A study by the American Psychiatric Association points to reasons why Jews have factors that put them at risk for mental health problems, some almost unique to Jews. I learned of this when I researched the topic, deciding to write on a subject dealing with mental health in honor of Freud’s birthday which is today.
Now before I mention those reasons, let me say that over two decades ago I delivered a sermon on seeking professional psychological help. I based it on my decision to talk to someone in the field after the death of my father, making me an adult orphan. Following that holyday sermon, there were quite a few congregants who thanked me for giving them “permission” to do likewise. Excuse me? Their rabbi had to give them permission to speak to a mental health expert??
If I spoke about seeking medical assistance for an illness, no one would see that in the same light. I’m glad my words touched a nerve, yet we should all realize that issues that weigh upon us won’t go away with Tylenol or booze. And emotional and psychological problems can usually be treated either by talk therapy and/or medication. There’s nothing – or there should be nothing – to create guilt or shame.
Back to the study…
Surprisingly, Jews in my generation and that of our children, have PTSD even if they didn’t serve in dangerous war zones themselves. But their parents may have served, and they may have been Holocaust survivors or lost loved ones in those dark days. And even more vulnerable are former Soviet Jews who may be double-victims; their parents may have been survivors and they themselves suffered religious persecution before their departure from the FSU.
It seems that our people feel a greater stigma if they seek mental health help, thus creating a vicious cycle, i.e., they’ve got issues, they won’t seek help, their issues multiply.
While it is true that percentage-wise alcoholism is less prevalent among Jews than other groups, the same isn’t true with other addictions. But there are those who know Twelve-Step programs can help, yet they believe those are exclusively “Christian” in nature and there are none for those who aren’t Christian. They believe – and I cannot imagine why – that traditional treatment for issues other than addiction aren’t as effective so all too often their addiction gets worse.
Especially in Orthodox neighborhoods, women are often overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Having more children than the norm and not being treated as equals with their husbands and sons, they fall prey to depression more than other Jewish women. Furthermore, their community is very “suspicious” of professionals that treat anything other than the body so they don’t seek help, again creating a vicious cycle.
Jews are far more prone to eating disorders. As the study indicates, “The central role food plays in Jewish culture and religious (observances) may also complicate diagnosis and treatment.” If the problem persists and the way to proceed is questionable, Jewish patients often quit their therapy.
We are a people with an emphasis on high academic achievement, in some cases expectation of perfection. “Practice, practice, practice,” is the punchline for the joke about the tourist who asks a Jewish New Yorker how to get to Carnegie Hall. Well, that and “Study, study, study” adds to stress.
To me the bottom line is, if you’ve got a toothache, you’ll see your dentist; if you’ve got a stomachache you’ll see your physician. For heaven’s sake, if you’ve got an ache in your head or your heart that doesn’t require a tongue depressor, go see a mental health provider! Love, Siggy