Have you of late been feeling deep in the woods? Do you feel the world is out to get you? Do you really feel the next Johnny is better than you? Do you want to just lie down and not look at the world in the daylight, with the curtains drawn and the lights off all the time? The day just seems to drag on, the night becomes all the more difficult, and sleep seems to have eluded you for many days. Do you look at the world as a real queer place with all the folks giving you advice to go and do something about it?
Do you:
Beat yourself up over silly mistakes,
Feel always sick and tired on account of not sleeping well,
Constantly grapple with unwanted thoughts running through your mind all the time,
Feel tormented with traumas and pains of life’s doings and undoings.
The doctor might say you have depression and a mood disorder. Others would simply call it an inability to face the stresses of the world and may associate it with anxiety attacks. Some could have compassion for you, or some could just call you a lazy buff. But do you really feel all that advice is necessary when all you are doing is being comfortable in the discomfort of inertia and the negation of the self?
But is it not a fact that you do want to feel truly good, only if someone could help you overcome this inertia of depression? The visits to the psychiatrists do not seem to have helped much, as they do nothing but prescribe a different medicine every time you go to them.
Here is a simple remedy that can help you overcome the negativity that seems to have entered your mind and life.
Make an attempt to accept yourself and feel a profound sense of warmth and self-importance. No, I am not advising you to become a megalomaniac, but asking you to feel the powers that be within you to resurrect your life. You have some magnetic power that makes you unique, that makes you “ME.” Identify this “ME” and make all efforts to become “ME.”
We often look at others and not only compare ourselves with others but also be always busy in the process of becoming others. But would becoming others make us happy or satisfied? No, not at all. The more we look outward towards others, the more we get dissociated with the self, the real “ME,” that always wants to excel and be recognized. But the rat race of becoming others, the eagerness of doing like the others do, pushes this “ME” to the unknown depths of ignominy.
We regularly conduct Preksha Meditation classes at Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation, and our experiences reveal that the meditation of self-acceptance makes people gain positivity and a happy state of mind which cannot be compared to others because, in this, there is no “other.” The learning of the self can definitely be compared to the learning of new things and being part of something bigger, some sacred and celestial happiness and satisfaction.
If you want to feel this, self-acceptance is the habit you need to inculcate gradually in your mind.
Start by writing all the positive things about you on a paper, even if you feel there is nothing positive that you can write about yourself, just write the following statement:
“I am a powerful person. I have the power of mind.”
Continue writing a full page, then meditate on this, and you will gradually start feeling good.
You must accept yourself in a positive fashion, and that will help you overcome barriers to self-acceptance. Come and learn with us the daily self-acceptance practices that result in psychological and emotional healing.
Ramneek Kapoor, Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist, Science of Living, Preksha Meditation Expert
Families are often envisioned as the cornerstone of love, support, and growth. However, the reality is far more nuanced, with many families grappling with the complexities of dysfunction, unresolved conflicts, and intergenerational trauma. In this blog post, we will deep-dive into the profound impacts of dysfunctional family dynamics, exploring real-life examples and therapeutic insights to understand the journey towards healing and restoring familial harmony.
The Ripple Effects of Dysfunction:
Meet Kritika and Vijay (names changed), whose experiences epitomize the enduring repercussions of dysfunctional family environments. Their stories resonate deeply with countless individuals who have experienced familial dysfunction. Kritika and Vijay, having weathered tumultuous family dynamics in their formative years, continue to grapple with the emotional scars, even a decade into their marriage. Their unresolved traumas have cast a long shadow over their parenting journey, as their children inherit the legacy of unresolved conflict and emotional turmoil.
Dr. Kritika, a pseudonym for a real individual, provides a poignant example of the intergenerational transmission of dysfunction. Raised amidst the daily tumult of her parents’ disputes, she and her siblings bore witness to a triangular drama that played out with agonizing regularity. Lines were drawn, allegiances shifted, and familial bonds strained under the weight of unresolved grievances.
The ripple effects of dysfunctional family dynamics extend far beyond the immediate participants, permeating the lives of subsequent generations. Individuals like Sejal, Sonia, Kamolika, Anand, and Sumit, though fictional in name, embody the collective struggles of those who have endured traumatic family events. From PTSD and anxiety to deep-seated mistrust and unresolved phobias, the psychological toll of dysfunctional family dynamics reverberates through every facet of their lives. Moreover, their own children and spouses find themselves unwitting participants in a cycle of dysfunction, perpetuating the cycle unless intervention occurs.
Understanding Triangulation:
Central to our understanding of dysfunctional family dynamics is the concept of triangulation. What begins as innocuous interactions can quickly devolve into accusations, misunderstandings, and unresolved emotions, with family members unwittingly assuming roles as perpetrators, victims, or mediators. Left unchecked, these patterns of dysfunction can become entrenched, eroding familial bonds and hindering individual growth.
Yet, amidst the turmoil, there is hope. Through innovative therapeutic approaches, families can take on healing and reconciliation, managing past trauma to embrace a future defined by mutual understanding and support.
The Path to Healing:
At our organization, we offer a framework for addressing the underlying issues that contribute to familial dysfunction, empowering you to break free from the shackles of intergenerational trauma. Central to this process is the cultivation of empathy and understanding, both within the family unit and in the broader community.
By creating a safe space for open dialogue and honest communication, we begin the healing process, allowing individuals to confront their past traumas and head towards a brighter future. Through individual and group therapy sessions, families learn to navigate conflict constructively.
For individuals like Kritika and Vijay, the journey towards healing is challenging, but ultimately important. By confronting their past traumas and embracing a future defined by mutual respect and understanding, they lay the foundation for a closer bond.
Conclusion:
Through therapeutic support, families heal and reconcile, overcoming past trauma for mutual understanding. Together, we can break the cycle of dysfunction.
Entering into marriage is a significant milestone in any couple’s life. As two individuals commit to sharing their lives together, it’s not uncommon for questions, doubts, and concerns to arise. Recognizing the importance of solidifying their foundation, many couples turn to pre-marital counseling to address these issues. However, before embarking on this journey, it’s essential for couples to understand what questions to ask their psychologist counselor.
1. What should we ask the counselor separately and as a couple?
Individual concerns and dynamics within the relationship are crucial aspects to address. Asking about the structure of counseling sessions and how they balance individual and joint discussions can help clarify expectations.
2. Does every couple need pre-marital counseling?
While it’s not a requirement for every couple, pre-marital counseling can offer invaluable insights and tools for navigating the challenges that may arise in marriage. Discussing whether it’s right for their specific situation is essential for couples to consider.
3. We’ve known each other for so long, why do we need counseling now?
Even couples with a long history may benefit from counseling. It provides an opportunity to explore aspects of the relationship that may not have been previously addressed and to ensure both partners are on the same page regarding their expectations for marriage.
4. Will counseling sessions be private, or will other couples be involved?
Understanding the format of counseling sessions is vital for couples’ comfort levels. Discussing preferences with the counselor can help tailor the experience to suit the couple’s needs.
5. Will our parents be involved in the counseling process?
While parental involvement is not typically a standard part of pre-marital counseling, some couples may choose to involve their parents in discussions about family dynamics or cultural expectations. Clarifying this with the counselor can help set boundaries and expectations.
6. How will counseling help us build a strong marital relationship?
Exploring the specific goals of counseling and the strategies the counselor employs can provide insight into how the process will benefit the couple. From communication skills to conflict resolution techniques, counseling offers practical tools for building a resilient partnership.
7. How many sessions will be necessary?
Understanding the time commitment required for counseling is essential for planning purposes. While the number of sessions can vary depending on the couple’s needs and goals, discussing a rough timeline with the counselor can help manage expectations.
Navigating the complexities of pre-marital counseling requires open communication and a willingness to address difficult questions. By engaging in this process, couples can lay the groundwork for a healthy and fulfilling marriage, equipped with the tools to overcome challenges and grow together.
There’s a common misconception that children can easily bounce back from anxiety, often by receiving positive reinforcement, treats like chocolate, gifts, or by distracting them with video games. However, anxiety doesn’t affect children in the same way as it does adults. It can manifest in various forms such as panic attacks, tantrums, sudden bursts of energy, or defiant behavior. Unfortunately, as parents, we sometimes overlook these signs, attributing them to mere misbehavior or peer influence. Yet, children’s reactions are influenced by their immediate circumstances, past experiences, and future expectations.
As psychologists, counselors, and family therapists, we frequently encounter parents and family members of our clients who grapple with anxiety. Interestingly, even in families with good parental coordination, children may also struggle with anxiety.
Some parents choose to conceal their own anxieties and issues from their children, attempting to maintain a façade of normalcy. However, children are perceptive and can pick up on anxiety cues through verbal and nonverbal communication, parental mood swings, or even by witnessing family events. Consequently, children may develop anxiety or panic attacks in response.
In cases where parents argue or undermine each other, the impact on children can be profound. Witnessing parental discord can lead to feelings of fear, abandonment, and emotional distress in children. For them, family represents security and stability, and any disruption to this dynamic can trigger anxiety.
It’s crucial for parents to recognize that children absorb stress and trauma experienced by their parents, even if it’s not overtly expressed. Children may internalize anxieties stemming from family dynamics, leading to feelings of insecurity and fear of abandonment. Even seemingly minor issues for adults can significantly impact children, causing deep-seated insecurities and anxieties.
Children often blame themselves for parental conflicts or separations, harboring feelings of guilt and abandonment. They struggle to emotionally connect with the single parent they live with while maintaining a make-believe relationship with the absent parent, further exacerbating their anxiety.
Parental disputes can shatter a child’s sense of security, eroding trust and self-confidence. Despite assumptions that children are resilient and adaptable, prolonged exposure to anxiety-inducing environments can have lasting effects on their mental well-being.
During counseling sessions, we’ve observed various symptoms of anxiety in children:
Dissociation: Children may mentally disconnect from family stressors, creating imaginary worlds to cope with emotional pain. For instance, Riya, aged 6, began conversing with her doll as a means of escape from her parents’ constant arguments.
Behavioral Issues: Anxiety may manifest as behavioral problems like hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattentiveness, as seen in Monty, aged 9, who exhibits symptoms of ADHD due to parental neglect.
Depression: Chronic emotional outbursts within the family can lead to mood disorders in children, as observed in Deepa, aged 10, who was diagnosed with depression.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Anxiety can manifest physically, such as in Meenu, aged 5, who experiences abdominal discomfort and constipation due to parental stress.
Validation Seeking: Children may lack self-confidence and constantly seek validation from parents or caregivers, as seen in Divya, aged 11, who struggles to express herself confidently.
It’s essential for parents and educators to recognize these symptoms and provide appropriate support. Seeking professional help from psychologists for evaluation and counseling can be beneficial for both children and parents.
By acknowledging that children can be affected by parental anxieties and providing a supportive environment for open communication, parents can help alleviate children’s anxieties and promote emotional well-being. Encouraging children to express their fears and concerns openly and reassuring them of parental support can foster resilience and coping mechanisms to navigate familial stressors.
Rhea (name changed )had been wondering as to where had she gone wrong in her decision to make her marriage a dream marriage that she had always dreamt about. She had wanted her marriage to be a mean to her happiness and love. She wanted to share a home full of marital bliss with her life partner Sam . Those two had always been looked upon as if they were a kind of made for each other couple during the six month long courtship. It wasn’t long since everyone at their reception ceremony had praised their complementing and completing each other .
Yet something went wrong immediately after they had returned from their honeymoon.She to utter dismay felt that she was not able to cope up with the demands being made on her by the family members of Sam. .She was feeling bad that she had not come upto the expectations of her mother in law. Her husband would often find her guilty of having upset his mother.Her mother in law would insult her ,in the kitchen and would not allow her to cook anything. if she had really been trained to be a housewife only things would have been different.She has been a professional programmer in an I.T. company and her husband who worked alongside her in the same organisation knew it very well.Then why this sudden demand of attending to household work .She would get into the bed room to discuss the post wedding trauma with her husband who often refused to discuss anything about his mother’s stand.
Jatin’s (name changed ) wife had left home to be with her mother for a week, has not returned now for many months as she decided to get out of the marriage because Jatin has not been taking her out to their regular pub joint after marriage as had been promised by him before they got married.
Ruby and Rohit (names changed ) had a long history of having been in love with each other from their childhood days and their courtship continued for more than twenty years before they decided to tie their knot. But after marriage everything turned tipsy turvy when Ruby found out that Rohit had been two timings even when he was into relationship with her .
Some of these young people may appear to be living next to us or people could be within us . But young marriages are not the only ones having jolts and jitters . Couples in their fifties and sixties years of age too have been having tough time in current situations as they either moot separation or move forward to a divorce.
Said Sudhir (name changed) “Our journey towards a blessed relationship of matrimony happened 19 years ago. We have two sons (17 and 12 ) . Recently I saw my wife talking to someone on social media Thereafter it has been a journey full of hardships and everyday fights .My marriage and its subsequent outcome had far-reaching effects on both my emotional and physical heath, as well as my self esteem and personal identity .I have decided to end this tortuous relationship.
Marriage is changing and evolving .it’s meaning in all strata of society ,be it young ,old , middle aged couples ,any income group is not the same any more .
We have had and we continue getting couples from any age group ,financial and milieu as you have read in some of the cases mentioned above .
A life long commitment to matrimonial relationship is a turning into a burden for some of the young couples .And some of the elderly couples feel it has been a difficult journey . They want to bring it to an end .But the decision to separate , from your partner with whom you have been planning to turn your dreams into a reality and walk hand in hand with each other ;to separate marital life to finally making the decision to proceed with a divorce and to coping with the stress and heartache is not so easy either ..
This is where we at Family Therapy India can help couples like above and many others who are facing turmoils into their relationships .
Our Family Therapy ,Relationship and marriage counselling sessions can help you change your life for the better.
You can learn how your personal choices are affecting your life, and that your happiness is up to you. You can’t always change your circumstances, or the situations you face in your life, but you can change how you act or react to those circumstances. It is up to you to decide what your future will look like, and to create your own happily ever after. Our family therapy ,Relationship and marriage counselling can help you find yourself, and let go of the feelings of anger, frustration, betrayal, and despair that are holding you back. It can teach you how to set goals and move toward a positive and successful future within your marriage, You can learn how to make permanent, lasting changes that benefit both of you and of course other members of your family.
Our Emotions Focussed Therapy and Counselling can help you regulate your emotions and learn the process of the best decision making on personal, financial, and practical aspects of your life that will develop better understanding for you and your partner to reaffirm your relationship.
We offer Family therapy , relationship and marriage Counselling sessions for families ,men, women and couples who are living with children, recently married, thinking of separation, getting a divorce, or experiencing relationship difficulties .We strongly believe in helping all those couples who are facing difficulties within their relationship at any age to understand each other’s mental and emotional state . We help them to set their communication better and overcome obstacles that are preventing them from achieving the happiness they deserve.
Get in touch with us today or write to us mansikpramarsh@gmail.com
Parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) comes with unique challenges, particularly concerning their behavior. Many parents seek guidance on understanding and managing the behavior of their children affected by ASD. With appropriate strategies and support, much of the stress and strain associated with these difficulties can be alleviated, benefiting both the family and the child.
Behavioral challenges among children with ASD encompass various aspects, including communication, social interaction, adherence to schedules, and sensory processing. It’s crucial for parents and caregivers to recognize that seemingly inappropriate behaviors are often symptomatic of the underlying difficulties these children face in their daily interactions and communication with others.
Identifying the Root Causes of Behavioral Challenges
The causes of behavioral difficulties in children with ASD typically revolve around several key factors:
Communication difficulties: Children with ASD encounter challenges in both verbal and expressive language, as well as in understanding non-verbal cues. This struggle can lead to frustration for both the child and the communicator, often resulting in behaviors that may appear problematic but stem from communication barriers.
Social interaction challenges: Beyond communication, individuals with ASD often struggle to comprehend social cues and navigate social situations effectively. This difficulty extends to understanding others’ perspectives and adhering to social norms, making social interactions overwhelming and potentially leading to avoidance or feelings of being harassed.
Difficulty with unstructured time: Children with ASD often rely on structured schedules to navigate their day effectively. Situations lacking a clear routine can cause confusion and frustration, leading to behavioral challenges such as acting out or feeling overwhelmed.
Sensory processing issues: Many individuals with ASD experience heightened or diminished sensitivity to sensory stimuli, leading to sensory overload or seeking behaviors. These challenges can manifest in various ways, such as sensitivity to touch, selective eating habits, or discomfort with loud noises.
Moreover, individuals with ASD typically struggle with adapting to change, making transitions and unexpected events particularly challenging. It’s essential for parents to be mindful of environmental or schedule changes that may trigger problem behaviors, including illness, which can exacerbate sensitivities and communication barriers.
Addressing Problem Behaviors
When dealing with problem behaviors in children with ASD, it’s crucial to approach them with understanding and empathy. Rather than reacting to the behavior itself, it’s essential to identify the underlying needs or triggers driving the behavior. Keeping a behavior diary can help parents pinpoint patterns and triggers, enabling them to develop strategies to manage or avoid these situations effectively.
Supportive therapies play a vital role in helping children with ASD cope with frustration and regulate their behavior. These therapies may include exercise, quiet time in a calming environment, and engaging in relaxing activities. Setting realistic treatment goals and allowing for gradual progress is key, as individuals with ASD may struggle with rapid changes or integration of new behaviors.
Effective Strategies for Supporting Children with ASD
To optimize support for children with ASD, parents and caregivers can implement various strategies tailored to their unique needs:
Clear and concise communication: Using simple language and visual supports can aid in overcoming communication barriers and enhancing understanding.
Utilize visual aids: Visual schedules and social stories can help children with ASD anticipate and navigate daily routines and social situations more effectively.
Emotion identification: Helping children recognize and express their emotions through visual aids or physical cues can facilitate emotional understanding and regulation.
Relaxation techniques: Incorporating relaxation activities into the child’s daily routine can help them manage stress and sensory sensitivities more effectively.
Create a soothing environment: Minimizing sensory distractions in the child’s environment, such as loud noises or bright lights, can promote a sense of calm and reduce sensory overload.
Positive reinforcement: Tailoring praise and rewards to suit the child’s preferences and sensitivities can encourage desired behaviors and reinforce positive interactions.
Seeking Professional Support
In cases where a child’s behavior poses a risk to themselves or others, seeking professional help from psychologists or psychiatrists is essential. Professional intervention can provide specialized assessment and guidance tailored to the child’s needs, ensuring comprehensive support and intervention.
For additional support and guidance, parents can reach out to us at Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation. With qualified psychologists, our center offers counseling and assistance to families navigating the challenges of raising a child with ASD. Whether through email or phone consultation, seeking support from knowledgeable professionals can empower parents to effectively support their child’s development and well-being. You can reach out to us at mansikpramarsh@gmail.com or +91-9179383554.
In conclusion, understanding and supporting children with ASD require patience, empathy, and a tailored approach to addressing their unique needs and challenges. By employing effective strategies and seeking professional support when needed, parents and caregivers can provide invaluable support to their child’s growth and development, fostering a positive and nurturing environment for their overall well-being.
Feeling sad, stressed, or down occasionally is normal, but prolonged periods of low mood may indicate depression. Depression symptoms include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, changes in appetite or weight, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and physical pain. If these symptoms persist for more than a week or two, it’s essential to seek mental health support.
Depression isn’t a sign of weakness or negativity; it’s a serious mental health issue that requires medical attention. It can affect various aspects of life, including careers, relationships, and daily functioning. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, immediate intervention is crucial.
While the exact cause of depression isn’t fully understood, factors such as altered brain chemistry, trauma, chronic illness, and hormonal changes may contribute to its development. Diagnosing depression typically involves a psychological evaluation to assess symptoms and their severity.
Treatment options for depression include therapy, medication, and social support networks. Preksha meditation, specifically the Perceptive Breathing Technique has shown promise in alleviating severe depression. This non-drug approach can complement traditional treatments and help individuals manage their symptoms effectively.
At our clinic, we offer comprehensive mental health support programs tailored to individuals struggling with depression. Our services include regular cognitive behaviour sessions, perceptive meditation sessions, counseling, and mental exercises aimed at promoting emotional well-being and recovery. If you’re ready to take the first step towards healing, contact us to learn more about our programs and how we can support you on your journey to better mental health.
WHAT IS EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING (EDMR)?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.
Francine Shapiro developed EMDR in 1987, she based EMDR on the notion that emotional distress can be processed when asleep during the rapid eye movement (REM). Phase.
She utilised this natural process in order to successfully treat Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since then, EMDR has been used to effectively treat a wide range of mental health problems.
Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference.
It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma.
WHAT IS AN EMDR SESSION LIKE?
After a thorough assessment, you will be asked specific questions about a particular disturbing memory.
Eye movements, similar to those during REM sleep, will be recreated simply by asking you to watch the therapist’s finger moving backwards and forwards across your visual field.
Sometimes, a bar of moving lights or headphones is used instead.
The eye movements will last for a short while and then stop.
You will then be asked to report back on the experiences you have had during each of these sets of eye movements.
Experiences during a session may include changes in thoughts, images and feelings.
With repeated sets of eye movements, the memory tends to change in such a way that it loses its painful intensity and simply becomes a neutral memory of an event in the past.
Other associated memories may also heal at the same time.
This linking of related memories can lead to a dramatic and rapid improvement in many aspects of your life.
WHAT CAN EMDR BE USED FOR?
In addition to its use for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, EMDR has been successfully used to treat:
A desperate father wanting the child compete for competitive exam ,a helpless mother not able to help her child understand anything being taught in the class room or at the tutorials ,a frustrated teacher regularly complaining to the parents to displine their child or take him /her away from the class are instances that we come across every day. Instances of tantrums throwing , of anger bursts ,laziness regular fights with siblings , not listening to parents ,indulging into internet browsing ,surfing of unwanted sites,staying away from home till late hours or not listening to parents are often seen as bad behaviour ,bad habits and bad attitude by many parents.It is rather sad that parents do not understand all such things mentioned above could be on account of child’s poor mental health or mental disorders. Resultantly youngsters are not understood correctly and they suffer frustration and uncalled for irritation.A good mental health free from any kind of disease or disorder is what a child must possess . But what if and for those who are not so blessed ,do parents really understand how can they know if there is anything lacking in their child’s mental health and if so how to help their child cope up.
Differentiating Mental health and mental illnesses is very important for any parent ,teacher and all those who are involved in mentoring youngsters. A healthy mental health would mean that we are of sound mind and are capable of deciding what is good or bad for us and behaving well socially economically and emotionally. A mental illness may not necessarily mean that you can not be any of the above .It could mean that in some areas of your life you may be finding it difficult to behave and decide appropriately psychologically . A mental disorder or a psychological distress are two different concepts and parents need to understand how it may apply to their child if he /she exhibits a behaviour inappropriate to the situation.
Thus, it is essential to understand that psychological distress in a given situation does not indicate absence of mental health .A psychological disorder or distress can be short term ,or of a long lasting nature depending on how the person has been affected and hence affecting the child’s overall state of well-being. Mental illnesses, on the other hand, are health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion or behaviour (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, professional or family activities.
Mental health is a subjective phenomenon and an individualized experience, different for every person. A state of mental well-being for one individual may not be the same for another individual. Factors that may induce mental well-being for individuals will also differ. The state of being sound at a mental level can vary within a day and from day to day. There can be an incident that may boost or degrade a person’s mental health on a daily basis.
Thus, mental well-being is a daily affair.
Mental health is often seen to be on a continuum, where the scale starts from mental well-being on one end to emotional problems and concerns in the middle to mental illnesses at the other extreme.
It is often seen that mental health and mental illnesses are not understood correctly. There are a lot of myths that surround mental health and thus lead to the widely seen stigmatised approach. Let’s take a while to debunk the myths and understand the actual facts about mental health:
Myth #1: Mental illnesses are not real illnesses.
Fact: Mental illnesses are not the regular ups and downs of life. Mental illnesses create distress, don’t go away on their own and are real health problems. When someone is physically injured, they see a doctor. Similarly, mental health problems also require seeing a mental health professional- psychologist/counsellor/psychiatrist.
Myth #2: “Mental illnesses will never affect my child or me”
Fact: All of us can be affected by mental illnesses. Researchers estimate that as many as one in four Indians will experience a mental illness at some point in their life. You may not experience a mental illness yourself, but it’s very likely that a family member, friend or co-worker will experience challenges.
Myth #3: Mental illnesses are just an excuse for poor behaviour.
Fact: It’s true that some people who experience mental illnesses may act in ways that are unexpected or seem strange to others. We need to remember that the illness, not the person, is behind this behaviour. People who experience a change in their behaviour due to a mental illness may feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed around others. It is important to understand that people with a mental illness are one of us.
Myth #4: Stress causes mental illnesses.
Fact: No one factor can cause mental illnesses as these are complicated conditions that arise from a combination of genetics, biology, environment, and psycho-social factors. Stress may aggravate the mental or physical state of the problem for an individual but it is never the sole problem of an illness.
Myth #5: People with mental illnesses are violent and dangerous.
Fact: People who experience a mental illness are no more violent than people without a mental illness. It’s also important to note that people who experience mental illnesses are much more likely to be victims of violence than to be violent. Excluding them from society because they are violent is because of a misunderstanding and stigmatic approach to mental health.
Myth #6 : People who experience mental illnesses are weak and they have a character flaw.
Fact: Stress impacts well-being, but this is true for everyone. Many people who experience mental illnesses learn skills like stress management and problem-solving so that they can remain optimally functional. Taking care of yourself and asking for help when you need it are signs of strength, not weakness. Mental illnesses don’t determine the character of a person. Mental illnesses are like other ailments and can be managed.
Myth #8: People who experience mental illnesses cannot go to work or follow a regular lifestyle.
Fact: Mental illnesses do not certify that someone is no longer capable of working. Most people who experience serious mental illnesses want to work but face systemic barriers to finding and keeping meaningful employment. Medical or therapeutic help can allow them to resume work and a manageable lifestyle.
Myth #9: Children cannot have mental illnesses. Those are adult problems.
Fact: Even children can experience mental illnesses. In fact, many mental illnesses first appear when a person is young. Mental illnesses may look different in children than in adults, but they are a real concern at a younger age as well. Unfortunately, many children don’t receive the help they need. It is important to remember that illnesses can occur and be diagnosed as early as 6-8 months of age.
Being mentally healthy is not about being perfect. Nor is it about being extraordinarily intelligent or successful or rich. Mental health is irrespective of these factors. These factors may influence the mental health of an individual but they are not a cause nor do they determine the state of an individual’s mental health. We all can suffer from mental health problems and we all can attain better mental s health and healthy state of mind if we recognise the deviation in time
The foundations of a good harmonious relationship in families have never ever been shaken so much as is being witnessed over last few months during the reign of Covid19 pandemic .I am obviously not referring to the spread of the virus .The spread of discontent,of apprehension and of unknown has been hitting the families much more in addition to of course the threat to the physical health on account of no activity,no source to let out the energy.
There have been widespread incidents of frayed tempers ,stomping of feet,exchange of good words or bad words , accusations and shouting combats amongst the members of families stuck up on account of the lockdowns and now on account of the fear that the devil Covid-19 can strike any one any time as the lockdown is opening up.We are currently into the third stage of opening up of the lockdown.
The curtailment of freedom has come with a bigger loss of business,employment and of course the apprehensions about losing assets bought on EMIs .You gain a respectability in the society you come from when you are gainfully employed and the same society looks down upon you when you end up losing your business ,job or the means of earning .That’s a very ironical situation though it’s true.
It’s not that there have not been instances of spread of disease in or the instances of smaller fights within the family,but the mental scars as given by Covid-19 will take a long long time to heal as the experts in mental health feel.
Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation Clinical Psychologists-Family therapists Indore 0731-4263087,9179383554 