Tash Fit Life

World Mental Health Day is October 10, 2015

In honor of that, I’d like to talk about signs, symptoms, and how (and where) to get help.

Mental Health effects 1 in 4 people in the world. 450 million people.

That’s a lot! Which means, we all know four people and one of them will have some version to some degree of a mental illness. And as sad as that already sounds, you may actually NEVER know which one (if only one out of the four you know).

SIGNS:
*I want to take a second to explain, please to no go SEEK signs for people, you don’t need to micro-examine other’s lives. This is purely for “if you happen to notice and gather these signs as related” in the same individual.
There can be a few to many, or no signs at all.

Lack of attention/interest/response when you are talking to them
Cancelling plans or avoiding making them all together
Clothing/makeup/ etc is changing-usually to dull/mundane/ no longer full of vibrancy in choices.
Relationship or job might be going bottoms up due to lack of attention/care/desire
No long keeping clean/ whether it is home/work/car/ or personal hygiene
Emotions are changing. and Drastic. Sadness, extreme emotional outbursts, anger, etc.

SYMPTOMS:
*This is the section where you evaluate your own life. This applies to YOUR mental health. Some of them are the same as the SIGNS above.

Trouble concentrating on tasks that were once simple
Withdrawing from work, school, or family functions
Unable to deal with simple upsets during the day e.i. spilling milk
Changes in weight
Lack of attention/interest/response when you are talking to them
Cancelling plans or avoiding making them all together
Clothing/makeup/ etc is changing-usually to dull/mundane/ no longer full of vibrancy in choices.
Relationship or job might be going bottoms up due to lack of attention/care/desire
No long keeping clean/ whether it is home/work/car/ or personal hygiene
Emotions that are Drastic. Sadness, emotional outbursts, anger, etc.
Feelings of worthlessness
Drug/Alcohol abuse
Suicidal Thoughts, or even just thoughts of hurting (without result in death)
Detachment from reality, hallucinations, paranoia
Significant decrease in energy, excessive sleepiness /tired. or even the opposite- inability to sleep

HELP:
*This is where people struggle. There is no shame in seeking treatment but yet many never get help. Nearly 2/3 rd of the people affected by a mental health issue will never seek help.
Help does not mean a prescription every time either. This is what prevents a lot of struggling individuals from seeking treatment. They assume they will be thrown on a roller coaster ride of figuring out what dose of what medications they will need to numb them from reality and make them a zombie.

Here is a info graphic of World Wide Hotlines:

CALL 911 immediately if you or a loved one is contemplating or attempting suicide.

Primary care doctors are the first resource available to you to someone else to start seeking treatment.  If your doctor cannot provide help for you in office he or she may refer you to a doctor that has a concentration in the area of the mental illness that you are seeking help for.  
If you do not have a primary care doctor, an emergency room can help you find a mental health care provider for you.

Even come here to me! I’ll help anyone who needs it. I’ve been through my fair share of stuff.

Mental Illness is NOT a choice, NOT a cry for attention, NOT a joke.

It does not define you, or control your life.  You can get help, you can fight this.

ONE in TEN suicidal individuals WILL COMMIT SUICIDE.

That doesn’t sit well with me, how about you?