Emotional difficulties – a common phenomenon
Emotional and mental difficulties are
widespread in the population, and they occur just as frequently as physical disorders. Countless stressors and hassles, such as family
conflicts, break-ups between lovers, and problems in the workplace, often cause emotional turbulence. Of course, some individuals handle their
emotional difficulties better than others. Individuals who hardly cope experience persistent and worsening symptoms.
Mental Illness and
Stigma
Despite advances in psychiatric research
and treatment, mental illness is often misunderstood. Public misconception about mental illness has created unfortunate and inaccurate labels.
Many of my patients have remarked that their relatives, who sometimes shame and discredit them, poorly understand their emotional
difficulties.
Patients have been labeled “lazy” and
“weakling,” or they have been told to “smarten up,” “grow up,” and “go to work.” Accused of having “weak nerves,” of not “pushing hard enough”
and of not being “strong enough” to face life’s challenges, patients interpret the insults in terms of personal weakness.
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