A Healthy Mind for a Healthy Body - I

Shambhobi Ghosh, Indic Language Translator, Al4Bharat, IIT Madras

Part - I

I proudly thought I was well-informed about mental health issues. I read books and the latest research work, listened to podcasts, watched YouTube videos, and unlearned popular myths as well as flawed notions about mental illness. Even advised people suffering from depression or anxiety to seek professional help. And yet, it took me years to identify my mental health problems and even longer to find a therapist for my well-being.

My awareness of clinical anxiety and depression started in 2013, while studying in London. A friend was chronically suffering from both. She was on prescribed medication and therapy and managed very well on most days. Seeing her wade through life, I busted the myths about mental health matters. Here’s how:

• Mental health problem is not taboo. Just like one wouldn’t want to hide diabetes, keeping depression, anxiety, or other mental illness secret makes zero sense.

• Mental illness doesn’t end your life. Like any other chronic disease, if intervened at the right time, you can have a great career, fulfilling relationships, and creative hobbies, just like regular, healthy people.

• If unmanaged, mental illness can become life-threatening, just like any other disease. Diabetes is a classic chronic illness that can be fatal without precautions but has minimum impact if managed well.

Ironically, though I familiarised myself with mental health issues throughout my twenties, I failed to recognise the early signs of clinical anxiety and chronic depression within myself.

While in London, I realised I was suffering from massive Imposter Syndrome.

Now the obvious question; what is it?

The constant thought of not being worthy of the opportunity I got; the scholarship was sheer luck, and sooner or later, people would know that I was not nearly as bright as they thought. Deep down, I carried this negativity inside but ignored and suppressed it, instead coped by overworking and overthinking — for the next six years.

Read Part -2

https://www.yogaplease.org/post/a-healthy-mind-for-a-healthy-body-4