MENTAL STRAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21553, 26 July 1933, Page 11

MENTAL STRAIN

DISORDER FOLLOWS WORRY RUSH OF MODERN LIFE many sufferers cured Mental disease is not essentially different from bodily disease, and why should there be more disgrace about disease of the mind than disease of the body?" asked Dr. T. Gordon Short last evening, when urging members of Court Nil Desperandum, Ancient Order of Foresters, to do their share in bringing about a change in the public mind concerning the care and treatment of victims of mental troubles. Tho address was on " Mental Disorders," and was one of a series arranged by the lodge. Mr. 11. Darlow, district secretary of tho order, presided. Dr. Short said the number of patients in New Zealand mental hospitals had increased from 5673 to 6C61, an increase of 18 per cent in four years. Iho ma jority of cases was caused by abnormal stresses upsotting the mind, as tho result, for instance, of financial and business worries, domestic" difficulties, disappointments and emotional shocks, such as the deaths of relatives and disappointed lovo affairs. " In addition to these, we must consider tho increasing complexity of modern life," said Dr. Short, " the rush and bustle of our cities, tho noise and vibration of modern traffic, the great speed at which we travel, the anxiety and worry associated with great financial and business undertakings. Wo live in an era of change and uncertainty. Delusions of People " Our beliefs, ideals and ethical standards are losing their value. I do not intend entering into any matter of religious controversy, but it is an undoubted fact that religion in the past lias been ono of tho great stabilising factors in our national life and that with its waning influence we are losing a guide and support that we have hitherto leaned upon. Dominant ideals and purposes are necessary in developing character, and with tho decay of ideals man becomes lost, uncertain, afraid and weak." Delusions were by no means the prerogative of patients in mental hospitals. Tho food faddist who thought all sickness could bo cured by fasting and drinking lemon juice, the card player who thought his luck would return if he changed seats or if a new pack of cards were used, tho person who declared the end of tho world was at hand, the proud mother who knew there never was such a wonderful baby as hers, all suffered from delusions not essentially different from the delusions of insane people. The difference between the conceited youth who believed ho was so superior to others, and the insane man who thought he was some high and important dignitary was only one of degree. "The belief that once insane a man can never be mentally normal again is a mistake," said Dr.' Short. "Of the patients* admitted to mental hospitals about 50 per cent are cured and are able to return to work, and of patients who are not bad enough to need treatment in an institution the recovery rate is much higher. In the majority of cases treatment in a mental institution is necessary because there the patient is safe, he can be restrained if necessary, and he can get the care and attention he requires." x Simple Living Urged Dr. Short said if we could return to a simple mode of living and take life more quietly, more leisurely, more simply, it would be greatly to the benefit of mental health. Tho principal thing to think of was how to bring up the rising generation so that they might best stand up to the shocks, difficulties and trials of life. This was largely a matter of education, tho most important part of which should be given in the home. It was tho duty of every parent to teach children self-restraint, self-control and self-confidence, to inculcate high ideals and to encourage them to face difficulties bravely. Nervous and excitable children should not bo forced, even if they displayed ability above tho average. These were the ones who were liable to grow up with unstable minds if not carefully watched in childhood. A plea for a changed attitude of tho public mind toward mental diseases and mental hospitals was made by Dr. Short. "Most peoplo look upon 'mental disease as something shameful, something terrifying and repulsive—they think there is a stigma attaching to a person who enters a mental hospital," ho said. "All this is wrong and most regrettable. Tho earlier treatment could bo started tho better. In London and many other largo cities most of the general hospitals havo wards for the treatment of early cases of mental diseaso and this is dono partly with a view to educating tho public, to give them tho idea that thero should bo no moral distinction between physical and mental disease and to encourage tho early treatment of mental trouble. Once peoplo properly understand this their prejudice against mental hospitals should disappear."