As a professional motivational speaker and coach, I like to use the following anecdote in change management; respond to the light, or you will have to react to the heat. The light I am referring to can be interpreted as the signs of change, and the heat is the symptoms.
John W. Travis’ Illness–Wellness Continuum (1972) introduced the notion of responding sooner to emerging situations in a wellness context. He differentiated between the signs and symptoms that indicated wellness and explained their relationship to proactivity and reactivity.
Moving towards ill health
By using a continuum, Travis illustrated the differences between a good health paradigm on the right side of the continuum, representing improving wellness leading to superb well-being. On the left side, he had increasing illness culminating in premature death. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2019) claims that 60% of premature deaths are attributable to lifestyle diseases. We can view premature death metaphorically as well, like the premature death of our intentions, a loss of a relationship, failure in business, or even diminishing physical and mental abilities. This left side of the continuum is characterised by energy leaks, illness, and suffering. In summary, failing.
As one moves to the left of the continuum, there is progressive worsening, starting with signs, then manifesting in symptoms and finally, the real or metaphoric premature death. Physical symptoms of declining wellness include:
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- A poor or obsessive exercise regime
- Deficient food habits or neurotic control over your eating
- Signs and symptoms of declining mental wellness
It’s generally agreed that one of the starting points, and possible causes, of declining mental health is trauma. I have even heard trauma referred to as a mental injury in some circles.
When you consult psychiatrists because you are experiencing mental health issues and are distressed or in a psychological crisis, they are likely to diagnose one of the disorders catalogued in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). These diagnostic labels, given in the DSM, invariably have the unintended consequence of compounding existing feelings of humiliation, stigmatising and of exclusion for the distressed person.
For those who are significantly symptomatic, hospitalisation is often the first line of treatment, and, in most cases, clinicians prescribe pharmaceuticals in the form of neuroleptic drugs. Tragically, the side effects of this regimen usually make already fragile people feel more powerless and increasingly vulnerable.
I would like to suggest an alternative approach to the allopathic method and have come across many encouraging case studies. Still, I fear that in extremely symptomatic cases, there is an overwhelming concern that the distressed person may inflict self-harm or harm others due to their mood swings or a lack of self-awareness. This elevates the prominence of the psychiatric medication model.
However, I am concerned that a medication approach in isolation of psychotherapy, exercise and nutritional options can worsen mental health issues, including disability or suicide. These two are the primary negative outcomes that loved ones are trying to avoid when they accept the use of medication. If medication has been prescribed, I believe it is essential that it is applied within a holistic approach that includes an exit strategy to wean the affected person off the medication if, or hopefully, when they stabilise. However, despite my preference to stop medication once the patient has stabilised, there is a possibility that they experience new mental health issues if the withdrawal of medication is not carefully monitored.
Of course, there is the chance that the only option is medication as the affected person has an underlying pathology for which some level of medication seems to be the only practical route. As you can tell, I have opinions but do not have the experience nor the acumen to have a definitive approach to this problem. Will Hall, an American mental health advocate and leader in the recovery approach in mental health, writes and speaks eloquently on this topic. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Hall).
Motivational Speaker Dr Steve Harris translates a powerful combination of real-world experience, business success and academic insight into a language we can all understand. His background as a World Champion Sportsperson and Award Winning Entrepreneur set the perfect stage for his MBA (UCT) and his PhD on Mental Toughness. Dr Harris has an impressive toolkit to provide the sharp insights and turnkey observations to empower your team, company or conference to unlock their true potential.
When you book Dr. Steve Harris, you get a motivational speaker, conference speaker or team building facilitator who:
1. Can help you develop and sustain a unique competitive advantage
2. Provides content that is grounded in scientific research
3. Can adapt content to your needs
4. Is entertaining, credible and an example of what he claims
5. Can provide a follow-up learning experience
Edited by Lisl Whytock
Video: Differentiate Between Signs and Symptoms of Wellness
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Alan Straton
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