Brandon Twp.- While there may still be a stigma attached to mental illness, Emily Thomas is finding a growing acceptance by society of depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders.
In an effort to help both those suffering from these ailments as well as their family members, Thomas is hosting a Mental Illness Workshop from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 26, at St. Anne Church, 825 S. Ortonville Road. The workshop is free and all in the community are welcome.
The informational discussion will include how to learn the signs and symptoms of mental illness, ways to cope and where to find professional help.
‘I will talk about support for family members with the specific topics of depression, anxiety and bipolar,? said Thomas, a licensed therapist at New Oakland Child, Adolescent and Family Center. ‘What those things look like at different ages, what treatment and symptoms look like and what you can do when faced with those diagnoses, as well as resources if you have one of those conditions or a family member does.?
With depression, a person may have sadness over a long period of time, with lethargy and no motivation, even to get up in the morning. Extreme symptoms could display as cutting, drug use or suicidal thoughts, Thomas noted. Persons with anxiety experience constant worry and panic attacks, sometimes with specific triggers such as going to work or school, but can also have no specific reason. Bipolar disorder has dramatic ups and downs? those with the condition can be super happy or super sad or super angry. Some days they lack motivation, but on other days they are very motivated.
Bipolar, Thomas adds, looks very different depending on a person’s age. It can be very difficult to recognize properly in a child, with bipolar often misdiagnosed as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or just as children that are emotional or having behavior issues because they have rages or cry easily. In a teenager, bipolar can result in risky behaviors such as hypersexuality, or substance abuse. An adult with bipolar exhibits more traditional symptoms, such as mania, hyperverbal, and impulsive behavior.
While a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder faces a lifelong challenge, there is hope for improvement, as well as for those with depression and anxiety.
‘We hope to give them enough tools, through therapy or medication? whatever they require? to conquer these things,? she said. ‘Anxiety and depression can have a very good prognosis if family members and that particular person are on board and everyone is working hard to battle these things.?
Thomas hopes for a good turnout at the workshop, with participants asking questions, sharing personal experiences and seeking resources, whether for themselves or someone they know.
For more information, go to www.newoakland.org, call Thomas at 248-620-6400, ext. 3110, or call St. Anne Church at 248-627-3965.