Nothing causes a person to feel more alone than the uphill battle of a life plagued by mental illness. However, despite feelings of isolation that may torment us when in the darkest grips of anxiety – one thing’s for sure: you’re certainly not alone. When it comes to this issue, none of us is.
The snow-balling epidemic of mental illness – and anxiety in particular – has reached unprecedented levels in the United Kingdom. Mirroring a global trend, the statistics on our shores are staggering – and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Such grim reading might not be of much consolation to anyone in the midst of their suffering, but perhaps viewing this phenomenon as a collective issue is a first step on the way to solving it, at least.
But how did this problem spiral so far out of control? Last year it was revealed that around 34 million people in this country have experienced some variety mental health issue, ranging from anxiety and depression to panic attacks and addiction. This study, carried out by the UK’s Mental Health Foundation, reported that two out of three adults have fallen victim to these often-misunderstood illnesses, as well as other disorders such as OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and psychosis, with younger people increasingly the most impacted, explaining why prescriptions of drugs like antidepressants, Beta blockers, and Valium – to name a few – are growing rapidly year on year.
As is so often the case with social issues, the numbers reflected within the LGBTQ community are even higher – and are rising at deeply disturbing rates. High profile names in the gay community such as Will Young and Stephen Fry have spoken out about their own experiences with anxiety and depression, reflecting the tough reality for millions of us right now. The phrase ‘manxiety’ was created because men are generally seen as more prone to bottling up their emotions than women – and is used to describe the unique male relationship with this problem.
Stephen Buckley, from mental health charity Mind, has said: “Women may talk more openly about their feelings and turn to friends and family for support, whereas men may find other ways to unwind, like watching TV or using drugs or alcohol. The idea that ‘real men don’t cry’ can stop men accessing help.” Read more via Gay Times