Ask the Pharmacist
In the last of 2021’s Ask the Pharmacist features, Mounthawk Allcare Pharmacy’s Pat and Maria discuss the importance of looking after your mental health.
“As the year draws to a close, all of us will be reflecting on the year that was and laying down plans for the year ahead For many, 2021 was another tough year to endure-unfortunately the COVID pandemic dominated our lives once again throughout the year and shows no sign of disappearing any time soon. Climate change is wreaking havoc across the planet. Worst of all for the staff in Mounthawk, we have found that we now put on weight just by thinking about food, never mind having to see or eat it. As you can see, life these days is challenging and it can be hard to stay positive when confronted with the harsh realities of our new way of living. In the pharmacy, we see more people than ever experiencing problems with their mental health and this is perfectly understandable. This article goes out to them.
Depression is the most common mental illness that we encounter-it can strike any person at any lifestage. Some people are more susceptible than others-genetic factors certainly play a part but societal and environmental factors also have a big role. Some people are really good at hiding the condition, carrying on in silence and isolation to the detriment of their health. They might feel embarrassed or not want to burden others with their problems. The main signs and symptoms of depression can be far ranging but some general features are usually present. These include:
• Loss of self esteem, leading to withdrawal from social situations and further increasing feelings of isolation
• Loss of interest in most aspects of daily life
• Lack of energy, drive and positive thinking. Many people will experience weight issues and sleep disturbances
• Change in temperament-often can be emotional and irritable
As mentioned previously, depression does not discriminate.
For many people it is inevitable-it can be hard to look on the bright side of life when living with chronic pain for example. The thing to remember is that it is OK to not be OK. Don’t feel under pressure to mask how you are feeling or to always present a happy image to the world if that is not how you feel deep down. In this era of social media, the pressure to present the best version of yourself can be considerable. Your self worth should not be tied to the number of followers you have online or the number of “likes” that your posts receive. This rat race continues into our adult lives-again your self worth is not related to the car you drive or the number of holidays you go on throughout the year. We are always comparing ourselves to someone else and this is really damaging to our mental health. By all means, it is healthy to have role models but don’t try to emulate someone else-follow your own path. It is not realistic for us all to be the best. But as long as we try our best, we need to be happy with that. So if you find yourself struggling, please reach out to someone else and know that help is always at hand. For some people , antidepressant medication can be a real life-saver and there are many types available for those who require a helping hand. Don’t be shy in talking to your GP about these matters-after all your mental health is every bit as important as your physical health and it must be minded. As always, your pharmacist is here to advise you on the safe use of such medicines. Other people prefer a more holistic approach. Yoga, Pilates and Mindfulness are just some other methods that people try. In Mounthawk, we occasionally hear some people say that exercise can be of enormous benefit but obviously we are suspicious of physical activity as a concept so we will have to take their word for it. There are many classes available around the county that you can partake in and these will do wonders for your overall health-both mental and physical.
Of course, there are other issues that can negatively impact on your mental well-being. Stress is another condition that is on the rise and can have serious implications for sufferers. If you want to see a case of severe stress first hand, call into Mounthawk Pharmacy any day Pat has put on a pair of his old 32 inch trousers by mistake. The pressure of sucking it in all day so that the top button doesn’t fly off and take out someone’s eye is written all over his face. Stress can wreak havoc with your overall health and is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. If you find yourself struggling it it is vital that you find a way to manage it-deep breathing and meditation can often make a big difference. As always, talking to someone you know can help. A problem shared is a problem halved after all.
As you can see, this article is really just a brief summary of some common conditions that we see day in and day out. There are others of course. What we would really like for people to take away from this article is to seek help if you need it. There are so many resources out there that can help you if you are struggling but you need to ask for help. If you know someone who you think may be struggling, reach out to them and let them know that you are thinking of them. You may be the only person that person hears from that day. It’s the simple gestures in life that often mean the most.
On behalf of myself Pat, Shane, and our wonderful staff in Mounthawk (Bridie, Louise, Marie, Maria, Claire and Niamh) we wish all our customers and Connect magazine readers a safe and peaceful holiday period and all the very best for 2022”
