Living With a Mental Illness

Life can present challenges to anyone at any time. However, for someone with a mental illness, day to day living can cause trauma, depression, anxiety, and even result in death. People who look just like you live with mental illness. They walk, talk, hold full-time jobs, and have family and friends who love them. What's different is that many live in silence, hiding their mental illness from the world. The reasons are simple; they don't want special treatment, or they don't want others to view them as different.

Do I Have a Mental Illness?

Having an occasional day of depression or a passing feeling of anxiousness is something that most people experience at some point in their lives. However, if you feel this way often, you may have a mental illness, like anxiety or severe depression. If you often lose your cool or can't seem to control your emotions, you may have the disorder called bipolar disorder, and if you see things that aren't there, you may be schizophrenic.

Identifying a Mental Illness

If you suspect that something about you isn't right, it's best to see a doctor and let them make an accurate assessment through testing and questions about what you feel from day to day. If they find that yes, you have a mental illness, and are able to identify it, what will follow is therapy and treatment. The good news is that in most cases, mental disorders are treatable and proper treatment can help you significantly improve your quality of life.

Finding the Right Doctor and Treatment

Just like an auto mechanic, there are good doctors and bad doctors. If you receive a definite diagnosis, it's essential to get a second opinion from a highly qualified doctor with a sound reputation of treating people with a mental illness. If you accept the findings of a doctor with relatively little experience in this area, you may end up with a misdiagnosis and take a prescription that works against you, instead of helping you. Taking the wrong medicine can pose a threat to your health and even result in death. If a doctor prescribes the wrong medication and you live in New York City, for example, you can sue for damages by using a New York City malpractice attorney.

Learning to Live with a Mental Illness

If you live with a mental illness, you must accept it, but not give into it. You have a mental illness, yes; however, it does not define who you are. You are still a living, breathing person with the same goals and desires as others around you. The good news is that in many cases, you can feel when the symptoms come on and, over time, can learn how to work through your emotions. Medications will offer some help and allow you to remain functional, but in the end, you will need to learn how to cope. Therapy is a good option, especially if you often lash out at others or have uncontrolled emotions. You can also occupy yourself with a hobby or take in fresh air through a brisk walk or exercise to relieve anxiety and stress.

Finally: Let Others In

Another way to deal with your mental illness is to let others help. Loved ones want to see you happy and live a fulfilling life. By telling others what you experience, they gain insight and can help you work through your mental illness symptoms like anxiety, rage, sadness, or depression and ultimately help you feel better. Knowing that you are not alone will also give you hope that life doesn't have to be this way, it can be much better. The people who love you will also learn through your facial expressions or temperament when something is a bit off and talk you through it before your emotions escalate.