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There are many signs of mental illnesses throughout Fahrenheit 451 and each one is different. People that suffer from anxiety often feel like they will never be happy with themselves. Negatives thoughts often take over your thinking and it becomes hard to think positively. Experts say, “We can't take any happiness in if we place our focus on inner negatives”(Lavoie). While this is true, it can be hard for some people to make space for happiness when the anxiety and other mental illnesses are taking over. Studies are showing that, “With growing number of elderly worldwide, anxiety will become a widespread problem in late life, elevating numbers accessing health care and individual and social costs”(Balsamo). This shows that the numbers of elderly people with anxiety is increasing at serious rates and should not be taken lightly. But besides anxiety, there are other types of mental illnesses that are serious problems. In the past 10 years, the number of adults with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has increased and within that number, 50% of those adults have had serious impairment, not just mild or moderate impairment(Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). As mental health issues take over many people’s happiness, some are affected by substance abuse, which can make it worse. Experts in the field say, “While substance abuse problems and mental health issues don’t get better when they’re ignored—in fact, they are likely to get much worse—it’s important to know that you don’t have to feel this way”(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues). People often use alcohol or other drugs to try and relieve their stress or pain but in the end, it only makes it worse. There are many options for help but many adults are not aware and do not get the attention that they need (Depression in the Elderly | NEJM). In conclusion, mental health issues are a problem across the board and not should not be overlooked.

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Mental health issues are prevalent in Fahrenheit 451 and especially common in adults in the society. Although it is overlooked and underestimated, mental health illnesses are seen in many adults today. About 20% of adults in America experience a mental disorder and, more than half of them do not receive treatment(Mental Health in America). This number is significant because almost one in every five people could be suffering from a mental illness without even showing it. As the study shows, “56.4% of adults with a mental illness received no treatment.  Lack of access to treatment is slowly improving”(Mental Health in America). More than half of adults that suffer from mental disorders are not getting the help they need which is devastating. Some people don’t have access to help other times, when adults go to get treated, and doctors overlook the issues. Another important fact that is often ignored is that suicide thoughts are common in adults. “The estimated number of adults with serious suicidal thoughts is over 9.8 million” (Mental Health in America). Suicide is looked at as a huge issue in teens and while that is true, it is important not to forget that suicidal thoughts do occur in adults. Adults may not know where to get help because help is not always offered. Suicide prevention lines reach out to teens and those organizations should target adults as well. As the experts found, “"More U.S. adolescents and young adults in the late 2010s, versus the mid-2000s, experienced serious psychological distress, major depression or suicidal thoughts, and more attempted suicide"” (Mental Health issues). The statistics show that more adolescents and young adults than ever before are experiencing the side effects of mental health disorders. Steps are not being taken in order to prevent these numbers from rising and that is especially the case in adults. Researchers say that many old people may be denied treatment for mental health because of the assumption that depression is natural when getting older(Kennard). This is not fair to elderly people and can be a cause of suicide which could all be lessened if proper treatment was given.

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Mental health issues being ignored can affect your life in many negative ways. In Fahrenheit 451, Montag feels like he is “drowning” and this could lead to his mental health affecting his life. We truly know that Montag feels signs of depression or a mental health disorder when he says, “It was only the other night everything was fine and the next thing I know I’m drowning. How many times can a man drown and still be alive”(Bradbury 124). The tone of the quote shows how he is really feeling. Anxiety and depression being ignored can wear a person down and lead to feeling like you are alone or like there is no solution. Bradbury uses imagery to show how Montag is feeling and what he is going through. Montag experiences what could be a panic attack or just the feeling of being overwhelmed. “Montag shut his eyes, shouted, shouted, and fought to get his hands at his ears to clamp and cut away the sound”(Bradbury 113). Anxiety attacks happen different for everyone but when someone gets overwhelmed, the best way to calm down can just be to block everything out. Montag’s feelings could be taking control of his life and finally it caught up to him, all being too much. When someone experiences an anxiety attack, they may get blurry vision or in this case, Montag completely shut his eyes. It can get hard to breathe, see, or think straight while experiencing a panic attack. Closing his eyes and covering his ears could be Montag’s way of dealing with it.

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Anxiety and depression is overlooked in adults and sometimes, the adults themselves try to ignore the signs. Within Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury uses social commentary to show this. Montag is convincing himself that he is happy by saying, “Of course I’m happy. What does she think? I’m not?”(Bradbury 8). The use of stream-of-consciousness let’s the readers know what Montag thinks when he’s alone and how he feels about himself. A lot of times, when people are unhappy, they convince themselves that everything is okay even though it might not be. Montag could be convincing himself that his lifestyle is right for him and his job is fulfilling even though deep down, he may not really believe that. Later on, we come to find out how Montag truly is feeling when the narrator states, “He felt his smile slide away, melt… He was not happy… He wore his happiness like a mask”(Bradbury 9). This explicit quote let’s readers know how Montag actually feels. A lot of times, since adults tend to block out any sense of depression, they are never true to themselves about their own feelings. These negative feelings can take over and lead you to feel poorly about yourself or even deeper, lead to thoughts about not being worth it or feeling like you don't have a place. To hide this, Montag may feel that the easiest thing to do is just pretend like he is happy. Being in touch with your feelings can be a hard thing to do and can take a lot of time.

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This video shares many statistics that many people are probably not aware of. Relating to Fahrenheit 451, this video talks about how many adult Americans have depression and bipolar disporder which is talked about in the book.

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Mental Health Statistics in America (US) (Statistics, Facts, and Data)

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This video tells a true story of someone who has dealt with a mental illness. It spreads the message that even if someone looks "okay", they might not be. Speak Elizabeth Medina tells her story about depression and mental health while going through college.

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What They Don't Tell You About Mental Illness   Elizabeth Medina   TEDxSpeedwayPlaza

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This image shows the difference of people’s brains based on if they have a mental illness and if so, which one. The colors show how people think differently.

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This side by side comparison shows the difference between someone who suffers from depression and someone who doesn’t. This shows that even if you can’t tell from the outside, it is possible for someone to suffer from depression.

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Robin Williams reiterates the point that mental health is not taken seriously and that even if someone looks like they are happy, you never really know what they’re going through.

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This photo shows the statistics of people who suffer from a mental illness. It shows how common it can be although it may not always be diagnosed or recognized.

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Michelle Obama talking about mental health relates to Fahrenheit 451 because she is saying that a illness is an illness no matter what it affects. This relates to how doctors don’t mental health illnesses seriously.

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Mrs. Jenkins
English 10-7
17 April 2019

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Ray Bradbury used his novel Fahrenheit 451 to bring attention to mental health issues and, according to research within the past decade, was accurate in his message that mental health is overlooked and is not taken as seriously as an actual disease, specifically considering depression and anxiety in adults.