Mental Illness

By Marcus Jones

-Condition And Coping.

A mental illness like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, etc., can, really, affect one's life, feelings, behavior and emotions. It can affect their way of living by limiting their activities and interests. It can be so severe that one may no longer want to have any social connections with friends or family. 

It's important to let the doctor know all about how you're feeling, and anything on your mind that may be troubling you, bothering you, or have you feeling worried or anxious. The medication prescribed WILL help, and should be taken as said by the doctor.

The illness can inflict suffering where the person feels like they're stuck in a condition in which they dislike. A condition that's making them feel more sad and depressed about things, and about themselves. They might say to themselves, “I don't like this.” I don't like feeling this way.” Some start a substance use, which can become substance abuse, because it's making the person feel better in a way. 

It's essential that this be avoided, or tried very hard to limit, because what will happen is a heavy habit and routine will build; and most of the person's time and money will be going towards a form of treating the depression with substance use, to vanish it, push it away. 

-Belief And Relief.

It's what I began doing years ago, when I was suffering from severe depression, major depression. I began drinking heavily and smoking heavily. I prayed to God and made an effort to put myself in a frame of mind that this, “IS NOT where I want to be, or how I want to be.”

What's more important is to know you don't have to feel stuck, you don't have to feel that this is how I'll always be. The person must know and believe that they WILL get better in time. The strength is in the belief and determination. Just try doing things to remove the thought or feel that the illness is there.

You can read the bible, the book of Psalms is good; pray occasionally to God, tell him how you're feeling and ask him to take it away. You can do things like draw or paint a picture, buy a musical instrument, take a trip, read books, go fishing at a lake, even if you're by yourself. 

Program yourself that, in a year or less, I'll be feeling better, my mind WILL be in a better condition. Set it as a goal, and take it one day at a time. Even if it feels like it's difficult, keep an OPTIMISTIC and POSITIVE frame of mind. Make it your mission and know to yourself that I'm gonna be refreshed, mind, body, soul and spirit. 

                         IN CLOSING

If you feel as though you're getting frustrated, stop for a while and just relax. Take your time with your thoughts and process them.

By Marcus Jones