04.21.06
Foreground, Background, body & mind
Everyone has problems & a certain amount of mental anguish, which is amplified if they are physically unfit or in bad health.-That is why it is so unfair, when individuals are struck down, through no fault of their own with an illness, this ultimately has a dramatic effect on their mental health & they have to fight on both fronts, while also dealing with the outside world. It also works the other way round, in the sense that someone’s fragile mental state can profoundly effect them physically-they are trapped inside their heads & have little awareness of their physical envelope.I guess that’s what’s known as ‘depression’.(>insert dancing poodles here-Yay! partytime!!)
Increasingly, I’ve been asking myself-what is mental health? Where do you draw the line? It’s hard to pinpoint in this current climate of regression-the idiots who govern us, rampant fundamentalism, complete disregard for the environment. Of course on a human scale-things can just happen in the brain-resulting in a mental illness, or people are born with a condition. But for the most part, I think people who may be mentally ill today,-initially retreated ‘inside their minds’ as a result of external aggression, physical or otherwise. In my experience, extreme physical pain & mental tourment at an early age can set a path and alter your ‘intended’ personality forever. Then it’s up to you to pick up the pieces & process your experiences-& eventually give something back to the world. I’m probably stating the obvious & the very fact that I’m pondering on the nature of mental health in the first place, may be testament to my being ‘crackers’. I don’t know, why am I writing this? Why do I constantly feel the need to justify my existence?-I know for one thing, many of us are starved of affection & if you don’t go the extra mile & take the step towards others- noone will come towards you. We should stop being so hard on ourselves & just concentrate on breathing, moving, listening, laughing, smelling, running,dancing- and the odd funny walk with a hairy fish-to make those who impose labels on us think they are right!
Lynn said,
April 23, 2006 at 8:10 pm
(FYI- Ah-ha! I just discovered that this is your blog and not a podcast!)
As someone who has issues with social anxiety/ panic disorder, I can relate to what you are saying. Over here (and I assume – really anywhere in the world) mental health is a huge issue. People are becoming more open with it, but there still seems to be a huge stigma attached. I think most are afraid to admit they have problems because they are terrified it will be viewed as a weakness, make them unlovable, or somehow be used against them. Nobody wants to be viewed as “damaged goods”. (I have a pile of self-help books as proof)
But – when all of my anxiety surfaced and I started talking to people about it, I found that at least 75% of my friends were either on anti-depressants, in therapy, or having some form of a quarter-life crisis. Maybe it is just the people I surround myself with, ( as I think artistic types tend to be more sensitive, philosophical, and introspective) but that is still a HUGE proportion!
It leads me to believe that having mental health issues is just a by-product of living in contemporary society. Sometimes I think people who are admittedly “crackers” are the only genuine people left. Everyone is faced with the pressures of “succeeding” in life, conforming, consumerism, and buying into some whole sale idea of perfection. It takes a large dose of bravery to do otherwise. I think those who blindly follow and accept will never fully understand themselves, or the entity of beauty that life has to offer.
To be fair- it isn’t anyones fault. It is easy to see why most people choose not to challenge the norm. A challenge against it would equate to a challenge on themselves and their foundations. In a time when everything is so uncertain, over-saturated, and overwhelming to begin with, that is probably the last thing that most people desire.
Still, being labeled as an outsider can put you in touch with yourself and make you a stronger person. It is not an easy thing to do, however. It can be a scary and lonely place that brings about insecurities, doubt and frustration. I think trick is finding balance. Find those people that you can trust and identify with because they are the ones that will also bring peace of mind.
(Now if you’ll excuse me… I’m going to take my “wisdom” and go back to writing fortunes at the fortune cookie factory.
)
Anthony said,
April 24, 2006 at 10:19 am
ACK! Lynn you are fantastic. That is the most outsanding & wise comment I have ever had in here. I think I may replace my post with yours! Really great, very well put indeed.
The truth is, I hate dwelling on myself- sometimes the feedback you can get from people- inevitably forces you to ask questions about yourself. In other words, you don’t feel like an outsider until you are made to feel that way, like some kid in a playground.( as you know, it can be very subtle: you don’t have to be a pot smoking hippy!) My dad died after a period of mental illness. Clinically, he had a form of Altzheimer’s- but deep down it stemmed from his inability to express HIMSELF. It was all bottled up, he was in a job he hated, his wife was ill & one of his children was a Kool-aid junkie(!)…Anyway, you’re right- finding the balance is essential.
Peace of mind..thanks for giving me a piece of yours*