Minding Your Mind

 

                                                (image: youtube.com)

Mag-ajag nan ato pangisip…

In the Philippines, mental illness is becoming a common disability and at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological and substance use disorder, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Dr. Cornelio Banaag Jr, president of the Philippine Mental Health Association said: Mental health-related issues affect Filipinos of all ages and backgrounds - young or old, rich or poor.

The pervasive mental illnesses experienced by many based on latest data are: anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).

Most commonly reported illness is depression. Reports mentioned that this can be genetic or triggered by substance use and character traits like being envious and the development of the FOMO (Fear of missing out) ushered in by information technology. It seems that the people’s attitude is being dictated by what is “in” in the social media platforms.

The National Institutes of Health (2023) published: There is positive correlation between envy, depression, self-reported inferiority, and low self-esteem. Depressed individuals feel more envious and inferior, particularly when faced with attractive Facebook profiles (significant interaction: depression x envy). There is also a positive correlation between neuroticism, envy, and depression.

These are self-destructive illnesses. But there are also mental illnesses which can lead to social disruptive cases. These are also causes for alarm since their illnesses are inflicting pain, discomfort and abuse to others.

Narcissism, delusions of grandeur, hunger for power and recognition, psychopathy, pathological lying and others… A lot of people are sick with these and they are thinking that it is OK to hurt others because of their childhood deficits.

What this writer is advocating is self-reflection and regular visits to the inner self. Self-reflection involves being present with yourself and intentionally focusing your attention inward to examine your thoughts, feelings, actions, and motivations.

Self-reflection is important because it helps you form a self-concept and contributes toward self-development. Keeping a journal is one way of doing this. Also this allows the individual to widen the awareness to the world and others as well.

We can control our feelings, moods, thoughts and even the way we see the world and not the opposite. The world will be a little more peaceful with lesser insanity.