BOO! (hoo)

"A thousand fearful images and dire suggestions glance along the mind when it is moody and discontented with itself. Command them to stand and show themselves, and you presently assert the power of reason over imagination."
Sir Walter Scott

Ghosts and goblins are real. While oft emerged from trauma, chemical imbalance, or other life experiences, the boogie man can and does live in the psyche of friends, neighbors, and ourselves. This affects our decisions, moods, tolerances, abilities, and, obviously, our happiness.

There are many tales of artistic legends’ ennui and discontent. In 1986, Prozac came on the market and subsequently, over 27 million Americans went on anti-depressants in the last decade – roughly 10% of the population. Adding to this, drugs helping conditions such as anxiety and other emotional/mental disorders have become commonly prescribed.

Thankfully, the stigma of depression (and other disorders) has lessened and treatment options are often openly discussed. Side effects of these drugs range widely and need close monitoring lest their ingestion create more problems than they fix. My broad (and completely unqualified) conclusion is that it is a good thing that a) we can recognize slight to extreme mental illness more openly and b) we understand the consequences of treatment far more than ever.

So, on an evening where children and adults dress as monsters, movie stars, and other mensch to play, party and parade door-to-door, what about the constancy of a mind’s haunt? Is there a trick or treat?

Or perhaps, the more elegant question is:

“To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?”
(William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1)

The troubled Dane’s introspection (and the other instances of clear mental travails that punctuate this theatrical masterpiece) suggests to me that mental illness has been recognized for centuries. The traditions of Halloween celebrate an unworldly haunting that very well may parallel the haunting that confronts so many on a daily basis. Let’s all reach out to welcome, comfort, and accept those who may from time-to-time stare into the precipice.

My guess is that chocolate, licorice, Prozac and Lexipro do not sufficiently dose . . . add warmth, caring, and love – stir well.