A few months ago, I had to come to terms with a new version of my diagnosis. This was difficult at first because of my preconceived ideas about it. I believed that I had the type of diagnosis that a psychiatrist gives to someone who has no chance of recovering. Also, I believed that it was a sign that my mental state was getting worse. In reality, my mental health was improving and my thoughts towards the diagnosis were false.
The purpose of this article is to help anyone who struggles to come to terms with their situation or has distorted thoughts about it.
In this article, I will give you 7 tips on how to deal with understanding your mental illness.
Research your diagnosis
When you do research, you may get a better understanding of your triggers (although these will vary depending on the person), the range of symptoms you experience, and the types of treatments available to you.
When I became aware of my condition, my diagnosis had an extremely long name and there was little information on it. This made me think that my condition was different from everyone else’s. Then I went to a day treatment centre where I met people who went through similar situations, and that made me realise that I am not alone.
2. Understand yourself
If you already have an idea of what aids your mental health and what causes it to deteriorate, you will be able to use the right coping mechanisms to maintain a positive mental wellbeing.
Some examples of healthy coping mechanisms are: reading, cooking, singing, playing an instrument, exercise, etc.
Knowing your strengths and limitations can also be helpful as it gives you an idea of how to manage your mental health, without a psychiatrist or other professional telling you.
For example, you may struggle to handle with stress in certain situations. So don’t force yourself to do too much in one day. On the other hand, you may thrive in social situations, so make an effort to spend time with your loved ones. It’s all about finding out what works for you.
3. Don’t let the diagnosis define you
It is imperative to know that your diagnosis doesn’t consume your identity. It is just a label that helps yourself and mental health professionals categorise you, based on your symptoms and history of your illness.
When I learnt about my mental health problem, I was scared about how people would view me when they find out. After all, I heard “friends” associate people with mental ill health with killers and dangerous people. I didn’t want them to think that I am like that.
When I asked my psychiatrist about what I should say to people, he replied, “you don’t have to tell people”. He then went on to explain how I could be as vague or as specific as I wanted to be.
If you want to keep your mental illness to yourself and only a small knit group, then so be it. If you feel comfortable to open up to people, then that’s ok. Please don’t let others ideas and views about you dictate how you view yourself.
4. Think about treatment
Mental health treatment can come in the form of:
Talking treatments (counselling, CBT, psychological therapy, talking treatment, etc)
Medicine (Antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, etc)
Art and creative therapies (art, music, dance movement therapists, etc)
Complementary and alternative therapies (aromatherapy, natural remedies)
For more information and links on the mental health treatment, visit this link.
It is definitely a good idea to consider treatment as soon as you are aware of your mental illness. Just like physical health conditions, it is better if you get mental health treatment earlier.
It is beneficial to get treatment because it can help improve your quality of life. Although living with a mental illness can be difficult, getting a suitable treatment will make it more manageable.
Additionally, treatments can help improve your physical health by improving your sleeping habits, boosting your immune system, and lowering pain levels. Improved physical health can have long lasting effects, for example, it could lead to increasing your life expectancy.
I can personally testify that ever since I started using a range of treatments, my recovery has been a lot smoother. For example, I went to a health treatment centre where I received a life protocol that involved me changing my eating habits, drinking more water, and exercising more. This caused my mental and physical state to significantly improve in less than three months. It changed my life for the better.
5. Think about recovery
“You can recover from mental illness. Recovery means different things to different people. Personal recovery is about working towards something that is important to you. And having hope for the future” (Rethink Mental illness).
It is possible that you may still experience symptoms during your recovery journey. For example, I still occasionally experience symptoms even though I’m recovering.
When I experience the symptoms, I remind myself the it is actually a journey. It won’t be easy. Don’t worry about how quick it will take you to get to the finished line. The most important thing is that you will get there in the end.
We should strive to be like apostle Paul, who was able to say about his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7.
Keeping the faith is key. If you lose faith in God as soon as a hurdle is in your sight, then you have to change your outlook on the race, and accept that there are more obstacles to overcome. This means that you may need to train more and build your spiritual muscles, so that you can run the race with endurance and stamina.
The great news is that you don’t have to do it on your own, God is with you throughout the whole journey; He will keep you and sustain you.
6. Talk about your mental state
Speaking to someone face to face
Speaking on the phone
Writing a letter
Writing a blog
Start by journaling and then transition to speaking.
Practice speaking in the mirror before you talk to someone, if you are struggling to do so.
I would suggest, first talk to a person you can trust and confide in. They may be easier to talk to than someone you don’t have a relationship with.
One of the reasons why talking about your diagnosis is helpful, is because it can help to reduce the stigma that you or others have on mental health. This can be done by talking about it more regularly.
When I have written about being sectioned on my blog or other media outlets, people have told me that they didn’t know that someone who looks like me can go through mental health problems. I believe that this reduces the stigma that people with mental illness look a certain way. People begin to realise that mental health problems can affect anyone.
Another reason why talking about a diagnosis can be helpful is because someone else might be going through the same thing or a similar mental illness, and you could encourage them.
Approximately, 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental health problems each year. This means that it is quite prevalent, however people still don’t talk about it often. Talking about mental health can help a friend feel like someone else understands them.
7. Stick to what you do know and leave the unknown in God’s hands
The mind is very complex, so it will be impossible to have a full understanding of what exactly is taking place in your mind. However, you are the one who is living with the mental illness and you will know more than any mental health professional, how it is affecting you and how your recovery is going.
Even though the internet may have some valuable information on mental health, our Creator knows more about our bodies than anyone else. He is the Master psychologist. He knows the ins and outs of our minds and nothing is impossible for Him. When we have doubts that God can heal us, remember these texts:
“O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar” (Psalm 139:1–2).
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 30:17).
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” (Ephesians 3:20).
Sometimes we want quick results, however I believe that there is beauty in waiting on the Lord. He will show us the bigger picture and how we can encourage others on our journey to restoration.
Once we stop trying to have our own way and let God’s will be done, we will see Him do mighty things in our lives.
Conclusion
If you haven’t taken anything else away from this article, I hope that you realise the importance of taking the positives out of a situation that may seem negative. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! Likewise, when you are aware of your mental illness, use it as an opportunity to educate yourself and others, empower others to take care of their mental health, and see God work, knowing that you too can finish the race and say that you have kept the faith.
Stay blessed x
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