NAMI Mercer County

Families Meeting the Challenge of Mental Illness

Uncategorized

What Does Depression Look Like?

By

Anushna Kondala, NAMI Intern

Depression is a complex and multifaceted condition that can manifest in various ways. It’s not just about feeling sad or down; it encompasses many emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms that can significantly impact a person’s daily life. Here’s a closer look at what depression might look like:

Emotional Symptoms
Depression often brings a persistent feeling of sadness or emptiness. People may experience a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, leading to a sense of hopelessness and worthlessness. Irritability and frustration over small matters can also be common, making maintaining relationships and social interactions difficult.

Physical Symptoms
The physical toll of depression can be profound. Changes in appetite or weight, either increased or decreased, are common. Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping, can leave individuals tired and low energy. Unexplained aches and pains, headaches, and digestive issues may also arise, further complicating the condition.

Cognitive Symptoms
Depression can cloud the mind, making it hard to concentrate or make decisions. Memory problems and negative thought patterns, such as self-criticism and guilt, can dominate a person’s mental landscape. These cognitive symptoms can interfere with work, school, and daily responsibilities.

Behavioral Symptoms
Behavioral changes are often noticeable in those with depression. Withdrawal from friends and family, decreased performance at work or school, and neglect of personal hygiene and responsibilities are common. Some may turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism, which can exacerbate the condition.

High-Functioning Depression
It’s important to recognize that depression doesn’t always look the same. Some individuals may appear to function well in their daily lives, maintaining responsibilities and social interactions, while internally struggling with feelings of emptiness and despair. This high-functioning depression can be particularly challenging to identify and address.


Depression is a deeply personal experience that varies from person to person. It’s essential to understand that it’s not a sign of weakness or something that can be easily “snapped out of.” If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, seeking professional help is crucial.

There are many resources and treatments available that can make a significant difference:

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
  • Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
  • BetterHelp
  • Talkspace
  • Mental Health America (MHA)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Mayo Clinic

Remember, you’re not alone, and there is hope. Understanding the signs and symptoms of depression is the first step toward getting the support and care needed to manage this condition.

Embracing Solitude: The Art of Being Alone, Not Lonely

By

Anushna Kondala, NAMI Intern

In today’s fast-paced world, being alone often carries a negative connotation. However, solitude can be a powerful and enriching experience when embraced with the right mindset. Being alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely. It can be a time of self-discovery, creativity, and personal growth.

The Difference Between Being Alone and Being Lonely

  • Loneliness is a feeling of sadness or distress about being alone. It’s often accompanied by a sense of isolation and a longing for connection.
  • On the other hand, being alone is simply the state of being alone, which can be a choice and lead to positive experiences.

The Benefits of Solitude

  • Self-Discovery: Spending time alone allows you to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and desires without external influences. It’s a chance to understand yourself better and to grow as an individual.
  • Creativity: Solitude can be a breeding ground for creativity. Without distractions, your mind is free to wander and explore new ideas. Many artists, writers, and thinkers have produced their best work in solitude.
  • Mental Clarity: Alone time can help clear your mind and reduce stress. It allows you to process your thoughts and emotions, improving mental health.
  • Independence: Learning to enjoy your own company fosters independence and self-reliance. It builds confidence and helps you become comfortable with who you are.

Tips for Embracing Solitude

  • Create a Comfortable Space: Designate a space in your home to retreat and feel at peace. Fill it with things that make you happy and relaxed.
  • Engage in Solo Activities: Find activities you enjoy doing alone, such as reading, writing, painting, or hiking. These activities can be fulfilling and provide a sense of accomplishment.
  • Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness and meditation can help you stay present and appreciate the moment. It can also reduce loneliness by fostering a deeper connection with yourself.
  • Set Boundaries: It’s important to set boundaries with others to ensure you have time for yourself. Communicate your need for alone time to friends and family.
  • Stay Connected: While solitude is valuable, maintaining connections with others is also important. Balance your alone time with social interactions to avoid feelings of isolation.

Being alone doesn’t have to be a negative experience. By embracing solitude, you can discover new aspects of yourself, boost your creativity, and improve your mental well-being. Remember, it’s all about finding the right balance and making the most of your alone time. So, next time you find yourself alone, take it as an opportunity to grow and thrive.

Living With CPTSD

By

Caitlin Golden, NAMI Mercer Intern

“There is no timestamp on trauma. There isn’t a formula you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed. Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm.” Dawn Serra

Living with Complex PTSD is often a silent struggle. Being in a constant stage of fight or flight is exhausting and can lead to further stress and depression. Exposure to chronic trauma can result in the development of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as CPTSD or Complex PTSD. This form of PTSD is characterized by repeated trauma throughout one’s life, whether it be childhood abuse, intimate partner violence, or another chronic form of trauma.

Complex PTSD has yet to be recognized by the DSM, but has been recognized by the ICD. The condition was first coined by Judith Herman, a psychiatrist and researcher who focuses on trauma and incest. In her book Trauma and Recovery (1992), Herman sets apart the differences between single-event traumas (Type I traumas) versus complex traumas (Type II traumas).

The symptoms of Complex PTSD can vary in degree from person to person, but often disrupt one’s daily lifestyles. While not everyone will experience the same symptoms, there are many common ones, such as hypervigilance, emotional regulation struggles, and intrusive memories and flashbacks. Below is the C-PTSD Symptom Wheel, created by Lindsay Braman.

A common challenge of those living with Complex PTSD is talking about their emotions. Many people who live through traumatic events don’t want to remember them, so they try to suppress those upsetting memories or ignore them. As a result, many people living with CPTSD suffer emotionally. It is important to embrace your emotions and allow yourself to feel them, all while taking care of yourself. When confiding in someone about your emotions, it is vital that you stay in the present, acknowledge what you’re feeling, take it slow, self-soothe and pay attention to your body.

What is Schizophrenia?

By

by Sharon Joag, MSW, LSW

Schizophrenia has been a stigmatized mental illness for hundreds of years, and that stigma sadly continues today. So, what is Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by delusions, hallucinations and disorganized thoughts and behaviors.

In fact, in the early 1900’s hydrotherapy treatment was used where patients were wrapped in sheets dipped in water ranging from 40 degrees to 100 degrees. The belief was that poisonous toxins in the body would be released through the skin through this hydrotherapy. Electroconvulsive treatments, insulin induced comas, and prefrontal lobotomies (1940’s and 1950’s) were the accepted therapies of that time. Now we know that these therapies where brutal and traumatic to those diagnosed with schizophrenia, and even exacerbated the illness.

However, the invention of new medications, modern cognitive therapies as well as family psychoeducation has really helped people who struggle with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. With education, families learn about schizophrenia and the importance of taking medications, and finding family and community support. It is important for those who have a diagnosis of schizophrenia and their families to understand that the illness does not go away. However, with community-based treatment and social support, a person with a diagnosis of schizophrenia can have an improved quality of life, and have meaningful relationships and contributions to family and community.

At NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Mercer Chapter, we provide family psychoeducation and caregiver support for the families in a group setting.  Groups provide a place for families to exchange information regarding the illness and learn what works and what doesn’t work, and access community resources.

NAMI Mercer also has a group that meets twice a month, called The Hearing Voices group where those diagnosed with schizophrenia can meet in a safe and supportive environment. Knowing people with the same challenges can help people with schizophrenia recover from acute episodes, and help them to find coping strategies to avoid relapse and hospitalization.

What can you do on World Schizophrenia Awareness Day?

  1. The very first thing you can do today is to educate yourself and learn more about schizophrenia.
  2. Wear a silver ribbon to show your support for those diagnosed with the illness.
  3. Volunteer at NAMI Mercer and show your support.
  4. Advocate! Advocate for increased funding for mental health research, and for improved access to mental health care. Help to educate others  and reduce the stigma surrounding schizophrenia.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after surgery?

By

by Sharon Joag, MSW, LSW

What is the first image you have when you think about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? If you are like me, the first thing that pops into my head is a war veteran; and someone who has been through something that induces major trauma, sometimes lasting for a lifetime.

But what about those who have undergone major surgery? Although much less talked about, trauma from surgery has now become a global public health crisis. Globally, 310 million major surgeries are performed every year, and of those, 40-50 million surgeries are performed in the US (Dobson, 2020). From the moment a patient is given a diagnosis the black cloud of imminent surgery looms ahead. First, the anxiety sets in, and the rumination on the actual surgery, what it entails, what exactly will happen in the operating room. Questions in the minds of patients. “Will I feel anything while undergoing surgery? Will anesthesia work? What is going to happen after surgery?” 

Doctors typically do not and cannot always talk to a patient about every single minute detail of a surgery. Surgeons can only provide an overview of a surgery, but the details are vague and sometimes unknown, even to the surgeon, until the surgery is actually underway. This uncertainty creates a milieu of confusion, and unhealthy rumination on all that could potentially go wrong, culminating in a deep anxiety and post-surgical depression that can last for months or years after the surgery, inevitably aiding in extending the recovery time of a patient who has undergone a major surgical procedure.

These ruminating thoughts can be overwhelming to an individual. Having regular therapy appointments to monitor an individual’s thought processes, and talk through some of these traumatic future events, especially a planned surgery is important in helping patients find tools that they can use to decrease stress levels, understand their thoughts, and find ways to manifest optimal mental health.

Many people suffer tremendously pre, peri and post surgically with anxiety and depression. Major surgeries such as surgery to remove cancer (breast, a portion of the esophagus, stomach or colon). The physical changes that a person has to endure post-surgery takes a toll on the psyche. The brain has to catch up with its new body image, food and diet changes, and sometimes chronic pain which has become a part of the new life. Often times, a person faces depression, fear and PTSD which causes sleep disturbances, and further delays mental healing.

Coming to terms with and accepting the new person post-surgery is an enormous and daunting hurdle. Having someone to speak with confidentially who can help to guide a patient through this process is essential. In addition, the caregivers in the equation cannot be neglected. They too have to come to terms with their new partner or spouse or loved one who is forever changed. Helping the caregiver to grapple with these changes is also much needed, as caregivers are many times the primary support system for an individual who has undergone major surgery.

Making a plan, setting long term goals, and then short-term goals that are achievable are important in achieving success with positive mental health. Speaking to a health care professional and understanding the importance of a support system including friends, family, and community are the pillars of a successful and positive mental health post-surgery, and recovery from PTSD due to major surgery.

References:
Dobson, G.P., Trauma of major surgery: A global problem that is not going away. International Journal of Surgery, 2020. 81(47-54).

Stanzel, A., Sierau, S. Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress (PMTS) following Surgery in Childhood and Adolescence: a Systematic Review. Journ Child Adol Trauma 15, 795–809 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-021-00391-9

What it Takes to Understand and End Mental Health Stigma

By

by Natalie Schrader
NAMI Mercer Intern

In a world that is always progressing and trying to be better, mental health stigma is a harmful force that lurks in the shadows. Stigma can prevent millions from seeking the help they need. Let’s discuss some ways to understand stigma’s impact and embrace diversity. Stigma surrounding mental health shows up in many forms: misunderstandings, stereotypes, and discrimination.

This type of judgment can often negatively affect open conversations and perpetuate a culture of silence around mental health issues. Words matter, the language we use can either push stigma or contribute to its dismantling. It is crucial to choose words carefully, avoiding derogatory terms and embracing person- first language that acknowledges the individual beyond their condition. Educating yourself can become a potent weapon against stigma. By educating oneself, a person become more aware of the roots of myths and misconceptions surrounding mental health. This can help build and understanding about certain mental health conditions and seeking help is a display of courage, not weakness.

Types of Stigma

Self-Stigma: Self- stigma also known as internalized stigma, occurs when individuals with mental health conditions internalize the negative beliefs and attitudes held by society. This can lead to feelings of shame, lowered self-esteem, and reluctance to seek help or disclose ones conditions.

Courtesy Stigma: Courtesy stigma is the stigma faced by individuals due to their association or connection with someone who has mental health conditions. This can affect family members, friends or colleagues who may experience discrimination or negative attitudes because of their relationship with someone who has a mental health challenge.

Societal Stigma: Societal stigma encompasses the broader societal attitudes, beliefs, and norms regarding mental health. It includes the collective prejudices, biases and discriminatory practices within the culture that contributes to the marginalization of individuals with mental health conditions.

Religious Stigma: Religious stigma involves negative attitudes and discrimination based on religious beliefs. Individuals with mental health conditions may experience stigma from with in or outside of the religious community, impacting their sense of belonging and acceptance.

Ways to Take Care of Yourself While Fighting Stigma

  • Mindfulness and Meditation: Doing 10 minute-30 minutes meditations can help us become more mindful in our everyday lives. Meditation can look like a lot of different things. Something as simple as laying down and closing your eyes while doing breathing techniques can help relieve stress and anxiety from the day.
  • Journaling: Journaling to express thoughts and feelings from day to day can help a person not hold on to feelings about situations that are out of their own control. It is a place to be honest with yourself without any judgement from an outside source.
  • Check in with Emotions: regularly checking in and assessing emotions can help someone reflect on what they are feeling in that moment. If an individual were to do this throughout the day, it becomes easier to not only name what they’re feeling but understand how to cope with changing emotions and plan future coping skills.
  • Celebrate Achievements: celebrating achievements, no matter how small it might feel, can really help an person understand that big wins don’t come every day but little ones do.