Mental Health issues or Challenges of Life?

I agree with him, but I think part of the reason is that life has far less physical challenge than it had in the past. We don’t work anywhere near as physically hard, we don’t have a war, we aren’t fighting a battle to keep food on the table and families clothed. In the past people had no choice but to put those pressures first, they literally couldn’t afford not to, and if they did have issues with their mental health they coped with them within the family, because there was no choice.

Iam64

I often turn the radio off/shout at it when I hear people talking about ‘my mental health/my anxiety/my depression, when all too often they’re talking about feelings. More accurate description would be ‘ I worry easily’, I’m sad, I’m fed up.
We all have periods when life is tougher for whatever reason. I find the ownership , ie my depression, concerning. It almost sounds like something to nurture.

I’m not dismissing how tough life can be for all of us at times. I’m suggesting being bereaved, sad, fed up etc is very different than clinical depression or anxiety. Even more different than schizophrenia or psychosis.

Al

👏👏👏

Totally agree Iam. Well said.

Actually self diagnosis has made MH the new backache. Can’t be disproved can it?

Plus, surprise (not) benefits can now be claimed as MH is now deemed a DISABILITY. Cases have rocketed exponentially.

Strangely enough I was reading about Social Media earlier and videos / posts containing information about Mental Health.

Professionals were asked to assess them for accuracy and potential risk.
After looking at the content , the researchers found that:
83.7% were misleading, 31% contained inaccurate information
and 14.2% contained potentially damaging advice
It was felt that while social media platforms have absolutely had a positive impact on destigmatising mental illness, there’s no substitute for reliable advice from a trained professional.

I think this was really interesting as I'm convinced this is how so many younger people get their initial advice....

We have people now who view an unpleasant experience as trauma, a disagreement is gaslighting, normal conflict is abuse etc

Good post Doodledog.
We don’t want to return too close to stiff upper lip no matter what life throws at us. We don’t want to need people to reflect on what they’re finding difficult and what they can do to change things (that can be changed)

Yes, I think that it ought to be made known to the general public what the difference is between unhappiness on the one hand and clinical depression on the other.

"Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a mental health condition that causes a persistently low or depressed mood and a loss of interest in activities that once brought joy. Clinical depression can also affect how you sleep, your appetite and your ability to think clearly. "

Thanks Caleo

The more I listen to Tony Blair of late, the more I understand where he is coming from. He certainly has a point where mental health is concerned. The self-diagnosing bit is worrying, it needs to be left to the proper experts. There was a primary class teacher on the news the other day saying that more focus on Art in school was needed to help children with their (undiagnosed) mental health problems. Why not just say to boost their latent creativity and self expression, than reduce it down to their being of poor mood? Give them something to strive towards. However, I'm no expert here.

On a completely separate note, I recently listened to Tony Blair talking about the 7/7 terrorist attacks 20 years ago, and so much of what he said was thoughtful but straightforward.

Totally agree with him, it seems all the children in my granddaughters class have a label, not to detract from children with needs, but it just seems the norm now to apply labels to what mostly is peoples personality, we all have our quirks.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

I'm somewhere in between.

There are so many mental health issues, all the labelling unnecessarily does is to prevent those in genuine need from accessing services.

Quotes a deleted post.

Quotes a deleted post.

I didn't know Blair was a qualified psychiatrist.

Bridie22

Totally agree with him, it seems all the children in my granddaughters class have a label, not to detract from children with needs, but it just seems the norm now to apply labels to what mostly is peoples personality, we all have our quirks.

Yes, labels have become the norm- and I am quite sure it is not helpful to most, and to society at large.

Goodness, what did the deleted post say, I wonder? (and yes, I know I can't ask. Just come back from big dog walk, so missed it).

I completely agree with Tony Blair. Life has excitement, disappointment, worries, ups and downs; without these feelings we would be automatons with no emotions. I would add that by claiming poor mental health, many people are denying the reality of true poor mental health and its sometimes catastrophic impact on sufferers and their families. On a controversial note perhaps, I feel the same about learning difficulties, it seems that the vast majority of children are on the spectrum, have ADHD, dyslexia, are neurodiverse. As with those parents with children who do have educational or behavioural difficulties, this, to me, massive increase is a challenge for those trying to get a statement and associated help for their children.

I do not wish to offend anyone with mental health illness or with nueorodiverse children or grandchildren.

Kate1949

I didn't know Blair was a qualified psychiatrist.

He’s just saying what he thinks, much like we are on this thread. People listen to him though.

Iam64

I often turn the radio off/shout at it when I hear people talking about ‘my mental health/my anxiety/my depression, when all too often they’re talking about feelings. More accurate description would be ‘ I worry easily’, I’m sad, I’m fed up.
We all have periods when life is tougher for whatever reason. I find the ownership , ie my depression, concerning. It almost sounds like something to nurture.

I’m not dismissing how tough life can be for all of us at times. I’m suggesting being bereaved, sad, fed up etc is very different than clinical depression or anxiety. Even more different than schizophrenia or psychosis.

Al

Yes, he has got a point, RosiesMaw.

Good post, Iam64

We all suffer from anxiety or feel down at times and wouldn't be normal if we didn't.

Life can be tough, worse for some than others. Sometimes we need a helping hand, someone to talk to but it doesn't mean we have a diagnosed mental health illness.

Self-diagnosis or diagnosing others without having the qualifications and experience to do so seems to be much more prevalent now.

Claremont

Bridie22

Totally agree with him, it seems all the children in my granddaughters class have a label, not to detract from children with needs, but it just seems the norm now to apply labels to what mostly is peoples personality, we all have our quirks.

Yes, labels have become the norm- and I am quite sure it is not helpful to most, and to society at large.

Goodness, what did the deleted post say, I wonder? (and yes, I know I can't ask. Just come back from big dog walk, so missed it).

I think the deleted post sort of suggested just what you've been doing in your last sentence.
Me too, and I feel 10 times mentally better for it! 🐕

Dog walking can be therapeutic. I always feel better after exercise in the fresh air - but I’m cautious about my walks now, too many dogs with “issues” 😊.

escaped

Claremont

Bridie22

Totally agree with him, it seems all the children in my granddaughters class have a label, not to detract from children with needs, but it just seems the norm now to apply labels to what mostly is peoples personality, we all have our quirks.

Yes, labels have become the norm- and I am quite sure it is not helpful to most, and to society at large.

Goodness, what did the deleted post say, I wonder? (and yes, I know I can't ask. Just come back from big dog walk, so missed it).

I think the deleted post sort of suggested just what you've been doing in your last sentence.
Me too, and I feel 10 times mentally better for it! 🐕

Yes for remaining mentally well and improving mood, but NOT for TREATING acute and chronic MH conditions..

People no doubt feel better for exercising, but that's because they haven't a long standing, serious mental heath issue, I'd say.

Totally different kettle of fish.

Yes Iam64, my dog has issues with wanting praise and adoration from everyone he meets. He gets very down if people ignore him!
Sorry, being serious, I can't remember exactly what the post said, but the bit I retained was to do with strenuous exercise outdoors.
It rang a bell with what we are encouraged to do, often first thing in the day, with the children at school ..... get them outside, running and jumping because it is beneficial to their studies. It doesn't always work, but we need to try.

Oh, I must have skimmed the word "TREATING" if that's what was said, or meant?

Kate1949

Real mental health issues are hellish.

Have to agree.

I can't see why "We’re spending vastly more on mental health now than we did a few years ago" is relevant. The issue isn't the increased spending, but rather the cost of being ill. Early diagnosis and treatment save money.

I also think that just as many people has the same issues in the past. You just didn't hear about it as people were afraid of losing there job, etc.

It sounds as if TB is moving further to the right and giving up on workers rights.

People who have never experienced mental health problems can have no idea what it's like. When my brother was ill, I used to get annoyed with him at times. I had no idea of what he was going through until it was too late. When my mental health difficulties hit me later, only then did I have some idea of what the poor soul went through.