The Sunday Mail
Life Issues with FGK
OUR focus in the past weeks has been on various forms of mental disorders and how the ongoing Covid-19-induced lockdown has aggravated the situation for some.
Common mental disorders usually refer to the two main diagnostic categories — depressive and anxiety disorders.
These are the most prevalent within societies.
Mental disorders are diagnosable health conditions that are distinct from feelings of sadness, stress or fear that anyone can experience from time to time in their lives.
Disorders affect the mood or feelings of a person. Their symptoms range from mild to severe, with a duration running from months to years.
World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that at least 300 million people across the globe could be suffering from mental health conditions of some sort.
This figure translates to 4,4 percent of the world’s population.
Worryingly, the numbers seem to be growing with each passing year instead of dropping.
This week we conclude the topic of mental health by looking at one of the most neglected and undermined disorders — obsession.
Covid-19 has affected many spheres of life. A lot of people are now obsessed with the pandemic, though they are not aware of this fact.
Obsession is defined as compulsive preoccupation, which is more like losing control of oneself over a particular object or subject. There are different types of obsessions.
Psychotherapeutic counsellors classify them according to how they manifest.
Obsession is an invisible creature that takes you hostage.
Most of the things you think you desire are inspired by your fixations.
The Bible says, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
A simpler version says, “A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.”
When you have an obsession, you will have repetitive and persistent thoughts and images about a subject or object.
These are not pleasurable experiences at all because you do not experience them voluntarily. There are intrusive, unwanted and cause distress and anxiety in most people. Throughout history, obsessed people are said to be demon-possessed since they lack control.
Research shows that there is a possibility that some of the disorders are genetically passed on from parent to child and so on.
But most of the things people obsess over are picked up as they grow.
The harm is not apparent, but it becomes noticeable in the long run.
For instance, a child can be taught about homosexuality at school by peers to an extent that he ends up seeing no wrong in the action and is even prepared to continuously repeat it.
That is an obsession created!
The same applies to all those who smoke cigarettes and take alcohol.
If they are to admit, they would rightfully point out that they picked up the habit while growing up.
It might have been because of peer pressure. Trying something out might actually be inviting the devil in to take over your life.
That is how all addictions kick in.
It is not easy fighting off being enslaved by habits such as sex, alcohol, stealing, violence and so on.
However, the war can be won through seeking timeous professional assistance.
The trick is for one not to ignore or try to suppress obsessions.
Seek help early.
If you avoid dealing with an obsession, it can cause you serious mental problems like stress and fretfulness.
Also obsessions could cause day-dreaming. A person can have a ‘love disorder’ by delusionally presuming to be in love with someone.
Symptoms of this kind of disorder include an overwhelming attraction to a person, obsessive thoughts and often feeling the need to protect the person, which turns out to manifest as possessive thoughts. In this kind of jail, the person does not take rejection easily and they often resort to repeated yet unwanted texts, emails and multiple phone calls to the person they are interested in.
Always remember, the remedy to obsession is not an off-the-shelf medicine.
There isn’t any known medicine for the disease.
However, tranquilisers have often been used to suppress the condition.
Speaking to a pastor for spiritual help, consulting your general practitioner (GP) or mental health professional for advice and support can help you overcome mental issues.
Remember, the book of Timothy says, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity and fawning fear, but He has given us a spirit of power, love, calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”
Quote of the week: Never allow obsession to take over your life and throw away your world
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