Freeing Our Minds

Depression, anxiety, phobias, trauma, suicide and eating disorders are among the top mental health concerns women are facing. Like physical illnesses, mental health symptoms are often different in women than men. This makes it even more important to pay attention to our natural range of emotions so we are able to identify irregularities in our mood and get help. If we're fortunate, our friends, family and even colleagues may share their concerns if they notice an unusual or ongoing change in our disposition or behavior. Awareness is key to remaining healthy physically and mentally. Here are tips on being prepared for mental health emergencies and facts about women and common mental health conditions. 

Be prepared for a mental health emergency: 

1. Ask your local doctor or mental health provider for an emergency phone number for the mental health crisis team in your area. If you or your loved one is ever in a mental health crisis this is an option in addition to calling emergency services. 

2. Always call 9-1-1 for help if you or your loved one is ever in a physical and mental health crisis and specify if it is a mental health emergency in addition to a physical emergency.

3. Ask the 9-1-1 operator if a crisis team specialist can be sent in addition to the emergency responders.

4. Have the names and dosage of any medication available that the person in crisis has been prescribed and/or taken prior to the emergency.
5. Notify the emergency responders of any allergies to medications and food.

How serious is mental health for women? Women are:

• twice as likely as men to get depressed (12% of women tend to become depressed)

• attempting suicide two or three times more often than men

• twice as likely to have panic disorder, generalized anxiety, and specific phobias
• 85% of all anorexia and bulimia cases and 65% of binge-eating disorder cases

• twice as likely to develop PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) after a traumatic event

Mental Health Moment: What is Agoraphobia? 

MayoClinic.com explains, "Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which you avoid situations that you're afraid might cause you to panic. You might avoid being alone, leaving your home or any situation where you could feel trapped, embarrassed or helpless if you do panic. People with agoraphobia often have a hard time feeling safe in any public place, especially where crowds gather. The fears can be so overwhelming that you may be essentially trapped in your own home." Agoraphobia can be brought on by a traumatic or severely stressful situation and is often accompanied by panic attacks. Individuals living with agoraphobia may find it difficult to drive, socialize, travel or be outside of their home for any length of time to avoid 'phobic moments' and 'panic.' (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/agoraphobia/DS00894)

Agoraphobia arises from an internal anxiety condition that has become so intense that the suffering individual fears going anywhere or doing anything where these feelings of panic have repeatedly occurred before. Once the panic attacks have started, these episodes become the ongoing stress, even when other more obvious pressures have diminished. This sets up a "feedback condition" which generally leads to increased numbers of panic attacks and, for some people, an increase in the situations or events which can produce panicky feelings. Others experience fearful feelings continuously, more a feeling of overall. discomfort, rather than panic. A person may fear having anxiety attacks, "losing control", or embarrassing him/herself in such situations. Many people remain in a painful state of anxious anticipation because of these fears. Some become restricted or "housebound" while others function "normally" but with great difficulty, often attempting to hide their discomfort." (http://pages.infinit.net/drnayman/agorapho.htm)

This week pay attention to the voice on the inside. How are you feeling emotionally? Are you avoiding people or situations out of fear or not wanting to confront ongoing issues? Most of us are not agoraphobic but we have tendencies and behaviors that many who suffer from agoraphobia have. When we're upset or mildly traumatized we often put up walls in affected areas of our lives. We may not be house bound, but many of us are yet bound by the opinions of others, embarrassment, failure and we're also feeling trapped by decisions and situations we may not be able to change. Today, there's freedom in awareness. If you're feeling that you've gone beyond your normal range of emotions, please reach out to those close to you and ask for help and/or visit a mental health provider in your area.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we ask you to free our minds from things we can't control. Help us to cast our cares on you. Please bring balance, freedom and emotional wholeness to our lives and the wisdom to walk in it continuously. Allow us to not be bound by fear from past hurts and to operate in mental and emotional freedom in Jesus' name we pray. We give you glory and honor this day, Amen.

For additional prayer visit: 

http://tabernacleofpraisemin.org/ or call 781-963-5300.

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About the author

Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and mother who is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family; comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"