Stress as a word is used frequently within social circles, working environments and on most Premier League football pitches.It is a word that most of us say at least once each day. We’ve come to accept its use, almost as easily as we accept friends into our homes. Does this mean it is now more readily acceptable within society?
Possibly. Possibly not.
However stress, and more specifically anxiety, will at some point in our lives, affect 1 in 6 of us! Those figures are somewhat shocking – that means that one person within my close group of friends (There are 6 of us, for those of you reading that aren’t so quick with the math) will be affected by anxiety, panic attacks or depression at some point in their lives.
I recently read an article within the ForgePress, which featured a weeks worth of diary entries of a person suffering from anxiety and depression. To say that this person was suffering from a debilitating illness would be ignorant on my part. They were not just suffering from a debilitating illness, but a crippling one.
They spoke of not being able to eat, sleep, socialise, have sex, concentrate, at times move, or to go about the most basic, primal, routines that we all do everyday and take for granted, for example, brushing their teeth and having breakfast.These poignant diaries made me think, quite a lot actually. Although these problems are identified under the umbrella term “Mental Health Issues”, are people now more accepting of such “issues”?
Partly yes and partly no.
Although there seems to be less of stigma attached to those suffering from anxiety – at one point in time they would have been deemed “mentals” and told to get on with it– more can still be done to educate those non-sufferers on how they can support those suffering from it, or even simply what anxiety is, what causes it and how it can be treated.
Organisations such as Anxiety UK have been set up to help those suffering and gratitude needs to indeed be paid to such organisations and their representatives for challenging head on a condition that is probably best described as an uphill race for those unfortunate enough to be suffering.
Most people will overcome the condition and go on to live happy, fulfilled lives. Often treatment is delivered in the form of Anti-Depressant drugs (which control the effects of panic attacks and help to manage the chemical imbalance in the brain which causes anxiety) & CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) sessions.
We often hear of money being raised for cancer charities, obesity and the like, yet rarely do we hear of money being raise/donated to anxiety and mental health charities – and this needs to change. The NHS in the UK has only a limited budget and more can be done to help those who are affected.
Don’t forget, according to Anxiety UK, 13% of the population will, at some point in their lives, develop a form of anxiety.
Not that I’m wishing it on anyone, but as Mystic M
eg used to say: it could be you!I’m aware I’ve used the word suffering far too often in this blog, I feel it is the most appropriate word to use, given that I’ve witnessed first hand the effects of anxiety and depression within a close friend and let me assure you, it isn’t pleasant.
Far too many people use the term “depressed” when in actual fact they simply mean they’re feeling a bit rubbish. This needs to stop. It trivialises depression and makes it harder for those actually suffering from depression to be taken seriously.
Thankfully there are increasing numbers of people who do understand and are more understanding of anxiety, panic and depression. This needs to continue if we are ever to win the battle with one of the least understood, yet most serious illnesses that plagues increasing numbers of us in society.
If you're suffering from anxiety, panic or depression, look on the following websites for advice:
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