Mental Health
Mental Health
Mental health important for overall health
Mental and physical health are equally important components
of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of
physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes,
heart disease, and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase
the risk for mental illness.
Mental health conditions
Mental illness are disorders, ranging from mild to severe,
that affect a person’s thinking, mood, and/or behavior. According to the
National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults live with a
mental illness.
Many factors
contribute to mental health conditions, including:
•
Biological factors, such as genes or brain
chemistry
•
Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
•
Family history of mental health problems
Types of mental health disorders
Healthcare professionals’ group mental health disorders
according to the features they have in common. They include:
•
Anxiety
disorders
•
Mood disorders
•
Schizophrenia disorders
Anxiety disorders
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of
America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders. People
with these conditions have severe fear or anxiety related to certain objects or
situations. Most people with an anxiety disorder try to avoid exposure to
whatever triggers their anxiety.
Below are some examples of anxiety disorders.
Generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD) involves excessive worry or fear that disrupts everyday living.
People may also experience physical symptoms, including:
•
Restlessness
•
Fatigue
•
Poor concentration
•
Tense muscles
•
Interrupted sleep
Anxiety symptoms do not always have a specific trigger in
people with GAD. They may experience excessive anxiety when encountering
everyday situations that do not pose a direct danger, such as chores or
appointments. A person with GAD may sometimes feel anxiety with no trigger at
all.
➢ Panic disorder: People with panic
disorder experience regular panic attacks involving sudden, overwhelming terror
or a sense of imminent disaster and death.
➢ Phobias: There are many types of
phobias, and what may seem typical to one person might be a severe problem that
dominates daily life for another. Different types include:
➢ Simple phobias: These may involve a
disproportionate fear of specific objects, scenarios, or animals. A fear of
spiders is a typical example.
➢ Social phobia: Sometimes known as
social anxiety, this is a fear of being watched or judged by others. People
with social phobia often restrict their exposure to social environments.
➢ Agoraphobia: The term “agoraphobia”
refers to a fear of situations were getting away may be difficult, such as
being in an elevator or a moving train. People sometimes misunderstand this
phobia as a fear of being outside.
➢ Obsessive-compulsive disorder: People
with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may experience constant, stressful
thoughts and an urge to perform repetitive acts, such as handwashing.
➢ PTSD: PTSD can occur after a person
experiences or witnesses a stressful or traumatic event. During this type of
event, the person thinks their life or other people’s lives are in danger. They
may feel afraid or that they have no control over what is happening. These
sensations of trauma and fear may then contribute to PTSD.
Mood disorders
People may also refer to mood disorders as affective
disorders or depressive disorders. People with these conditions have
significant mood changes, generally involving either mania, a period of high
energy and joy, or depression. Examples of mood disorders include:
Major depression:
An individual with major depression experiences a constant low mood and loses
interest in activities and events that they previously enjoyed (anhedonia).
They may feel prolonged periods of sadness or extreme sadness.
Bipolar disorder:
A person with bipolar disorder experiences unusual changes Trusted Source in
their mood, energy levels, levels of activity, and ability to continue with
daily life. Periods of high mood are known as manic phases, while depressive
phases bring on low mood.
Seasonal affective disorder
(SAD): Reduced daylight during the fall, winter, and early spring months
triggers SAD, a type of major depression Trusted Source. It is most common in
countries far from the equator.
Read more about the different types of bipolar disorder.
Schizophrenia disorders
The term “schizophrenia” often refers to a spectrum of disorders characterized
by features of psychosis and other severe symptoms. These are highly complex
conditions. According to the NIMH, signs of schizophrenia typically develop
between the ages of 16 and 30Trusted Source. A person will have thoughts that
appear fragmented, and may also find it hard to process information.
Schizophrenia has negative and positive symptoms. Positive
symptoms include delusions, thought disorders, and hallucinations, while
withdrawal, lack of motivation, and a flat or inappropriate mood are examples
of negative symptoms.
Some mental health topics include:
•
Antisocial
personality disorder
•
Anxiety disorder
•
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
•
Bipolar disorder
•
Borderline personality disorder
•
Depression
•
Eating disorders
•
Post-traumatic stress disorder
•
Schizophrenia
•
Seasonal affective disorder
•
Self-harm
•
Suicide and suicidal behavior
A serious Mental illness is a mental illness that interferes
with a person’s life and ability to function. Despite common misperception,
having a serious mental illness is not a choice, a weakness, or a character
flaw. It is not something that just “passes” or can be “snapped out of’’ with
willpower.
Early warning signs & Symptoms
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental
health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or
behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
•
Eating or sleeping
too much or too little
•
Pulling away from people and usual
activities
•
Having low or no energy
•
Feeling numb or like nothing matters
•
Having unexplained aches and pains
•
Feeling helpless or hopeless
•
Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than
usual
•
Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge,
angry, upset, worried, or scared
•
Yelling or fighting with family and friends
•
Experiencing severe mood swings that cause
problems in relationships
•
Having persistent thoughts and memories you
can’t get out of your head
•
Hearing voices or believing things that are not
true
•
Thinking of harming yourself or others
•
Inability to perform daily tasks like taking
care of your kids or getting to work or school.
Tips for living well with a mental health condition
Having a mental health condition can
make it a struggle to work, keep up with school, stick to a regular schedule,
have healthy
relationships, socialize, maintain hygiene,
and more. However, with early and
consistent treatment—often a combination of medication and psychotherapy—it is
possible to manage these
conditions, overcome challenges, and lead a meaningful, productive life.
Today, there are new tools, evidence-based treatments, and
social support systems that help people feel better and pursue their goals.
Some of these tips, tools and strategies include:
•
Stick to
a treatment plan. Even if you feel better, don’t stop going to therapy or
taking medication without a doctor’s guidance. Work with a doctor to safely
adjust doses or medication if needed to continue a treatment plan.
•
Keep your
primary care physician updated. Primary care physicians are an important
part of longterm management, even if you also see a psychiatrist.
•
Learn
about the condition. Being educated can help you stick to your treatment
plan. Education can also help your loved ones be more supportive and
compassionate.
•
Practice
good self-care. Control stress with activities such as meditation or
tai-chi; eat healthy and exercise; and get enough sleep.
•
Reach out
to family and friends. Maintaining relationships with others is important.
In times of crisis or rough spells, reach out to them for support and help.
•
Develop
coping skills. Establishing healthy coping skills can help people deal with
stress easier.
•
Get
enough sleep. Good sleep improves your brain performance, mood and overall
health. Consistently poor sleep is associated with anxiety, depression, and other
mental health conditions.
Helplines are available
Sri Lanka Sumithrayo –
Sri Lanka Sumithrayo offers emotional support to those who are lonely,
depressed, despairing and in danger of taking their own.
Tel - +94 707 308 308 / +94 767 520 520 Web – srilankasumithrayo.lk
1926 – National Mental
Health Helpline
National mental health helpline is dedicated to providing
24/7, free and confidential support by phone and text message.
An article written by – L. P. Pramodya Hanshini
Faculty of Management and Finance
University of Ruhuna
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