I See A Pattern

In my 25 years in the field of mental health I have observed a pattern which is why I am pushing my Practical Psychology.  I will be the first to admit that mental illness is real and people suffer from Depression and Anxiety, just as they suffer from physical illnesses such as Diabetes and Hypertension.  The problem I have observed is this --- we give the diagnosis too much power over us and we don't do those things (practical psychology/emotional fitness) that can help us work through much of these problems.  Just as we can influence, fairly significantly, the illnesses of Diabetes and Hypertension, so too can we influence the illnesses of Depression and Anxiety.  I'm not talking about a pill or even a lot of therapy.  Therapy can facilitate some change but there are some lost values that we need to reinstate.  

I can't tell you how many times teenagers in my therapy groups at the hospital will say, in reference to an earlier anger outburst, "I'm Bipolar." As if they have absolutely no control over their actions!   Yes they may have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, which suggests their moods may be a bit more labile than others, but they can work at managing those moods by applying rational thinking everyday.  Having chosen rational thoughts, they can become better equipped at choosing and practicing behaviors that will begin to change their habitual pattern of blowing up every time someone says something derogatory to them.  

Here is another typical scenario, but this time it's the parent's view of their child.  I have evaluated thousands of kids who are exhibiting aggressive and self destructive behaviors.  Many of the parents send them to the hospital so we can "diagnose" them and "fix" them, as if there is something chemically wrong (like "they're Bipolar" and need medication to cure them).   As I review the background information of the child, I learn that his mother and father were never married and were teenagers when he was born;  father is nowhere to be found or is in prison;  mother has a history of drug abuse and had boyfriends that abused her and her son, which resulted in Children's Division taking custody of the child for a period of time.  Do you see anything wrong with that picture?!  Is your first explanation of his aggressive behavior a chemical imbalance?!  I don't think we need more hospitals and psychotropic medication.  What we need are responsible individuals who consciously choose to be parents, recognizing that good parenting takes time, energy, love, patience and selflessness!  We need to teach children and adults that maintaining our mental health takes time and effort everyday regardless of a diagnosis.  

Let us return to time honored values of virtue, integrity, hard work, patience and kindness.  Let us put forth effort to take care of ourselves in practical ways that will enable us to live healthier and happier lives and allow us to help others do the same.