My mind's not 'BROKEN'

What is Mental Health?

Mental health refers to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It is all about how people think, feel, and behave. People sometimes use the term “mental health” to mean the absence of a mental disorder.

Mental health can affect daily living, relationships, and physical health.

The WHO stress that mental health is “more than just the absence of mental

disorders or disabilities.” Peak mental health is about not only avoiding active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness.

 In 2017, an estimated 11.2 million adults in the U.S., or about 4.5% of adults, had a severe psychological condition, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

 Risk factors for mental health conditions

Everyone has some risk of developing a mental health disorder, no matter their age, sex, income, or ethnicity.

In the U.S. and much of the developed world, mental disorders are one of the leading causes of disability.

Social and financial circumstances, biological factors, and lifestyle choices can all shape a person’s mental health.

A large proportion of people with a mental health disorder have more than one condition at a time.

It is important to note that good mental health depends on a delicate balance of factors and that several elements of life and the world at large can work together to contribute to disorders

Common mental health disorders

The most common types of mental illness are as follows:

• anxiety disorders                    
• mood disorders
• schizophrenia disorders

Anxiety disorders

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness.

People with these conditions have severe fear or anxiety, which relates to certain objects or situations. Most people with an anxiety disorder will try to avoid exposure to whatever triggers their anxiety.

Examples of anxiety disorders include:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

The American Psychiatric Association define GAD as disproportionate worry that disrupts everyday living.

People might also experience physical symptoms, including

• restlessness
• fatigue
• tense muscles
• interrupted sleep

A bout of anxiety symptoms does not necessarily need a specific trigger in people with GAD.

They may experience excessive anxiety on encountering everyday situations that do not present a direct danger, such as chores or keeping appointments. A person with GAD may sometimes feel anxiety with no trigger at all.

Find out more about GAD here.

Panic disorders

People with a panic disorder experience regular panic attacks, which involve sudden, overwhelming terror or a sense of imminent disaster and death.

Phobias

There are different types of phobia:

• Simple phobias: These might involve a disproportionate fear of specific objects, scenarios, or animals. A fear of spiders is a common example. Learn more about simple phobias here.
• Social phobia: Sometimes known as social anxiety, this is a fear of being subject to the judgment of others. People with social phobia often restrict their exposure to social environments. Find out more here.
• Agoraphobia: This term refers to a fear of situations in which getting away may be difficult, such as being in an elevator or moving train. Many people misunderstand this phobia as a fear of being outside. Read all about agoraphobia here.

Mood disorders

People may also refer to mood disorders as affective disorders or depressive disorders.

• Major depression: An individual with major depression experiences a constant low mood and loses interest in activities and events that they previously enjoyed. They can feel prolonged periods of sadness or extreme sadness.
• Bipolar disorder: A person with bipolar disorder experiences unusual changes 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. Read more about the different types of bipolar here.
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Reduced daylight triggers during the fall, winter, and early spring months trigger this type of major depression. It is most common in countries far from the equator. Learn more about SAD here. 

• Early signs

• There is no physical test or scan that reliably indicates whether a person has developed a mental illness. However, people should look out for the following as possible signs of a mental health disorder:

  
  
  

• withdrawing from friends, family, and colleagues
• avoiding activities that they would normally enjoy
• sleeping too much or too little
• eating too much or too little
• feeling hopeless
• having consistently low energy
• using mood-altering substances, including alcohol and nicotine, more frequently
• displaying negative emotions
• being confused
• being unable to complete daily tasks, such as getting to work or cooking a meal
• having persistent thoughts or memories that reappear regularly
• thinking of causing physical harm to themselves or others
• hearing voices
• experiencing delusions

  Causes of Mental IllnessWhat are the causes of mental illness? Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

What Biological Factors Are Involved in Mental Illness?

Some mental illnesses have been linked to abnormal functioning of nerve cell circuits or pathways that connect particular brain regions. Nerve cells within these brain circuits communicate through chemicals called neurotransmitters. "Tweaking" these chemicals -- through medicines, psychotherapy or other medical procedures -- can help brain circuits run more efficiently. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain have also been linked to some mental conditions.

Other biological factors that may be involved in the development of mental illness include:

• Genetics (heredity): Mental illnesses sometimes run in families, suggesting that people who have a family member with a mental illness may be somewhat more likely to develop one themselves. Susceptibility is passed on in families through genes. Experts believe many mental illnesses are linked to abnormalities in many genes rather than just one or a few and that how these genes interact with the environment is unique for every person (even identical twins). That is why a person inherits a susceptibility to a mental illness and doesn't necessarily develop the illness. Mental illness itself occurs from the interaction of multiple genes and other factors -- such as stress, abuse, or a traumatic event -- which can influence, or trigger, an illness in a person who has an inherited susceptibility to it.
• Infections: Certain infections have been linked to brain damage and the development of mental illness or the worsening of its symptoms. For example, a condition known as pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder (PANDAS) associated with the Streptococcus bacteria has been linked to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder and other mental illnesses in children.
• Brain defects or injury: Defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain have also been linked to some mental illnesses.
• Prenatal damage: Some evidence suggests that a disruption of early fetal brain development or trauma that occurs at the time of birth -- for example, loss of oxygen to the brain -- may be a factor in the development of certain conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder.
• Substance abuse : Long-term substance abuse, in particular, has been linked to anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
• Other factors: Poor nutrition and exposure to toxins, such as lead, may play a role in the development of mental illnesses.

Why Mental Health is Just as Important as Physical Health

When it comes to health and well-being, the first thing that appears in most people’s heads is physical health. They talk about exercise, jogging, hitting the gym, etc. But they never really talk about their mental health.

Mental health includes our psychological, social, and emotional well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and how we act in our daily lives. Your ability to handle emotions, stress, how you socialize with others, and making decisions are greatly determined by your psychological state.

Why pay attention to mental health?

In the past, humans only emphasized the importance of physical well-being. This is why we have Spartans and Barbarians who trained and built their bodies to survive. But in today’s world, our mental health is just as important.

We can’t be balanced if we only focus on our physical health, ignoring our psychological state. This is especially true if you want to live a great life and produce extraordinary results in each area.

• Treatment

  

  
  

  There are various methods for managing mental health problems. Treatment is highly individual, and what works for one person may not work for another.

  
  Some strategies or treatments are more successful in combination with others. A person living with a chronic mental disorder may choose different options at various stages in their life.
  

  The individual needs to work closely with a doctor who can help them identify their needs and provide them with suitable treatment.

  Treatments can include:

  Psychotherapy, or talking therapies

  

  
  

  This type of treatment takes a psychological approach to treating mental illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy are examples.

  Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and some primary care physicians carry out this type of treatment.

  It can help people understand the root of their mental illness and start to work on more healthful thought patterns that support everyday living and reduce the risk of isolation and self-harm.

  Read more about psychotherapy here.

  Medication

  

  
  

  Some people take prescribed medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytic drugs.

  Although these cannot cure mental disorders, some medications can improve symptoms and help a person resume social interaction and a normal routine while they work on their mental health
  Some of these medications work by boosting the body’s absorption of feel-good chemicals, such as serotonin, from the brain. Other drugs either boost the overall levels of these chemicals or prevent their degradation or destruction.

  
  
  

  Find out more about antidepressant medications here.

  Self-help

  

  A person coping with mental health difficulties 

  Such changes might include reducing alcohol intake, sleeping more, and eating a balanced, nutritious diet. People may need to take time away from work or resolve issues with personal relationships that may be causing damage to their mental health.

  People with conditions such as an anxiety or depressive disorder may benefit from relaxation techniques, which include deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness.

  Having a support network, whether via self-help groups or close friends and family, can also be essential to recovery from mental illness.will usually need to make changes to their lifestyle to facilitate wellness.

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• Suicide prevention

  If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

  If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours per day at 800-273-8255. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can call 800-799-4889.

  

  Click here for more links and local resources.