Mental Illness/Health Part 2
Mental illness is probably the most misunderstood illnesses. Many times there is no rhyme nor reason as to why you are acting the way you are. It can be something that you may have lived with most of your life. Or it could be something that is a new part of your life. Either way, it is unwelcome. And it doesn't just effect you. Sadly, it will be your family that takes the brunt of your illness. It's just plain hard for everyone in your family, your circle of friends and the people you work with.
I have Bipolar Disorder and General Anxiety Disorder. My dad died from dementia. His grandfather was an alcoholic and stepped in front of a train and his biological father hanged himself. I want to be clear about something; mental illness is not sinful in and of itself. However, it will manifest itself in any number of sinful actions.
The Mayo Clinic defines mental illness this way: “Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health
conditions or disorders that effect your mood, thinking and behavior."
The best known are (in no particular order): Depression, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorders ADHD, Alzheimer’s, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Multiple Personality Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Dementia, Bipolar Disorder, and Anxiety Disorders.
The statistics would lead one to believe that mental illness should be better understood, but, sadly, that is not the case in most ways.
*200 behaviors that can be classified as a mental illness.
*54% of people in the U.S. struggle with some sort of mental illness per year.
*1 in 4 pastors struggle with a mental illness.
*Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year.
*90% of marriages involving at least one bipolar spouse will end in divorce.