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Mental Illness

Does mental illness run in your family?

We are accustomed to many common physical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer that run in families. We never blink an eye when we hear of someone diagnosed with such illnesses.

However, as a culture, when someone is diagnosed with a mental illness, that also run in families, the negative stigma associated with the illness, sends that individual into hiding for the shame they feel. It prevents many from seeking and receiving the help they need because of the embarrassment they suffer.

What can we do to eliminate the shame of mental disorders?

We must first see the individual and not the illness.

We must understand that mental illness is exactly that, an illness.

My very good friend suffers from bipolar disorder. He is very intelligent, creative, fun, a great parent, and a wonderful friend, who happens to have a chemical imbalance that can be treated with medication. He is not crazy, psycho, or mentally deficient in any way. True, he has to adhere to a disciplined lifestyle but so do I with lupus that I battle daily.

We as a society need to be more compassionate and less judgmental to those who are unfortunate to have a mental disorders.

Knowing your family’s mental health history can give you insight into the treatment of any mental health concerns that have affected previous generations. It is an illness that can be fought. True, it can take a lifetime, but with the proper care and medication, someone with a mental instabilities can become stable and achieve their goals.

If you feel you suffer from a mental illness here a few life coaching tips:
Find a psychologist/psychiatrist to make a diagnosis of your condition. The sooner the better.
If medication is prescribed, stick with it. This is crucial to improved health. Compliance to medication can sometimes be very difficult. Be creative! Find ways to stick to your medication routine.
Seek the support of family and loving friends.
Locate groups or organizations that can support you. There you can find nonjudgmental people who understand your situation and give you the support you need.
Avoid self-medication with drugs or alcohol. This can worsen your condition.
Begin an exercise program. This can help to lift your spirits by releasing the happy hormones, endorphins.
Get enough sleep at night. Seven hours is ideal. Sufficient sleep is critical to your mental health.
Nurture your spiritual life. This can give you the strength to battle your illness.
Volunteer in your community. Find some small way to help others.

A life coach trained in mental health issues can assist you in sticking to your goals. Medication only gets you from zero to fifty. Coaching takes you from fifty and beyond. I have achieved great results in working with clients with mental illnesses.

Don't allow another day to go by hoping you can be more functional. A life coach can work alongside other professionals to assist you in the areas that are necessary to bring about a fulfilled life.

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