Have an idea for a story? Let us know! Contact: Brittney MacDonald, Life & Style Editor Milifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca This issue: (Y Listed: Underrated monster jams version 2.0 (¥ A grown-up kind of Halloween (¥ The unwanted spotlight And more! It's mental illness awareness month » Take some time this October to educate yourself on this stigmatized issue : ’ : Alex Stanton Staff Writer [° terms of bringing awareness to and assisting those who are less fortunate, there hasn’t been a more game- changing decade than this one. Nearly 50 years after Stonewall, gay marriage is finally legal in the States. The inequalities between genders and races have been acknowledged, and less privileged voices are being heard. Not to mention, one of the single most famous people in the western world this year is Caitlyn Jenner, who came out as a transgender woman and publicly transitioned. But things are far from perfect. As is the case with these aforementioned aspects of social progression, we’ve come incredibly far with bringing awareness to mental illnesses, and improving treatment and conditions for those who suffer from them. For most of recorded history, insanity was generally chalked up to magic or demons— even as recently as 50 years ago. However, in the past there was still such a massive misunderstanding of mental illnesses that treating them usually did more harm than good. Stories from the past, such as those of Rosemary Kennedy, who was lobotomized at age 23 for a simple learning disability, show just how important it is to make people aware of these illnesses—to understand what those who suffer go through, and how we need to keep pushing on and progressing to a world where we can quickly : turn mental illness into mental : wellness. In order to promote : understanding, I’ve decided : to address some of the more : common mental illnesses of our : generation. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder : (ADHD) Easily the most : commonly diagnosed mental : disorder among children : and adolescents, ADHD isa : condition that manifests itself : in many different facets of one’s Photo via timeinc net : personality. It can generally : be categorized into one of : two types of ADHD; the first : and more stereotypical is the : hyperactive type, which causes : restlessness, hyperactivity, : and an overall inability to just : chill out. The second, and more : common, is the inattentive : type, which is the space cadet : version of ADHD—lots of : daydreaming, forgetfulness, : and lethargy. It’s usually treated : : with a strict regimen of waking : up and going to bed at the SS LLL ESSN CUIE : same time, as well as focus- : enhancing stimulants such as Adderall. Bipolar Disorder This ailment was originally : referred to by the much less : vague name “manic-depressive : disorder”, and it’s exactly as : advertised: someone who : suffers from bipolar disorder : experiences a roller coaster : of emotions, going through : one period of time feeling like : the lowest of the low (crying, : hopelessness, and, in some : cases, self harm), only to turn : it all around suddenly and : end up ina state of extreme : energy and happiness. In this : state, sufferers are known to : be extremely impulsive to : the point of being a danger to : themselves. Unfortunately, : bipolar disorder is one of the : most stigmatized mental : illnesses, and like others, : there is no cure. Management : involves cognitive behavioural : therapy with a specialist, and a : strict diet of mood stabilizing : medication. Major Depressive : Disorder (MDD) As anyone who’s been : diagnosed can tell you, there’s : “feeling depressed” and then : : there’s “having depression’, and : : they’re similar in name only. : The major difference between : the two is the ever-present : quality of feeling incredibly : down. This can manifest itself : in seriously disabling ways, : including but not limited to : suicidal thoughts, an inability to feel pleasure, a stagnant sex : and doing what you need to : do to survive. Fortunately, it : can often be managed with : anti-depressant medication, : although sufferers may have to : try multiple medications to find : the correct one for them. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) As someone who suffers : from mental illness (not this : one, though), there are few : things that piss me off more : than hearing someone say : something along the lines of: : “Oh, you know, whenever I : stack my movies on the shelf, | : always put them in alphabetical : order by director. I’m sooo00 : OCD.” Stuff like that really : underestimates the impact : OCD has on an actual sufferer. : Not only does OCD show itself : through odd habits, such as : constant handwashing—to : the point where sores will : develop—a less spoken about : symptom of OCD is intrusive : thoughts. For an emotionally : fragile individual with mental : illness, thoughts that they don’t : want to have—be they demonic, : violent, or vulgar—can be : disastrous for their mental : state. Mental illness, though still stigmatized and shushed : in society, affects about one in : five adults in North America : every single year. One fifth : of our peers are suffering : greatly, usually either in : silence or without treatment. : Take time this month to learn : about this, because mental : illnesses are only becoming : drive, and difficulty just getting : : out of bed in the morning : more understood as our society : moves forward. a Got an eye for design? 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