There is so much talk about overcoming mental illness and beating mental illness, but why make comparisons?
The campaign to reduce the stigma around mental illness and encourage people to talk openly is certainly worthwhile. However, by implying it’s possible to beat mental illness, you also imply that someone struggling with symptoms of a long-term mental health condition is failing. The media further perpetuate the illusion that mental health is a one-time illness that you can ‘overcome’. Every time you read a story that mentions a celebrity that struggled with their mental health and is now doing well, or often when celebrities talk about mental health struggles, it is in the past text.
Of course, there are people who have long-term mental health conditions, such as psychosis, and will always need medication and openly share their personal stories on mental health blogs. Yet this is overshadowed by media outlets that have far larger audiences, leaving many people with the impression that other symptoms, such as anxiety and depression can be ‘cured’. After all, there are antidepressants and effective forms of treatments now, aren’t there? Well no, not exactly, although treatments and medications can be effective, they do not work for everyone.
What is Long Term Mental Illness?
Long-term mental illness is also referred to as chronic mental illness and it can be difficult to accept. There are various reasons for enduring symptoms of mental illness, and we all need to start talking more about how to adapt and manage symptoms. For someone who is living with long-term mental illness, there is always a point when symptoms begin. Letting go of getting ‘better’ and instead, learning to adjust to a life changed by mental illness, can be a scary prospect.
This might mean not being able to have a career, such as nursing or operating machinery because there is no room for error. Or it might mean never living a completely independent life. Sometimes it may mean needing to receive care in hospital and this needs to be talked about. This is why it is so important to change our language about mental illness and stop focusing on recovering, and more on not comparing symptoms and how we chose to manage them.
Long Term Medication for Mental Illness
Needing long-term medication for life should never be something to be ashamed of. But when it comes to mental illness, there is still a lack of acceptance around taking medication long-term. Although there is a general understanding when it comes to illnesses that are psychotic in nature will need treatment and medication for life. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications are often viewed as acceptable in the short-term, but not long-term recovery may not always be possible. There are some people who ‘recover’ and can go on to manage their mental health by using techniques, other than medication. Yet we still need to recognise that even when someone appears to have recovered they will still need to work hard to prevent symptoms from returning.
There are other people who have to stay on medication for life to remain ‘well’ and there are people with types of mental illness that would be severely unwell without high doses of medication. The language we use about mental illness can make people who have a mental health diagnosis, with moderate symptoms, feel that they should be able to come off their medication and strive to do so. There are many people who find it hard to accept long-term medication for mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness and bounce from well to unwell. When in fact if they had an ongoing low level of medication for life they may stay well, why is that not considered ok? Together we have changed how open people are about mental illness, now we need to talk about managing symptoms, to normalise taking medication for life.
Living with mental illness means accepting those symptoms may change over time, this might mean changing medication or altering what we are able to do. Often certain symptoms will become part of the lives of people who have long-term mental illness and they can be managed most of the time. Mental illness should be talked about as a continuum of symptoms that can impact wellbeing, rather than being addressed retrospectively when symptoms can no longer be managed
Mental Illness is Not All or Nothing
Thousands of people will never beat their mental illness, and instead, have to learn to manage their symptoms. Let’s support each other by encouraging everyone to check in with their feelings and symptoms, each day and take the time to understand where we are, just as we do with our physical wellbeing.
Don’t struggle alone, we will never judge you, if you’re feeling isolated and need help please call us.
You can contact The Healing Hubs between 10am and 2:30pm and 8pm to 11pm every day on 0300-102-1546.
If you need to speak with someone the Samaritans have a 24-hour free helpline open every day: 116 123
