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