Mental Illness

WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?

Mental illnesses are clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndromes or patterns that occur in an individual and that are associated with present distress (e.g., a painful symptom) or disability (i.e., impairment in one or more important areas of functioning) or with a significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, disability, or an important loss of freedom. Mental illnesses vary throughout different countries and cultures, though mental illness as we understand it is essentially consistent throughout industrialized countries/cultures. Mental illnesses can generally be grouped into 5 general categories as follows:

• Anxiety disorders: the most common of all mental illnesses, can be manifested by phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders and panic disorders. An obsession is an idea that a person makes decisions around, and a compulsion is something done to temporarily alleviate stress about an obsession. Someone having a panic attack may look like they are having a heart attack. A phobia can lead someone to avoid or bear an experience with extreme amount of discomfort. Anxiety disorders also include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• Mood Disorders: depression and bipolar disorders. These can be mild and long lasting, or severe and sudden like certain post-partum depressions.

• Schizophrenia: manifested in hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech and/or thinking. A delusion is an incorrect firmly held belief (i.e. I believe I am Jesus Christ). A hallucination can be tactile, auditory, or visual (i.e. Seeing a UFO). This usually is manifest for the first time during early adolescence or early adulthood.

• Dementias: manifested in a loss of mental functioning in disorders such as Alzheimer’s. This usually is progressive over time. It is also usually due to a disease like Parkinson’s.

• Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia. This generally means that in addition to abnormal eating or compensatory habits (i.e. Excessive working out or purging), an individual has a distorted point of view concerning their weight and health.


HOW TO RECOGNIZE MENTAL DISORDERS

It is important to remember that everyone, at some point in their life, experiences some or most of these characteristics. However, it is generally not considered a mental illness unless it is persistent and it some how negatively affects the individual’s life. Also, though these tips may be helpful for identifying those in need, it is important to not jump to conclusions. Mental illness is often associated with a negative stigma, so those in a position to help should do what they can to avoid placing or perpetuating this stigma. Referring those in need to qualified mental health professionals allows for proper diagnosis (if one is warranted) and further linking with appropriate services and treatments. Mental illness doesn’t have a distinguishable look. It affects all different types of people regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status. Because of the broad spectrum of mental illnesses you can’t look at someone and tell whether or not they are mentally ill. There are different signs for different illnesses.


WHAT CAN CLERGY DO?: COMMUNICATION IN COUNSELING

Some basic concepts are important for counselors to employ as they counsel with individuals can also be employed by clergy as they counsel their parishioners. There are a few important elements to pay attention to when it comes to communication within the counseling setting. Listening and allowing people to talk about their problems is an integral part of the helping process and should be at the forefront of applied techniques.

The next important element of communication is empathy. Empathy is displayed through
truly listening and understanding, and can be sensed by those with whom one works. This means being able to accurately sense the inner feelings and meanings of the Individual’s experience and relate back to them that you understand. The use of empathy involves 5 techniques: a) attending or listening, b) verbally communicating empathetic understanding, c) reflecting feelings, d)
nonverbally communicating empathic understanding, and e) silence as a way of communicating empathic understanding. One important aspect of empathy is empathic listening, which can be displayed through thoughtful paraphrasing and reflecting of ideas. This tool allows the helper to understand and clarify what has been said, and allows others to assure that their message has
been received.

Do not “own” the problem: “You can invite him to change, and the rest is up to him.” Not taking others burdens home with is a difficult skill to learn. Considering how to leave some of these problems with the member is a long and worthwhile process.

Know when to refer to other professionals. While you have capabilities that are wonderful, remember that getting quality care for the individual should be of the greatest priority, and your role as a spiritual advisor does not have to be stretched beyond your comfort zone. Allow them to decide upon solutions to their problems, and then assist them with the steps necessary to put the plan into action. This aids people in gaining confidence in the decisions they make and will make in the future (as well as allowing them to own and take responsibility for their own lives), and helps prevent against possible dependence upon the helper.


TREATMENT

Mental illnesses are treatable. Some evidence based practice to assist in the recovery of those with mental illness include: medications, psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), group therapies, etc. Other important keys to successful recovery programs are good support systems (family and/or friends) and balance in life in the areas of sleep, exercise,
and nutritional intake. It is also beneficial for these individuals to exercise the personality and character strengths they have, and to increase these strengths through volunteer or service work opportunities.

There are two main types of treatment for mental disorders; these are somatic therapy and psychotherapy. Somatic therapy includes treatment such as drug therapy, and electro-convulsive therapy (also know as electroshock). Examples of psychotherapy include individual, group, family, marital therapy and behavioral techniques (such as relaxation). Studies have shown that a combination of both types of therapy have proven to be beneficial approaches to the treatment of mental illness (Treatment of Mental Illness, 2009).


MYTHS CONCERNING MENTAL ILLNESS

• People with addictions choose to have that lifestyle and they are morally weak.
Addiction is a disease caused by brain chemistry alterations, which is not associated with moral weakness.

• Depression is caused by a weakness of personality or a character flaw, and people are able to “snap out of” their depression if so desired.
Depression is not caused by aweakness in personality, but is caused by changes in brain chemistry or brain function, and both medication and/or psychotherapy are able to aid in the recovery of depression.

• Mental illness is the result of poor parenting.
Mental illnesses have a physical cause, which when combined with other risk factors can lead to psychiatric disorders.

• People with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, are dangerous.
Statistics show that the incidence of violence in people who have a psychiatric illness is not much higher than that of the general population. In fact, those people who suffer from schizophrenia are often frightened and confused, rather than violent. (NARSAD Research Newsletter, 2001).

• Troubled youth just need more discipline.
Approximately 20% of youth residing in juvenile justice facilities have a serious emotional disturbance and most have a diagnosable mental disorder.

• Homeless people with mental illnesses have a small chance of recovery.
Homelessness can be significantly decreased when people are connected to case management, supported housing and related services.

• It is not possible for children to have depression.
Over two million children suffer from depression in the United States, and half of them do not receive treatment. (Mental Health
Myths, 2009)