Imagine knowing that all your deepest insecurities, all that angst and pent up energy you have built up inside of you, that keep you from realizing your full potential - all of that could just magically dissipate with the consumption of an illicit substance. Imagine having knowledge of the fact that your vision of yourself, your negative self perception, that constant stream of self defeating thoughts, which can quite literally render you a rambling, stuttering and nervous being who hates the very essence of himself/herself, could vanish with just an illegal drug. Could you then blame that person for taking that magic pill to relieve him/her of his/her symptoms, however momentarily it may be for?
You may have already guessed that I was trying to explain the plight of those suffering from anxiety disorders and how they may try to self-medicate with the use of illicit drugs. I would like to clarify that I absolutely do not condone the use of non-prescription drugs, but I would like you to understand that for the individuals in question, it seems like the only way out of their never ending cycle of hopelessness, prior to them gaining the knowledge that it is a treatable condition.
Anxiety is one mental health issue that is fairly easy to understand. Everyone gets a tad bit nervous before a big interview, an important exam or a hot date. People who are medically diagnosed to have anxiety disorders, however, are on the absolute extreme end of the spectrum. Medically diagnosable anxiety disorders include symptoms such as feelings of panic, fear, uneasiness, problems sleeping , cold or sweaty hands, shortness of breath, an inability to be still and calm, dry mouth, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, nausea, muscle tension and dizziness.
People with anxiety disorders (which have a range of subcategories) will experience these symptoms, maybe not all at a time, but definitely a few in every moment of their waking life, if left untreated. And in most cases, when they realize that illegal drugs can alleviate their symptoms, even if it is for a short time, they opt to indulge in these substances. Initially they do not realize that these substances will have significant negative consequences in the long-run, but by the time that they do, they are hooked on to it.
The most pertinent factor that keeps the cycle of addiction and untreated mental health conditions running is the stigmatization of mental health in our society. The stigma that is prevalent in our society regarding mental health and addiction, has been categorically proven to have been the single most important factor to have contributed to the needless suffering of millions in our country.
The generalized apathy in our society towards mental health issues, the view that mental health issues are character flaws, not acknowledging mental health issues as a real medical condition but rather addressing the issues with shame, lies and denial; is severely affecting the quality of life of millions in our country and in the most extreme cases - stigma kills. Estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and leading experts in our country, shows that approximately 15-20% of the population of Bangladesh suffer from mental health issues. It gets scary, when stats from WHO and individual studies carried out by experts in the field, show that among those suffering from mental health issues, about 10-15% will successfully end their lives, by their own hands.
And it is not just these individuals suffering from the mental health conditions who suffer. Many a times, it is their families who suffer just as much, if not more, as seeing a loved one completely destroy the essence of their being is a pain only they can understand. Thus, once again, stigma not only harms the individuals suffering but also their families and if the stigma continues to prevail, the liability of the catastrophic damage caused, falls on the entire society.
Fortunately, treatment for these mental health conditions does exist. Medications are heavily relied upon, but it is with the conjunction of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy that people truly see results. Individuals also need to actively play a part in improving their lifestyle. This includes exercise, proper nutrition, getting enough sleep and meditation.
Although there may be other motivations behind addiction, such as pleasure, escapism from daily monotony or means of reliving stress, WHO defines addiction as a mental health problem and hence it is imperative for us to treat it as such. It is time for us as a society, to stop with the alienation and discrimination of those suffering from addiction and mental health problems. These are some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and often with some of the greatest potential and to have such a great amount of human potential go to waste is a great loss to our society.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
