Mental health care is crucial for emotional well-being and overall quality of life. With growing awareness, more people are seeking help for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and schizophrenia. So, we need a comprehensive understanding of mental health to know how to treat it.
Why is mental health important?
Mental health includes a person’s psychological, emotional and social well-being. It shapes the way you think, feel, behave and interact with others. Your mental state also affects how you cope with stress. It’s a vital part of your life, from infancy through adulthood.
What is a mental health disorder?
Mental health disorders, or mental health disorders, affect the way you think and behave. They change your mood and can make it difficult to function at home, work, school or in your community.
It’s important to note that having poor mental health doesn’t always mean you have a mental health disorder. You can also have a mental health disorder and still go through long periods of good mental health.
Different types of mental health disorders
There are more than 200 types of mental health disorders.A few of the most common types of mental health disorders include:
Anxiety Disorders: Characterized by excessive worry and fear in everyday situations, making daily activities difficult to manage and control.
Depression: A persistent and severe mood disorder marked by deep sadness and loss of interest. Some individuals may experience self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or even psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.
Disruptive Behavior Disorders (e.g. Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder): Defined by impulsivity, difficulty with self-control, and defiant or socially inappropriate behavior in situations that require discipline and restraint.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Involves intrusive obsessive thoughts, compulsive urges, or repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily life.
Personality Disorders (e.g.Borderline Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder): A broad category of disorders that affect emotional regulation, relationships, and behavior.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A severe stress disorder triggered by traumatic events such as natural disasters, accidents, or violence. Symptoms include flashbacks, heightened anxiety, emotional numbness, and avoidance of trauma-related situations.
Who will get mental health disorders?
Anyone of any age, sex, background or ethnicity can get a mental health disorder. Females more commonly experience depression, anxiety and eating disorders. While males are more likely to experience substance abuse and antisocial personality disorders.
mental health disorders are common
mental health disorders are common in the United States. About 1 in 5 adults and adolescents live with a mental health disorder. About half of all mental health disorders begin by age 14 and three-quarters begin by age 24.
Suicide, which is often associated with mental illness, is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. It’s the second leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 34.
What causes mental health disorders?
Mental health disorders can have many causes. They might be the result of abnormal genes. You may inherit those genes from a parent, or genes can change during your life. Chemical imbalances in your brain can also lead to mental illness. health disorders can have many causes. They might be the result of abnormal genes. You may inherit those genes from a parent, or genes can change during your life. Chemical imbalances in your brain can also lead to mental illness.
Your risk of mental illness increases if you:
Use alcohol or recreational drugs.
Don’t get proper nutrition.
Don’t have a support system of friends or family members.
Had a traumatic birth or were born from a high-risk pregnancy.
Have a chronic medical condition such as cancer, diabetes or hypothyroidism.
Have a family history of mental health disorders.
Have a neurological disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Have a sleep disorder.
Have extreme stress in your life.
Have had a traumatic brain injury.
Have had a traumatic life event or a history of abuse.
Struggle with your spirituality or beliefs.
What are the symptoms of a mental health disorder?
Mental health disorders can lead to a broad range of symptoms, including:
Use of recreational drugs or alcohol.
Avoiding social situations and friends.
Changes in sex drive.
Difficulty perceiving reality, including having delusions or hallucinations.
Excessive worrying or fear.
Fatigue or sleep problems.
Feelings of sadness or isolation.
Inability to gauge or interpret other people’s feelings or emotions.
Intense irritability or anger.
Obsession with your physical appearance, weight or eating habits.
Problems concentrating, learning or completing everyday tasks.
Sudden mood changes, going from ” lows” to “highs”.
Suicidal thoughts or self-injury.
Mental health disorders in children tend to affect their functioning. You might notice:
Changes in their performance at school, or how they interact with other children.
Disinterest in activities or hobbies they used to enjoy.
Excessive worry or anxiety, such as fear of going to bed.
Frequent temper tantrums, disobedience or aggression.
Hyperactive behavior, such as problems concentrating or sitting still.
Nightmares.
Management and Treatment
How are mental health disorders treated?
Treatments for mental health disorders may include:
Medication: Some mental health disorders respond well to medication, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics. These medicines change the chemicals in your brain, so you experience fewer symptoms. It’s very important to take medication exactly as your healthcare provider directs. Never stop taking medication for a mental illness without consulting your healthcare provider.
Psychotherapy: Talking to a mental health professional can help you work through the challenges of an illness and manage its symptoms. Psychotherapy can be in a one-to-one setting with a healthcare provider or a group setting. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy. It focuses on helping you change negative behaviors and thought patterns.
Alternative therapies: Some mental health disorders, such as depression, may improve with alternative therapies. Examples include herbal remedies, massage, acupuncture, yoga and meditation. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any herbal remedies or supplements. They may affect other medications.
Brain stimulation therapies: Not all disorders improve with medication. If that’s the case, your healthcare provider may recommend brain stimulation therapies. These treatments change the way nerves and other cells in your brain process chemicals and respond to stimuli. Examples include electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Outlook
Most people with mental health disorders can manage their symptoms. They lead full, fulfilling lives with the right treatments. Some people will need to manage a mental health disorder for the rest of their lives. Others find that symptoms improve as they get older. Overall, mental health disorders tend to peak in young adults ages 18 to 25, then diminish greatly after 50. Mental illness can also increase your risk for certain health conditions such as stroke, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
