PATTY

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MARKET MANIA

by patty hannum

SOME PEOPLE

Think I Am A Little

bit crazy. I deny it eleven months out of the year. May is the exception because it is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I have a mental illness. This is not anything new, I’ve had obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), well, forever. I didn’t actually know why my mind operated differently, but I was diagnosed about 30 years ago. Since that time, I’ve been to my fair share of therapists and fortunately found one who could help, along with an amazing psychiatrist. For some reason, I have never been embarrassed about my OCD—it is just who I am—but for many, there is a real stigma surrounding mental health. Once a year, I talk to you, my lovely readers about my quirky mind in hope that you will either be more sensitive to those with issues or perhaps if you feel like your mind is just not quite wired like everyone else’s, you might talk to a health care professional.

Let’s get a few things straight. First, I am not Rain Man! I don’t count tiles, jump over cracks or obsessively wash my hands. Instead, when my OCD flares up, I have intrusive thoughts that I ruminate about. And let me just tell you, I do a thorough job of it! With the right combination of therapy and medication my flare ups are sporadic, but unfortunately earlier this year, I found myself in the revolving door of OCD. I was disappointed in myself for letting it get the best of me, but just like so many others who struggle with a mental illness, I realized that I was more than enough.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is currently promoting this month with the tag #morethanenough. So, let me tell you having OCD does have some advantages! I am the most focused employee you could ever want! I never miss deadlines. I have a brain full of useful and useless information that makes me perfect for trivia. I simply can’t give up. My brain won’t let me! It also gives me my quirky sense of humor. I am not embarrassed by having OCD just like I would not be embarrassed if I had diabetes.

a home run for reading!

Cardinals Care, the charitable arm of the St. Louis Cardinals, has donated $200,000 to the St. Louis County Library Foundation to sponsor a new bookmobile. To celebrate, the library is releasing a limited-edition Cardinals library card. Information on how to obtain a card is available at slcl.org/content/library-cards.

What can you do to help people who suffer from a mental health issue? First, don’t tell them to ‘get over it.’ Be understanding and supportive. Second, don’t be flippant. When someone tells me they are a little OCD because they color code their closet, it is hard for me not to punch them. They are just organized. Saying you are a little OCD diminishes those who truly are dealing with OCD. People who suffer from depression aren’t just ‘a little blue’ and a fun night out isn’t going to cure them. But what does help is a friend that listens and empathizes. Encouraging people to seek professional help can be hard but sometimes those closest to you need a little push.

I have a tattoo of a semi-colon on my finger. Most people assume it is because I’m a writer. No, it is just a reminder for me to take a breath and pause. So this week’s column was not a lot of laughs but I promise no lecture next issue! All our brains are just wired a little differently. And that’s just fine. Peace my peeps. &