According to Mental Health America, 50 million US adults suffer from some form of mental illness. That’s 19.86% of the adult population that struggles in some way with a mental health condition, of which, more than half do not receive any sort of treatment. With nearly 1 in 5 American adults having a diagnosable mental health condition, the need for mental health awareness grows with every passing day.

With most physical, chronic illnesses, like Cancer, Asthma, Heart Disease, or Crohn’s Disease, treatment begins immediately to address the symptoms and provide greater longevity to those suffering. When someone begins to experience the beginning stages of a disease and exhibit symptoms like shortness of breath, a tightening chest, or stomach pain, care is taken to quickly treat those symptoms so that they do not turn into something greater.

The same mentality should be taken when addressing mental health conditions. As soon as someone begins to exhibit symptoms such as, feeling depressed, feeling sluggish all the time, feeling anxious, losing sleep, or thinking of committing suicide, it is imperative to provide that same intervention as one would when being treated for something physical. Initially, early symptoms may be fleeting, and possibly may even go away on their own. However, when the symptoms do not disappear, ignoring them without the right treatment can cause them to manifest into something much more devastating, that not only affects the individual, but those around them, too.

Our goal at Alexandria-Washington #22 is to provide insights into various mental health conditions so that those struggling can identify how they are feeling, and seek the proper treatment available. As a fraternal organization, we are charged with looking after one another as much as we can, and as far as our abilities may permit. We aim to assist those in need, and want to offer information that may prove beneficial to those looking for assistance, to provide that support that will help those in living full and rewarding lives.

Most people experience feelings of anxiety before an important event such as a big exam, business presentation or first date. Anxiety disorders, however, are illnesses that cause people to feel frightened, distressed and uneasy for no apparent reason. Left untreated, these disorders can dramatically reduce productivity and significantly diminish an individual’s quality of life.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in America; over 21% of adults (42.5 million) are affected by these debilitating illnesses each year.

Characteristics/Symptoms Include:

• Feeling restless
• Feeling tired
• Difficulty concentrating or losing their train of thought
• Irritability
• Muscle pain, tightness, or soreness
• Difficulty sleeping – both falling asleep or staying asleep or being rested

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a disorder of emotion regulation affecting up to 5% of the population. Up until a few decades ago, those diagnosed with the disorder were thought to be untreatable. Despite this shift, individuals living with BPD continue to face surplus stigma. However, evidence-based treatments, have helped changed the narrative for people with the disorder to one of recovery and hope.

BPD can affect anyone, but it is often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. Up to 40% of teens who are hospitalized in mental health treatment facilities have the disorder, making early intervention very important. Ten percent of patients with BPD complete suicide. Females appear to be at greater risk of developing BPD than males.

Characteristics/Symptoms:

Many symptoms of Borderline Personality disorder are similar to those found in other disorders, such as anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and other personality disorders like:

• histrionic personality self-dramatizing, self-indulgent, demanding, excitable, vain
• narcissistic personality intolerant of criticism, self-important, lacking in empathy, envious, constantly demanding special favors
• antisocial personality callous, reckless, impulsive, irritable, deceitful, and emotionally shallow.

The symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder can be summarized as instability in mood, thinking, behavior, personal relationships, and self-image.

For a diagnosis, individuals must meet at least five out of the nine criteria according to the DSM-V

• Perceived or real fears of abandonment
• Intense mood swings, brief periods of severe depression or anxiety
• Impulsivity
• Unstable intense relationships
• Self-injurious and suicidal behaviors
• Chronic feelings of emptiness
• Inappropriate, intense anger and rage
• Unstable sense of self
• Dissociation and feelings of detachment

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer intensely from recurrent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or rituals (compulsions), which they feel they cannot control. Rituals, such as handwashing, counting, checking or cleaning, are often performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them increases anxiety. Left untreated, obsessions and the need to perform rituals can take over a person’s life. OCD is often a chronic, relapsing illness.

Characteristics/Symptoms:

Obsessions are thoughts, images or impulses that occur repeatedly. The person does not want to have these ideas, finds them disturbing and intrusive and, usually, recognizes that they really don’t make sense. Obsessions are accompanied by uncomfortable feelings, such as fear, disgust or doubt. Common obsessions include contamination fears, imagining having harmed self or others, imagining losing control of aggressive urges, intrusive sexual thoughts or urges, excessive religious or moral doubt, or a need to tell, ask or confess.

People with OCD typically try to make their obsessions go away by performing compulsions. Compulsions are acts the person repeatedly performs, often according to certain “rules.” These rituals are performed to obtain relief from the discomfort caused by the obsessions. Examples of compulsions are washing, repeating, checking, touching, counting, ordering/arranging, hoarding or saving, and praying.

In some instances, a person may suffer from only obsessions or only compulsions.

OCD symptoms cause distress, take up a lot of time (more than an hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person’s work, social life or relationships.

Most individuals with OCD recognize that their obsessions are not just excessive worries about real problems and that the compulsions they perform are excessive or unreasonable. The extent to which a person with OCD realizes that his or her beliefs and actions are unreasonable is called his or her “insight.”

Psychosis is a general term to describe a set of symptoms of mental illnesses that result in strange or bizarre thinking, perceptions (sight, sound), behaviors, and emotions. Psychosis is a brain-based condition that is made better or worse by environmental factors – like drug use and stress.

One frequently cited statistic is that 1% of the population is diagnosed with Schizophrenia in their lifetime, but actually 3.5% of the population experiences psychosis. Hearing voices and seeing things that aren’t there are more common than we think. While these experiences can be scary and confusing, it is possible to recover and getting better, especially when we tackle issues early

Characteristics/Symptoms:

• Hearing or seeing something that isn’t there
• A constant feeling of being watched
• Disorganized or bizarre speech or writing
• Inappropriate or unusual behavior
• Strange body movements or positioning
• Feeling indifferent or numb about important situations
• Deterioration of academic or work performance
• A change in personal hygiene and appearance
• A change in personality
• Increasing withdrawal from social situations
• Irrational, angry or fearful response to loved ones
• Inability to sleep or concentrate
• Extreme preoccupation or fears that seem bizarre

A suicide attempt is a clear indication that someone is struggling and needs immediate help. The majority of suicides worldwide are related to mental health disorders; depression, substance use, and psychosis are the biggest risk factors.

Warning Signs:

• Verbal statements such as, “you’d be better off without me” or “maybe I won’t be around.”
• Expressions of hopelessness and helplessness
• Previous suicide attempts
• Daring or risk-taking behavior
• Personality changes
• Depression
• Giving away valued and important possessions
• Lack of interest in future plans

Remember: 8 out of 10 people who are considering suicide give some sign of their intentions. Talking about suicide is not a typical response to stress. All talk of suicide should be taken seriously and be addressed immediately.

If You Think Someone Is Considering Suicide

• Trust your instincts that the person may be in trouble.
• Talk with the person about your concerns. Communication needs to include listening to the person.
• Ask direct questions without being judgmental. Determine if the person has a specific plan to carry out the suicide. The more detailed the plan, the greater the risk.
• Get professional help, even if the person resists.
• Do not leave the person alone.
• Do not swear to secrecy.
• Do not act shocked or judgmental.
• Do not counsel the person yourself.

Resources:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• The TrevorLifeline for LGBTQIA+ Youth : 1-866-488-7386⠀
• Crisis Text Line : Text ‘MHA’ to 741741
• Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 and Press 1
• Warmlines (For those who aren’t in crisis, but still want to talk to someone): http://www.warmline.org
• Dial 211 : 211 provides callers with information about and referrals to social services for every day needs and in times of crisis. Learn more: https://www.helplinecenter.org/
• Find MHA in your area: https://arc.mentalhealthamerica.net/find-an-affiliate
• SAMHSA Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov