Mental Health
The brain is a part of our body just like our lungs, heart, pancreas and liver. All of our organs, including our brains, are the way they are because of 3 things: genetics, environment and personal choice. There are many diseases of the brain (mind) that run in families. These include bipolar illness, schizophrenia and autism. Illnesses of the brain and mind run in most families so it’s not something to be ashamed of or to hide.
Sometimes when we feel sad or stressed or crazy, our families help us feel better, but sometimes they make our problems worse. Each family and each family member handles problems in a different way, which is why it’s hard to compare our problems to others, even our friends.
The good news is that as we grow up and we have more control over our lives, we can decide how we are going to handle what we are born with and the family problems we grew up with. We can make our past work for us or against us.
WE SHOULD TELL OUR DOCTORS, PRIMARY CARE CLINICIANS, THERAPISTS OR ANY MEDICAL PERSON WE TRUST, ABOUT HOW WE FEEL RIGHT NOW AND HOW WE WANT TO FEEL. THEY CAN HELP US DECIDE HOW TO MAKE THE HEALTHIEST CHOICES SO THAT WE CAN BE HAPPY FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES.