Jojo,
I was reading your article about antidepressants which mentions talking therapy for those struggling with their mental health. Surely for some, depression is just a chemical imbalance and no amount of talking can fix things? I don’t believe everyone has underlying causes. We have to be careful not to discredit the work being done to ensure mental health is aligned with physical health. Sometimes there are no explanations why a child or adult would get cancer.
This must be viewed in the same way that depression can hit a child or adult. Depression and cancer are used as examples due to their prevalence and notoriety.
Thanks for your time
Thanks for raising this and a very interesting point.
Absolutely, poor mental health can be triggered or caused by chemicals. I have a powerful podcast going live this weekend about the hormone dips and spikes women experience throughout the monthly cycle. Throughout April, we have been raising awareness of Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition in which a woman has severe depression symptoms, irritability, and tension before menstruation. The symptoms of PMDD are more severe than those seen with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and as a result, GP’s are now offering antidepressants for this. This is one example of many. We also know that some people are more prone to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety due to genetics. I’m one of those people, why is why I am constantly working on my mind and doing my research. We know that the NHS is around 17 years behind in terms of their mental health research due to a lack of funding and we need as many people as possible invested in making a positive change.
I want to stress too, that nobody has a perfect life and we all have a mind that we need to look after as much as our body. We also know that environmental factors, such as psychological stress, traumatic events early in childhood, or stress later in adulthood can put us at a greater risk. Don’t get me started on the pressures today with social media.
What we also know categorically is that we can heal the body through the power of our mind. I have been reminded this year, whilst completing the mindful based living course, that people that are depressed and anxious have lost touch with the present moment, they are in a cycle of recurring thoughts and feelings about life, themselves, past events and being regularly pulled back into these cycles. I have been there myself. In many ways, us humans are addicted to negativity. Many are drawn towards the news (which is mostly negative). The body craves the familiar chemicals associated with the feeling of being depressed or anxious. It wants familiarity and the brain provides the repetition of the neural pathway that pulls people back into these past emotional states over and over. Why do you think so many love crime and horror films?
We also know that talking therapy can have a tremendous impact for the better. I’ve interviewed hundreds of people about their mental health over the past 4 years. I have written of many in my book and put 46 of those interviews live so far on my podcast, which has been described as excellent free therapy and motivational content. Talking helps. It heals. But we need to be open minded to it and push the fear aside. That can take time and it is a personal journey.
Let me get the lovely Ruth back, working within the Mental Health industry from the age of 20, Ruth is a University qualified and BACP registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist with a passion for whole body health, and a specialised focus in Trauma Counselling.
Thanks so much for getting in touch and sharing, I know I can speak for us both when I say that sharing and discussion is something Jojo and I love best!
At no point would I discredit the work being done to align Whole Body Health. It’s where the whole premise of Honed came from, and my husband, a GP himself, is doing a huge amount in his own field to push for Whole Body Health approaches. However, statistics are unfortunately showing us that depressants (amongst many other medications) are being given away like sweeties, and as I’m sure you know yourself; we are very much in a Mental Health crisis in the UK.
You’re spot on with your points about cancer and depression, but research is showing us that Epigenetics plays a huge role in why many have either.
The science of Epigenetics is highlighting that environmental, physical, and mental factors have a huge role to play in people contracting conditions like Cancers, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Mental Health challenges such as Depression.
Thank you for keeping the discussion going.
Thanks Ruth. I hope this article has been of use to many. Please keep the feedback and messages coming. As Ruth said, we need to keep this discussion going. It’s important.
My closing words are inspired by my amazing Dad.
‘Don’t be so hard on yourself.’
