Mental Health

Why is Mental Health Considered a Taboo Around the Globe

Why is Mental Health Still Considered a Taboo Around the Globe

Mental health has been prevalent and has been a topic of discussion for ages but is still addressed at a surface level. Many aren’t even aware that they suffer from mental disorders and most of them are just brushed off as stress, anger issues or there is nothing called mental health and it’s all in your mind.

Due to being raised in an abusive and toxic environment, I often suffered digestive issues, headaches, and had panic attack 2-3 times. And my health issues only increased because I attracted toxic people everywhere in my life- friends, partners, colleagues, and relatives.

After struggling with stress for years, I finally discovered that I was suffering from an anxiety disorder, gad (generalised anxiety disorder), ptsd or post traumatic stress disorder and chronic depression.

Series of research about the subject made me realize that mental health (anxiety disorder being part of it) is still considered as a stigma in many countries. It is time to create awareness about mental health.

Thanks to social media, the pressure to be the best and modern-day life, financial constraints, job insecurity, and feeling that “I am alone and no one cares for me”.

Why is mental health considered as taboo around the globe
Image Courtesy:- Photo clicked by Cristian Newman on Unsplash

Mental health-related issues like depression, suicide, anxiety disorder, social anxiety, anxiety attack, panic attack, OCD, phobia, etc. have seen an almost 10-fold increase in the past few years.

I have heard these phrases many times- “it’s all in your head”, “these are all stupid modern terms, we never had these issues” or my favourite “this is all because of watching TV and surfing the net.

Why is that such a crucial and common topic gets swept under the carpet? We will try to answer these questions as well as uncover these topics.

You may like: Depression- Symptoms & Causes

But first, let’s go through some statistics here: –

According to mental health statistics, Mental health and substance abuse affect almost 13% of the world population which has increased due to the COVID Pandemic. Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide.

Almost 75% of people suffering from mental health issues don’t even seek professional help. Many people across the globe including in developed countries are not even aware that they suffer from mental illness or mental disorder of any sort. 

Do you feel that people take advantage of you because you like helping others and can’t say “No”? But this leaves you with lots of stress, tiredness, irritability and no time for yourself.

If you want to stop this along with many other habits that hold you back, then read our ebook- Toxic people: Learn to identify & handle them & rediscover yourself. Click on the link below to buy the ebook.

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Why do people hesitate to talk about mental health?

Mental health is considered taboo and there are a lot of stigmas attached to it. The major reason why the mental disorder is not even considered an illness is that we don’t see a physical injury or impairment.

Stigma around Mental Health
Image Courtesy:- Photo clicked by Noah Buscher on Unsplash

The person suffering from mental illness looks fine from the outside. Certain mental disorders are encountered by strange or aggressive behaviour. Those who showcase these symptoms are likely to encounter hatred, fear, and superstitions like being processed by witches or evil.

Thereafter, a lot of dangerous practices are performed on the person to ward off the evil. Some include electric shocks, beating with brooms, sticks and belts or locking up.

Although these practices are more prevalent in rural areas, the stories of urban places are not so different.

Often, mental health issues are brushed off saying that it is just stress and will be fine in some time.

Why mental illness is considered a taboo
Image Courtesy: Photo clicked by Naomi August on Unsplash

Unfortunately, many people are still unaware of the difference between Mental Retardation and Mental Illness. The fact is these two are completely different.

What is included in mental health?

Mental health is a big umbrella and many types of mental disorders are included in it.

Mood Disorder (Depression or Bipolar Disorder)

It is a condition where an individual faces major mood swings and gets frequent suicidal thoughts.

Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety is very common but a person suffering from anxiety disorder feels anxious and fears even the smallest irrelevant things.

It affects his/her ability to concentrate, sleep and do mundane ordinary tasks.

GAD or Generalised Anxiety Disorder

In this, an individual gets prone to overthinking and ruminating thoughts. The problem is that they overthink everything to the extreme level. Anxiety Disorder and GAD can be combined into one.

Related:- How to Stop Overthinking- 7 Best Ways | Revamp Mind

Personality Disorder

People with personality disorders find it hard to form relationships, change their behaviour patterns or adapt to different situations.

Depression Mental Health Disorders
Image Courtesy: Unsplash

Psychotic Disorder like Schizophrenia

Individuals suffering from this disorder may experience hallucinations and delusions.

They may also suffer from a split personality. The suicide rate is high among these people.

Substance Abuse Disorder

Substance abuse includes people associated with drug addiction.

Eating Disorder

This is a mental health condition that involves an unhealthy relationship with food, especially junk food eating, which can put the individual in the overweight or obesity category.

Trauma-Related Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

An individual suffering from this disorder is not able to forget the abusive childhood or traumatic event like death, physical, mental or sexual abuse, serious injury, natural disaster etc.

Watch our Youtube video on Types of Anxiety Disorders

Awareness about mental health

There are many ways through which we can spread the word about mental health. Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Talk to your loved ones especially if you notice a change in their behavior.
  2. Talk about mental health with children and teenagers.
  3. Use regular stress buster methods which give instant stress relief like meditation, exercise, walking, running, watching something comedy or as simple as talking to someone. I do deep breathing and practice mindfulness to relax my mind.
  4. Share your story or host a mental health screening event.
  5. Encourage people to seek professional help like a Psychological counselor or a mental health professional if required
  6. Interact regularly with parents and elders. Encourage them to take part in different activities. Loneliness is one of the major causes of depression (Amazon affiliate link).
  7. Write a blog post on mental health awareness or make a short film.

Remember that often uncontrollable stress is the first step to anxiety and all other mental health issues. So, observe your body’s symptoms and work to reduce your cortisol (stress hormones) level.

This may also lead to an increase in mental health issues. Now is the time to be calm (Amazon affiliate link) and patient. Talk openly about your feeling to someone who may listen and not judge you.

Check our other mental health blogs: Category: Mental Health

Featured Image Courtesy: Photo clicked by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

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About Nitya Rambhadran

Nitya Rambhadran is a founder of Revamp Mind | Blogger | YouTuber | Author | Mindset Coach. An aspiring thought leader who helps people find their inner strength and make a difference in their lives.
View all posts by Nitya Rambhadran →

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