mental health “pandemic” or are we simply better at identifying mental illness such as Anxiety, Childhood Disorders, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, Recovery and Suicide.

History of Mental Illness

In my grandparents generation, Mental Health issues were a “family secret” and not subject to conversation. Many post World War II men and women did not discuss their feelings with a therapist or take medications for depression. Pregnant women were diagnosed with the “baby blues.” My 85 year old mother-in-law said she was prescribed Valium while pregnant, to “take off the edge.” Mental illness existed fifty years ago, it simply was not discussed in polite society or the news media.

Today, we are very familiar with the issues of Mental Illness, as presented by the television media. We hear stories about severely ill men and women who become dangers to their own families and society. We learn about the “Twinkie Defense” and the affects of sugar on a persons mood. Skilled attorneys look for a mental illness as the first solution to a criminal defense. As a society, we try to understand the severe behavior of children who kill children, men who injure their wives, or women who drown their kids. Behaviors that are not normal, are eventually recognized as a mental illness. Talk shows bring awareness to mental illness and encourage solutions to the disorder. Our US government has the task of defining which mental illnesses qualify for government assistance and special education services. In America, mental illness is an enormous industry and government challenge.

We do not hear stories about people with mental health disorders who have managed the illness and are living free of their symptoms. Why? Because they do not make a great news story. It is great news, however, when a friend tells me she has healed from post-partum depression or a celebrity writes a book on the subject and encourages women to recognize and get help for the illness. It’s wonderful news to hear a family member in recovery and celebrating several years without an addiction. When a woman can witness to others about a childhood eating disorder and the impact on her life today, she is helping others to understand the overpowering effects of the illness. We hear stories such as this, when the healing patient has enough courage to educate and inform others about mental health disorders.

How is Mental Illness Diagnosed

Traditional methods of diagnosing a mental illness always involve a psychiatrist, a physician skilled in recognizing the numerous illnesses that affect the brain. This doctor will spend time investigating the patients history, childhood, illnesses, family and living conditions. Then US government has a Standard Practice Guideline for the Psychiatric Evaluation and the American Psychiatric Association has a code of ethics to follow. Similar to a physical exam where symptoms are evaluated, the psychiatrist will ask questions and evaluate the condition of your mind. This is the traditional method for a mental illness diagnosis.

A modern method of evaluation is practiced by Doctor Daniel Amen at www.amenclinics.com. Dr. Amen has written several books on mental illness and appears on PBS television to discuss his innovative SPECT imaging for mental illness. His evaluation consists of the traditional psychiatrist exam, but also includes a “photo” of the brain. Using SPECT image, Dr. Amen can actually show his patients the physical images of a mental illness. If you want to see some really cool photos, then look at the SPECT Gallery of  Brain Images on his website.

The debate battles about the effectiveness of SPECT imaging for diagnosis. Quackwatchdisapproves of the methods and some insurance companies refuse to pay for the cost of diagnosis by imaging. Yet, clinical trials are in process to study the methods, including a Clinical Trial by Stanford School of Education to use MRI images as a method of evaluating the effectiveness of depression medication. Another Clinical Trial of Neuroimaging for Mood Disorders at Stanford is in conjunction with the National Instututes of Health. It appears the brain imaging method is being considered as a standard of practice, and if approved, will require the acceptance of traditional psychiatry and medical insurance.

Imagine the benefits of seeing an illness that was once invisible to the human eye!

How is Mental Illness Treated

Its common knowledge that mental illness is treated with medication and therapy. However, modern methods use four methods to enhance recovery. First, medication PLUS supplements are recommended by psychiatrists to heal the brain. Second, exercise is included in the treatment, as doctors are learning that the oxygen is essential to healing a brain.  Third, water is recommended as doctors discover that a hydrated brain functions better than a dehydrated one. Finally, the behavior therapy and counseling continue to assist in the treatment of mental illness.

Mental illness is no longer a family secret and now recognized as a physical illness which requires professional treatment. In 100 years or mental health awareness, that is making progress!

Mental Health Awareness

The awareness color for mental health awareness is emerald green. At LifeVerse™ Jewelry, you can personalize a LifeVerse™ Awareness Bracelet with inspiring words to support someone living with a mental illness. You’ll find Bipolar Awareness Bracelets, Mood Disorder Bracelets, Eating Disorder Bracelets, Childhood Depression Awareness Bracelets and Custom Awareness Bracelets for any awareness cause.