Wisdom
Contributed by Jason Goldsmith
“I just can’t take it anymore!”, “I feel like the world is falling apart!”, “I don’t want to be here anymore!”, “I’m always afraid!”, “I want to punch them in the mouth!”…
In discussions with clients, we are often confronted with the statement ‘I’m crazy, right?!’.
In every case, counselors will answer with no. This often does little in the face of being emotionally overwhelmed. After all, we have all heard the words repeated often enough. If she changes her mind and/or mood too often ‘she’s bipolar’. If he says ‘I’ too much ‘he’s a narcissist’. In addition to these beliefs, we fear the diagnosis which often ends with words like ‘disorder’. We fear others will look at us and call us weak, crazy, stupid, or too sensitive. So, it’s not really surprising that people are reluctant or even fearful to try something like mental health therapy.
Recently, I watched a video in which an individual shared that post-traumatic stress or PTS, should be the term we use and leave the disorder off. The thought, which I find myself more and more happy with, is that PTS is the natural response to a terrible event in our life. The symptoms of PTS are the brain and body’s natural response to a mental injury rather than the result of some dysfunction. Each of us has a certain level of physical strength or are lucky to have a particular skill. Mental resilience and strength are no different and require practice and exercise to build. And just like going to the gym, these strengths and talents take time to improve and grow.
It may be helpful to think of counselors as personal trainers who are able to help us make the improvements ourselves and work one on one to give us the attention and guidance needed to regain control of ourselves and our lives. It may come as a surprise that many counselors have struggled with the same feelings, such as fear or rage and that their journey has given them a purpose in helping others overcome their own internal battles.
Here at HOW we would like to make ourselves available to you in answering some of the questions and concerns you have about mental health issues in order to remove the stigmas so easily felt. Please contact us and we will reply in the next edition while keeping you anonymous. We look forward to hearing from you.
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