By Dr. Deborah Brown,
MS, MPhil, LPC
Mental health counselors are on the front lines, as we are seeing the stress and challenges that many are facing today. With the changes in our world post-pandemic, escalating rates of addiction, increasing financial concerns, the influence of social media and technology in our family relationships, and workplace stressors; there is certainly much to be overwhelmed by in 2023. If our lives become overwhelming, we can experience mental health symptoms related to negative patterns in our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These patterns can create unhealthy coping behaviors, negative perspectives, and even self-destructive behaviors. This can even potentially affect our bodies, with irritable bowel symptoms, panic attacks, teeth grinding, headaches, and more. People with depression have a 40 percent higher risk of developing cardiac and metabolic diseases, which can be fatal. These are great reasons to work on our mental health.
Being overwhelmed for long periods of time can create a life lived in survival mode. When in survival mode, life becomes unbalanced, and we can become unable to prioritize our needs and responsibilities in a healthy way. Survival mode can mean that we sleep poorly, affecting our mood and cognition. We may eat in a less healthy way, be more likely to abuse substances, and we may not prioritize physical movement. We may socialize less and become disconnected from others, perhaps isolating ourselves by watching TV, video games, or diving into our phone for hours daily. We may stay indoors more, and our world gets smaller, with it becoming a chore to do more than the minimum, so we do less. Over time, this can lead to a sense of powerlessness, hopelessness, and even symptoms of anxiety, panic, and depression.
One in five adults and one in six youths (aged 6-17) in America are experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder. That means that in your family, your friend group, your workplace, it is likely that someone is experiencing this. So, if you aren’t having the issue yourself, you could be affected by someone who is suffering without treatment. Mental health problems can manifest in how we treat our partners, how we relate to our children, and how we interact with the world. Unfortunately, the average delay between the onset of symptoms and starting treatment is 11 years. This clearly needs to change.So why are people suffering for so long?
Trying to discern what is OK and what might be signs of a mental health disorder can be difficult. Treatment identifies the problem and creates the best outcomes, but getting help can be challenging, with the current demands on the mental health system. Waiting lists can be long for counseling and outpatient treatment. People often give up, because it can be difficult to ask for help, wait for treatment, or navigate the system when they don’t feel well. Stigma about mental health can also prevent people from asking for help, for fear of being judged. Current advocacy in mental health awareness is spreading the word that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The good news is that change is very often possible. Positive outcomes can include improved interpersonal skills and connection to others, greater self-esteem, the ability to change self-defeating habits, and better emotional regulation and expression. Making small steps towards wellness over time can change the frequency, intensity, and duration of symptoms, creating relief and recovery.
If you or someone close to you needs support, reach out for help. Contact your health insurance to find a list of providers in your area. Call your local counseling center and take the first step. Reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org) to explore support resources and learn more about managing mental health. Health and healing are possible, so don’t let fear or stigma stop you or someone you love from living the best life possible.
Dr. Deborah Brown is the founder of Brownstone Center for Wellness, a mental health counseling practice opening in October in Northfield. Deborah can be reached at DrDeborah@brownstonecenter.com or 609-833-1644.
