Emotional Disorders: Would you rather hide or die?

 I. Hide or die?

Because I faced and overcame emotional trauma after 9/11, I started this blog to encourage writing and discussion about emotional disorders, hoping to exchange information about how to face and overcome emotional trauma. I was relying on your input as well as my own, but from my observation, the topic is still taboo. Edward Snowden's release of documents proving constant government surveillance and eavesdropping also didn't help. But would you rather hide or die?

Recognizing symptoms is the first step to treating an emotional disorder, but there appears to be resistance and general distrust when it comes to seeking intervention or treatment. Likewise, there appears to be a reluctance in offering personal opinions, telling stories, or sharing experiences. While this is understood, it doesn't help solve the problem plaguing our world. Emotional disorders are the number one cause of disability world wide. Yet, they are the most treatable, whether through mental health practitioners or through self-help techniques.

Emotional and anxiety disorders are nobody's fault, but they remain the leading cause of disability world wide. They are called "invisible" illnesses because they are still misunderstood, undermined or negated. Due to fear of being ostracized, discovered by medical insurers, losing a job or being blamed, far too many people are opting to find "quick-fix" solutions to emotional and anxiety problems.  Instead of seeing a mental health professional or finding scientifically researched ways to treat anxiety and depression, they are self-medicating and endangering the lives of self and others. Far too many communities are plagued by crime and acts of violence due to substance abuse, but the longer emotional disorders remain untreated, the greater the risk of tragic events, including suicide.

Emotional disorders like PTSD and depression are described as "invisible" illnesses because their symptoms are not easily recognized. Symptoms are often confused with those of other illnesses, downplayed, or hidden by sufferers themselves. To clarify or determine the extent of negative thoughts and feelings, it is important to keep a record of emotions and responses for a period of two weeks. 

Writing and reflecting at the end of the day is a perfect way to keep a record of emotions, and if negative thoughts and sad feelings persist for two weeks, seeing a mental health professional or using self-help techniques might be the next step.  Emotional disorders are invisible only if we allow it, but recognizing symptoms is an important first step.

Emme H. Johnson



http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/40-shot-5-killed-spate-weekend-violence-chicago-n90826

We don't just grieve over people. If feelings of grief seem to linger, seek professional advice.

When I think of grief, I think of deep sorrow or loss. Grief is different for different individuals, and its intensity differs from individual to individual. What seems minor to one individual could be emotionally devastating to another. The common denominator in identifying grief is an overwhelming sense of loss. When it comes to coping with grief, there is no one size that fits all, but it is important to ask questions and address emotions if we feel sad after losing something or someone. 

We don't just mourn or grieve for people; we mourn the loss of pets or intangibles: losing a way of life, losing money, losing innocence, to name a few. Because grief begets sadness and creates the need to express feelings, grief is one way that we cope with loss. Studies indicate, our brains are programmed to focus on negativity, so some negative feelings are expected after a loss. However, excessive grief is not normal, and if self-expression through writing or talking to friends and family does not work, it might be important to seek professional counseling.

Mourning is a topic rarely addressed but it underlies so many actions and forms of behavior. Grieving is unlike other feelings; it reflects indescribable emotional injury that affects our thoughts and feelings until it is reckoned with. To come to terms with loss, we grieve or mourn. In mourning, we identify the source of loss and express our sad feelings. Feelings of loss are not negotiable, and unless these feelings are expressed and acknowledged, our individual occasions of grief can affect us for years, even leading to drug and alcohol abuse, domestic abuse or  emotional disorders like depression

Because emotions must be expressed, it's a good idea to find ways to get feelings out in the open where they can be accepted, analyzed and dealt with. No matter what caused the occasion to grieve, feelings are real, and the more negative the feelings, the longer they remain in our emotional system and affect our emotional well-being. 

Studies reveal, we are much more attracted to negative thoughts, and negative experiences remain with us for longer periods of time. So a good defense against unreconciled  feelings of loss is self-expression which allows us to uncover hidden sources of grief. There is a normal grieving period which differs for each of us, but if feelings of grief seem to linger, it's important to seek professional advice. - Emme H. Johnson

Note: This blog will be updated again after 4/19/2014 due to mandatory updates to Windows XP operating system. - Emme H. Johnson