From the President's Desk

Transcription

1 The Iris Support, Education, Advocacy Vol 33 No 5 May 2015 Editor, Ann Akland NAMI Wake Contact Information: (919) aakland@nami-wake.org From the President's Desk Anxiety Disorders Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can actually be beneficial in some situations. For some people (about 40 million American adults in a given year), anxiety can become excessive. Many people have difficulty controlling their suffering and it may negatively affect their day-to-day living. There are a wide variety of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder. Collectively, anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders experienced by Americans. You might wonder why we do not hear much about anxiety orders. I do not remember learning about them in our NAMI education classes. Although at one time it was considered by researchers to be less important than other disorders, such as schizophrenia and mood disorders, recent funding by NIMH has generated results from brain imagining technology that show that the amygdala and the hippocampus play significant roles in most anxiety disorders. By learning more about how the brain creates fear and anxiety, researchers may be able to devise better treatments for anxiety disorders. Current treatments usually involve medication together with specific types of psychotherapy. Medication often includes antidepressants together with anti-anxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepines. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most common therapy used in conjunction with medications. For some of us, support groups help us gain from others experiences and wisdom. And as is the case with all mental illnesses, stress management techniques, good restful sleep, proper diet and exercise all result in a reduction of symptoms. One day we can hope that these disorders will be cured. Forty million people are counting on it!

2 Thanks to our Celebration of Courage Sponsors Presented by UNC Rex Health Care Silver Bronze The Akland Family The Pearce Family CHAMPIONS Andrea Chase The C. Smith Family Ellen Airs in honor of the Aklands ADVOCATES Tom & Susan Bobby & Louise Paul & Ann Hadley Josie Douglas L. White Family Jordan Robitaille Patricia Moore SUPPORTERS Ellen & Tom Clemmer Crystal Farrow Dorphine & James Galloway Kelly Goodfellow DRG Counselling Kanki Japanese House of Steaks & Sushi Cindy Massey Jeff Mural Kathy Smith William Stanley Christine Taylor Sarah Weathersby Robert & Chary Sundstrom

3 NAMI Wake County The Iris Page 3 A Dark & Beautiful Dream Reverie by Davis Muma A story like this doesn t really have a beginning, but I guess I ll start with the formalities to get them out of the way. In 2012 a certain health care provider diagnosed me with Mood Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, a sort of catch-all label that to me basically just serves as a little gold star or blue ribbon, an unwelcome certification that yep, there s definitely something wrong. It was as if she had said, Congrats! I m so sorry. You see, it hadn t come out of the blue. There was nothing surprising about it. For a long time I had had this feeling growing in me like a nocturne playing constantly in the back of my mind. It followed me from the end of high school to my new life in college and it seemed determined to tinge even my well-intentioned new friendships with a dull, meretricious sheen. It was my fault, I knew, not theirs, as I pushed away opportunities and connections. How could they be expected to understand? It was my decision, then, to go in to see a psychiatrist after I finished my first two semesters. My parents didn t really understand what was going on at that point and really, neither did I. In part, I guess that was why the diagnosis felt so empty to me: it didn t help me understand myself any better. And I believed then, as I do now, that understanding is the key. An old friend of mine once mentioned that she suspected that neuroses Davis Muma & his mom, Salil Muma were a natural consequence of considering the problems of the self deeply. For a long time I spiraled around the ideas I considered fundamental to my identity, dizzying myself with the search. I began to pull away from the world, and the isolation caused me to hide more and more of what I was feeling from others. I began to have nightmares every night, the fear of which translated into problems with insomnia and fatigue. At times I became so lethargic that during breaks when I didn t have to go to class I would commonly lie awake in bed for hours, too exhausted to get up but somehow also unable to fall asleep. Eventually things got bad enough that for my own health I had to withdraw from school. The various medications I had been given by my psychiatrist brought me little respite and really, the brands I d tried were starting to add up to a truly formidable list. I won t bore you here with the details of the lonely and tedious months I spent in self-imposed exile from the University, but I should probably throw in a mention of an optimistic attempt at electroconvulsive therapy. Unfortunately, the mood benefits were short-lived and (expectedly) accompanied with about a year s worth of both retrograde and anterograde amnesia. But at this point I ve dwelt for too long on the problem, when what is far more important is the solution. I began writing today with the intention of explaining the change that came over me that has brought me out of a dark place. Mine is not an exceptional story. Far from it; mental illness is an all-too-common obstacle for more people than we d care to admit. Because of its persistent stigma, those who suffer from abnormal psychological conditions are rarely able to bring their experiences to popularly accepted avenues of discussion and expression. What is exceptional is the opportunity I have now been given, in the form of my recovery, to help elucidate the experience of those who suffer in silence as well as fight the larger beast that is at the root of so many of the problems of today: a societal lack of empathy. For me, one of the pivotal moments in my escape came in the form of, you guessed it, a book specifically, The Collector by John Fowles, a 1963 novel detailing the abduction and subsequent imprisonment of a young art student by a simple clerk after he wins a large sum of money by chance. The majority of the book is focused on the time spent by the two characters, Miranda Grey and Frederick Clegg, as prisoner and jailor respectively. It takes the form of a psychological battle set almost entirely in a windowless room underneath Fred s house. I read the novel quickly, fascinated by the switch in narration and its focus on intense isolation. As I got further and further into the story, I began to interpret the two characters as two potentials for myself. Miranda is idealistic, artistic, and imaginative, believing that genuine experience is the heart of life, while Clegg is inexpressive, literal-minded, and empty. To reinforce this duality, Miranda refers to Clegg as Caliban, alluding that the two of them are mirrored in the characters of the continued on page 4

4 NAMI Wake County The Iris Page 4 continued from page 3 same names in Shakespeare s The Tempest. The longer I read, the more I began to understand that Clegg and Miranda were two studies in loneliness, each with a terrifying conclusion. One is oblivious of the monster he has become, while the other suffers in silence only to find relief in death. I found myself alone in my apartment one day, reading, when suddenly I realized that the small improvements I had been trying to make to my life weren t going to be enough. At the end of a passage in which Miranda reflects on Clegg, I began to cry. Lying by myself on my bed in darkness, I realized that to me, a life without expression, of silent suffering, was no different from Clegg s unfulfilled life of collecting. I wept then, tears of shame, painful and self-accusatory, loathing myself for turning inward, for the life I chose for myself in order to cope with my own pain. I had left so many caring people behind and denied countless others in misguided self-defense, in an act that ultimately only protected an empty husk of a human being. But there was something else there too: joy. Joy because I knew then that I had the power to change myself, that it wasn t too late to make myself leave Clegg s cellar. He wasn t there and he didn t hold the key. For me, unlike for so many others, the door was open. All I had to do was try it and it would open. I started exercising every day, eating better, taking long walks, reading and writing regularly, drawing, painting, even singing again. When someone stopped me on the street asking for a meal, I would buy it without hesitation. I began to read the newspaper, something that I had found infinitely depressing before, but now instead of focusing on the violence and materialism and suffering in the world, I marveled at the fact that there was so much life being lived. I developed a taste for foods I d never eaten before, and every person I saw, I thought then: I hope someone falls in love with them. They deserve it. I know it sounds terribly cheesy. It wasn t all about that book. It was about recognizing that I had been given this enormous gift called life and that I was young and that I still had so much to experience. A friend of mine who I had hurt in my own sadness inadvertently helped me to get over the past. Another had listened to me at a vulnerable time. Still another welcomed me back into his life with open arms (or, if you prefer the actual, a glass of beer). I went to my parents and my grandparents and I told them that I loved them, and then I kissed my dog rubbed my nose against her hair and sneezed. My point here is that at a critical moment I was able to recognize the importance of both seeing things for their beauty and expressing that appreciation to others. That s what saved me from my own demons. Now I am determined to give voice to all modes of experience, even the painful or uncomfortable ones. I know that for me, the idea of becoming a writer is propelled by an unstoppable desire to understand the experiences of both myself and others beyond that, the desire to link those experiences. I believe that that desire hinges on the practice of empathy, and that we as humans have an obligation to each other to try to understand their perspectives. To all of my friends who I lost touch with: I m sorry. And to those who I haven t met: I m ready for your stories. Next to Normal production by the North Carolina Theatre NCT is partnering with The Foundation of Hope, NAMI Wake County, NAMI NC, and Triangle Family Services to amplify a meaningful community conversation about mental health during this performance run. The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Next to Normal is the story of what appears to be a typical American family, yet their lives are anything but normal, as the mother struggles with bipolar disorder. Featuring a powerful and contemporary score by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds of each character and presents the family s story with love, sympathy and heart as the family deals with the unpredictability of their mother s mental illness. Next to Normal will run May 1-10, 2015, at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts and will feature Raleigh native and Broadway star Lauren Kennedy alongside Ravenscroft and NCT Conservatory alum, English Bernhardt. Both appeared together in last year s production of Les Miserables. For tickets to NC Theatre s production of NEXT TO NORMAL, visit NCTheatre.com or call ticketmaster at

5 NAMI Wake County The Iris Page 5 Reprinted from April 16, 2015 Washington Post Editorial Mental Health Care in the US Needs a Checkup The country s inadequate mental health system gets the most attention after instances of mass violence of the sort that the nation has seen repeatedly over the past few months. Not all who commit these sorts of atrocities are mentally ill, but many have been. After each, the national discussion quickly, but temporarily, turns toward the mental health services that may have failed to prevent another attack. Mental illness usually is not as dangerous or dramatic. Nearly 23 million Americans live with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Very few of these men and women are potential mass murderers; they need help for their own well-being and for that of their families. A few, though, need services that will keep them from harming themselves or others. The nation s health system needs to do better at treating all types. The Affordable Care Act has significantly increased insurance coverage for mental health care. But that may not be enough to expand access to sparse mental health care resources. Besides, the government is already spending billions on mental illness treatment; it has an interest in making sure taxpayers get results. Rep. Tim Murphy (RPa.) has a bill that would do so. The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act is more comprehensive than other recent efforts to reform the system and perhaps has the brightest prospects in a divided Congress. The bill would reorganize the billions the federal government pours into mental health services, prioritizing initiatives backed by solid evidence and tracking their success. It would change the way Medicaid pays or, in this case, underpays for certain mental health treatments. It would fund mental health clinics that meet certain medical standards. And it would push states to adopt policies that allow judges to order some severely mentally ill people to undergo treatment. Not everyone is satisfied. Some patients advocates have condemned Mr. Murphy s approach as coercive and harmful to those who need help. The government should not be expanding the system s capability to hospitalize or impose treatment on those going through severe episodes, they say. It should instead be investing in community care that heads off the need for more serious treatment. We do not see those aims as mutually exclusive, and neither do the bill s backers. It makes obvious sense for the government to back community-based clinics that promise to prevent individuals mental illnesses from spiraling out of control, when possible. But some people with very severe disorders do not know or do not admit that they are sick. For a small class who will not accept treatment between hospital visits or repeat arrests, states have good reason to require them to accept care, under judicial supervision. Mr. Murphy s reform package may not prevent the next Sandy Hook or Franklin Regional. But the changes would help relieve a lot of suffering that does not make the front page. Read more about The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act here:

6 NAMI Wake County The Iris Page 6 NAMI Wake Support Groups & Classes PEOPLE LIVING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS Wake County Affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Wake) is offering free peer support groups where people facing difficulties have a safe place to voice their concerns and explore options for making positive changes in their lives with others who have similar experiences. No matter what your diagnosis or issues, join one of our Free Groups. No need to call. Just come by and participate when you can. Try different groups to find one you like best. Connections Support Groups: 1) Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC, Rm 206, 7-8:30, First 3 Mondays of each month. 2) Garner United Methodist Church, Senior Center, 201 Methodist Drive, Garner, NC., NOTE: This group is on vacation. We will be making an announcement when the sessions continue. In the meantime, contact Heather Scott for information. hscott919@gmail.com NEW Connections Group in Knightdale 1) Northside Community Church, 621 N. First Avenue, Knightdale, NC, Meetings every Thursday,, 7-8:30, For more information contact Lisa Piratzky, lhpiratzky@gmail.com. Stress & Depression Support Groups: 1) St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 1005 Wilbon Road, Fuquay Varina, NC. Meetings every Monday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Contact Arline O Hara arlineohara@gmail.com for more information. 2) Wake County Human Services, 220 Swinburne St., Raleigh, NC, Every Friday: 2-3 pm, Rm 1151, -Contact Gerry Akland, gakland@nc.rr.com, for more FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS Family & friends of indivudals living with any mental illnesses: Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC., Rooms 202 & 204, 7-8:30 p.m. on the first three Mondays of each month. Wake Forest United Methodist Church, 905 S. Main St., Wake Forest, NC, 7-8:30 pm, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. For more information contact Gordon Gogola (gogolags@ hotmail.com), phone (919) Christ the King Lutheran Church, Rm 101, 600 Walnut Street, Cary, NC 27511, 2nd & 4th Thurs., 7-8:30 pm Contact Judy Dehavilland for more information: judydehavi@msn.com. BASICS is an education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The NAMI Basics course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years. The course consists of six classes, each lasting for 2 ½ hours. Classes are scheduled once 15 people sign up for the waiting list. All instruction materials are FREE to participants. Please contact Shea Cleveland at shea.cleveland@ frcofraleigh.org, or to register and for more information. Family to Family NEXT CLASS: Now accepting names for waiting list. Program Details: Free to family members, partners and significant others of individuals living with A series of 12 sessions is structured to help caregivers understand and support individuals with serious mental illness while maintaining their own well-being. The course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family member volunteers who know what it is like to have a loved one struggling with one of these brain disorders. We invite you to for more information: Andrea Whitehouse Chase - NAMIWakeF2F@gmail.com Les Girls Social Group - Dutch Treat Luncheon Saturday, May 23, 12:00 Noon, Golden Corral, 6129 Glenwood Ave. This is a social opportunity for people living with mental illness and family members. Everyone is invited--not just girls--guys are welcome! Lunch is Dutch-treat.

7 NAMI Wake County The Iris Page 7 Don t forget that you still have time to be entered into our drawings for a free NAMI tote bag and $50 Visa Gift Card! When you help spread the word about the wonderful things NAMI Wake County does and how membership helps us sustain our mission, you are helping to make a difference. When a new member joins, and notes that he or she was referred by you (this is required), YOUR NAME WILL BE ENTERED INTO OUR DRAWING! We know that our members get it - now help others GET IT too! Just give potential members a copy of the this page of our newsletter and ask them to add a note with the completed form saying you referred them to NAMI Wake County. Name: Address: City: Zip: Home Phone: Work: Mobile: 1: 2: Preference for receipt of Iris Newsletter: notification: USPS Mail: (Check all that apply) I am a mental health professional Family member Individual Living with Mental Illness Friend NAMI Wake County is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations and dues are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Make checks out to NAMI Wake County and mail with the form to NAMI Wake County, PO Box 12562, Raleigh, NC NAMI ID ID No. Regular Membership (all household members): $35.00 Open Door (What you can afford -$3.00 or more): $ Donation: $ Tote Bag: $5.00 each = Total $ Shipping: Flat fee for USPS Priority Mail $5.00 $ (Shipping fee is for 1 to 4 bags) Total: $ How many members are in the household? You may pay by mail using check or money order, or by credit card by completing the information below or pay online by going to Credit Card Type: Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card Number: NAME on Card: Security NO. on Reverse: expiration: Signature: May we share your with NAMl NC? Are you interested in volunteering? NAMI is a three level organization. When you join NAMI Wake County WE PAY your dues to NAMI North Carolina and NAMI (national). NAMI Wake Board of Directors 2015 Gerry Akland Ann Akland Andrea Chase Ellen Betts Clemmer Dorothy Clift Judith DeHavilland Tom Hadley President Past President President, Elect Secretary Membership Secretary Amanda Johanson Louise Jordan Mary O Neal Paul Robitaille William Stanley Christine Taylor Anju Verma Treasurer

8 NAMI Wake County P.O. Box Raleigh, NC Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Raleigh, NC NAMI Wake County May2015 No May Monthly Education Meeting May Is Mental Health Month Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. During the month of May, NAMI and the rest of the country are bringing awareness to mental illness. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care. Each year, the movement grows stronger. In 2013, President Obama proclaimed May as National Mental Health Awareness Month and brought the issue of mental health to the forefront of our nation s thoughts. We believe that these issues are important to address year round, but highlighting these issues during May provides a time for people to come together and display the passion and strength of those working to improve the lives of the tens of millions of Americans affected by mental illness