Living with mental illness

Abraham Lincoln, Janet Jackson, Mark Twain, John Denver, Princess Diana, Anne Rice, Britney Spears, Michelangelo. Other than being names that are familiar to us all due to their respective talents and achievements, what do these individuals have in common? All of these folks lived or are living with mental illness.

Do we think any less of them or minimize their success? Do we place greater emphasis on their achievements IN SPITE of this? Well, hopefully, neither one. Persons living with mental illness have just as many attributes, talents and challenges as anyone not living with a mental illness. Just like being diagnosed with heart disease, cancer or diabetes, no one asks for or deserves a mental illness diagnosis.

Mental illness is treatable and with the right combination of support coupled with individual motivation and readiness, the prognosis for recovery is favorable. Recovery does not mean a complete remission or extinction of symptoms, but rather, the ability to sustain a meaningful and fulfilling life despite these symptoms.

A number of supports are available in our community to treat individuals with mental illness. Counseling to provide an avenue for one to process the grief associated with the diagnosis along with strategies to overcome clinical challenges; behavior modification through programs such as psychosocial rehabilitation or group work; case management to provide linkages to community supports and resources; medication management to address any chemical imbalances are all options that should be considered.

If you or someone you love may have a mental health condition, please see your primary care physician for an evaluation for possible treatment. Great accomplishments and success lie ahead!