Is the increase in depression and mental illness increasing because we have become more and more irresponsible?

Quite early in my study of Psychology, in contrary to Behaviour therapy techniques, I was told that between a stimuli and response there is a choice. So basically a particular stimulus doesn’t lead to one particular response as it did for Pavlov’s dog. This choice which a human being asserts has a lot of power to direct his/ her life. 

These choices give us lot of freedom to not fall prey of the external forces and help stir our destiny. But choices can be taken responsibly. If have to let go something to get something. 

Like very recently I put one post which said woman who do excel in professional life find it difficult to find a good match but non professional girls are not taken seriously. So whichever one you choose to be you will pay some cost or the other.

I am reminded of the dialogue in Yeh jawani hai Diwani of Deepika Padukone (Naina) to Ranbir Kapoor (Bunny) Jitna bhi try karo, kuch na kuch toh chhootega hi. 

But the child in us wants everything which is just impossible thus frustration. If these frustrations are not handled responsibly there are conflicts/distress/ mental illness. We have to manage our frustrations better. And be responsible towards the cost we can pay for what we want.

Like a fit body, Fit mind is very important.

With improvement in medical knowledge the life expectancy of people has increased. But the sad part is due to changing life scenarios the mental health has deteriorated. World health organisation has predicted Depression to be the second leading cause of global disability burden by 2020. Depression, anxiety and somatic complaints, affect approximately 1 in 3 people in the community and constitute a serious public health problem.

Although we cannot change much of what is happening around but we can help ourselves.

1. Lead a healthy lifestyle:  We in pressure to run the rat race lead a risky lifestyle that is making our life very stressful. We are falling a trap of behaviours like smoking, unhealthy diet, in-appropriate nutrition and alcohol (which together account for many CHD and cancer deaths), poor diet leading to obesity (reducing life expectancy) or alternatively malnutrition, lack of physical exercise, irregular sleep patterns, sexual behaviour (for example, leading to infection or teenage pregnancy), and problems resulting from drug taking. It is necessary to break these unhealthy lifestyle patters which will keep us physically healthy and mentally fit.

2. Monitor mental health by the use of apps: Companies like Livonics, Apple etc are now providing apps to regularly monitor happiness, mental health fitness and other psychological factors. These apps give regular feedback and thus we can keep ourselves on the correction course. 

3. Break barriers and Seek help at the earliest: Guillver et al in 2010 identified key barriers to seek help included

a.                  Stigma and embarrassment

b.                  Problem recognising symptoms (poor mental heath literacy)

c.                   Preference for self-reliance

d.                  Confidentiality and trust

e.                  Hopelessness

Breaking these barriers is important as early diagnosis and intervention provide better prognosis and better management of the problem. Sukoon Psychotherapy Center with its initiatives like Sukoon: Pledge to seek Help, are actively involved in helping you to become aware about various mental health issues and providing self help tips to prevent and support interventions.

Only a balanced and fit mind can be your sails to take your boat forward smoothly in this ocean of life.

Thus, Lets Pledge to seek professional help when needed, as it can help adjust your mind's sails in the right direction and to take you smoothly through this oceanic journey of life.

The Spineless ones

As hunters and food collectors, the male species had great dominance due to their physical strength. With time and with academic and technological revolution, the brain and intellect became more important over physique. Now people on high profile positions might not have giant physiques, but apparently show lot of intellectual knowledge. Now a girl can’t be won by hitting the eye of a moving fish, but by being a high profiled professional who earns in 7/8 digits. 

Our stereotypical male thought because he would always be physically stronger than a female, she will always be subdued. But now as the competition is with the brain and knowledge, women outgrew men and stopped taking their dominance. The inability to compete with her in brain race has cause of big hit for a male with blotted male ego.

Along with the change in the position of woman of 21^st century, sons of these mothers’ adapted to this changing scenario. The sons who respected this growth of their mother can respect this dynamic change but the remaining are like frustrated animals attacking every girl from birth to grave to prove their manliness which cannot be achieved like this anymore.

Corruption of the mind

Is corruption only in our Politics? Or are we becoming corrupt in our minds?

Pleasure principle is the basic make up of our psyche. On birth, the Placenta is cut and the baby is dependent on the mother for the pleasure of being fed and cleanliness. Which defines the blue print of our first social relationship. If this relationship is healthy, the child learns to trust people and sacrifice for others' needs. But if there is over indulgence or absence of a nurturing and caring mother, this child cannot trust the world. Lack of trust makes this baby insecure and ready to be corrupt to fulfil the basic pleasurable desires. Further during its growing years, the child’s corrupted behaviour in other relationships is counterproductive, leading to more rejection and feeling of distrust. And, over a period of time, this cycle of rejection, distrust and corruption continues. 

The question arises- 'Can we have a break through!!'