WE NEED TO START EARLY

The life of a young adult is a like a rollercoaster that last for years. With emotional ups and downs and ins and outs, a young person can feel on the verge of something – anything – long after puberty sets in. Early adulthood is a period marked by changes and growth physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is also during this time that the onset of mental health disorders can occur – illnesses that can severely impact the life of the individual for years to come.

First, it’s understood that young adults can be moody, cranky, and angst-ridden with or without the influence of a mental health disorder. That’s just part of growing up. Young adults generally love or hate things, and one bad day can make them feel like the world is toppling down. Because young people are prone to mood swings and often feel out of control, it may be hard to identify what is a mental health disorder and what are normal growing pains. But there are indicators that a young person’s bad mood may be a little bit more serious

It is estimated by ChildTrends.org that approximately one in five adolescents has a diagnosable mental health disorder. These disorders can range from depression, anxiety and autism spectrum disorder to personality and behavioral disorders. This is a time also when mental illnesses can be first recognized in a person. Typically, up to half of all substance abuse and mental health disorders have roots or can be identified before age 14. The number climbs to three-quarters by age 24.

Genetics and family situations do tend to have a role in adolescent mental health. Males tend to have behavioral and autism spectrum disorders as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while females are often prone to depression and eating disorders. People who were raised in families of abuse (sexual or physical), whose parents have lower levels of education, or whose parents also have mental health disorders tend to be predisposed to mental health conditions of their own.

The National Institute of Mental Health Disorders estimates that 3.7 percent of children ages 8 to 15 have depression in the United States. It is the most prevalent of mental health disorders among those at this age, with at least 25 percent of high school students exhibiting some mild symptoms. The British Medical Journal cited that approximately 8 to 10 percent have severe depressive symptoms. As with depression in adults, adolescent depression is often marked by the same overwhelming sadness, anger and melancholy. Unlike adults, however, teenage depression may include more irritability than sadness, as well as hostility. Teenagers experiencing depression may also be hypersensitive and complain of headaches or stomach-aches.  In addition to these signs and the above generalized symptoms, you may also want to look for:

• Feelings of worthlessness, loneliness or helplessness
• Problems concentrating
• Extreme fatigue or disinterest
• Frequent crying
• Thoughts of suicide or preoccupation with death

If we cant sort this out now then the stigma continues because its learnt behaviour. Explain to young people of today its fine to talk. Why is mental illness the unspoken illness. 

Act now and talk.

THE MINDSET TRIANGLE.

Who remembers their lovely science class at school on the fire triangle, for a fire to burn you need Heat, Fuel and Oxygen. Without one the fire will distinguish. I work with the same principle for a healthy mind set.

Might sound silly living your life to a triangle but it works for me and it’s so simple to follow and stick up around the house like on the beer fridge or the draw that holds all the take away menus. Just to give you that second thought to change your mind of your actions. I find it really useful to reflect on why I feel like I do, if one morning the 10 stone duvet has got hold of me and won’t let me up I always look at the 3 elements first. EXERCISE, SLEEP AND HEALTHY EATING / DRINKING. 9 out of 10 times I hit the nail on the head within a few seconds and know where to make the changes.

Exercise.

I'm not saying you need to sign up for the next marathon or become an Ironman overnight but exercise is the best medicine for depression. Choose to walk to the shop instead of drive, take the stairs at work instead of the lift, take your kids to the park with a ball. There are many ways to get that endorphins release. It’s not until I am feeling down and can’t be arsed to go to the gym I notice my mood change, not straight away but if I am lethargic for a couple of days the first step is the hardest as it is with most things but once you do the rest of the steps will follow and you will feel better and motivated. 

Sleep

This is the hardest one out of the 3 as with the other 2 you can control. How is it, that you are tired sitting on the sofa so you go upstairs get into bed and you are wide awake for bloody ages. It’s not until your alarm clock goes off that you realise how tired you are and how heavy that duvet is. How can you help with this? Stop looking at anything digital I-pads, phones, T.V's, laptops the lot at least 30 mins before you want or need to be asleep. It triggers brain activity and you will want to chill out and relax. I have never been a reader but I find this to chill me out and get me in the mood for sleeping. I think routine is a good one as well, yeah have a lie in at the weekend but in the week try and set the alarm to go off at the same time and go upstairs at the same time.

Healthy Eating and Drinking

My favourite subject but also the one that has the most temptation. Looking back over the years I’ve had depression but wasn't aware at the time I used to drink a fair bit, I wouldn't say I had a problem but if I was stressed or had a bad day the offie would be the port of call on the way home. I also have the no pint or 10 pint characteristic to my personality. I'm not so bad now I’m older but in the past if I had 10 in the fridge I would off stayed up until they were drank. The trouble is with depression and alcohol is that alcohol is a depressant so with drinking a lot whilst being depressed just causes a firework display in the noggin. During the drinking part though it makes you happy and that you can take on the world or it does for me, I'm not saying don’t drink but you need to do it in moderation and know your limits or trust someone enough to tell you your limit.

Next subject is about what I love........ FOOD, Cooking, eating and everything about it. I understand not everyone has the same passion but it doesn't compute in my brain when someone says they can’t cook,  or I haven't got time to prepare a meal or the best one I don't like healthy food. Same as the alcohol everything in moderation. No need for you to go on an "I only eat dust" diet, it’s just healthy living. A bit of planning and room in the freezer there’s no reason why not, it makes you feel better in yourself and goes side by side with the other 2 elements. Who knows you may even lose a couple of inches or pounds to top it off. 




Over the next few blogs I shall be sharing with you some videos of cooking healthily and working alongside The Mind Set Triangle.​

What is the deal with Stigma???

STIGMA
noun (plural stigmas or especially in sense 2 stigmata /-mətə, -ˈmɑːtə/) 
Mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person: the stigma of mental disorder or debt etc.


Just a few facts for you to have a look over before I jump onto my bandwagon.

• Stigma can cause mental illness and emotional trauma and often will lead to suicidal thoughts. 6,000 people commit suicide every year and the figure is rising. Currently, that's one person every two hours, every day.
• 1 in 4 people suffer Mental illness in the UK. Depression is more common than the common cold. 
• A greater number of British troops have been lost to suicide than have been lost in battle. Suicide often occurs because no practical help is available and no other viable option can be envisaged.
•  Women are more likely to be treated for mental health problems although British men are three times as likely to die by suicide than British women.
• Only 1 in 10 prisoners has no mental disorder.

Which fact baffles you the most?

There are many more stats about mental illness which are just as surprising. So why cant we talk about it to our peers? Is it because you cant see it? Or is it because you have a big house, big car, good job how can you have a reason to be depressed.

The chances are there is someone in you circle of friends or family that is suffering from mental illness. The one thing for them is to talk about it but find it hard because of the stigma or male pride. 

I still get dark days and most of the time haven't got a clue why and its nice to just say to a mate or wife or anybody really I'm having a shit one. I'm not asking for sympathy because the pat on back or cuddle will prob not help as will still feel shit after but knowing them there helps and just a random chat about sport or something completely off topic.

We need to kick this stigma into touch and talk about it. Too many people are dieing from suicide because they feel alone or helpless and a lot of it is due to society and why it is frowned upon because your "not wired up right." 

Lets get amongst it and talk about it. Im taking part in a 10 mile walk around the streets of London on the 14th May for a charity called Clasp. Get yourself down there and spread the word its good to talk.