Some Common Mental Health Problems

Mental health (MD) can be defined as the ability to cope with everyday demands with a satisfactory degree of clearness, organization, and calm. It is an individual’s capacity to enjoy his life to the fullest. Mental disorders are disorders that interfere with one or more areas of one’s life. There are different types of mental disorders and these include major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and social phobia. The symptoms of these disorders vary from person to person.

In order to make an accurate diagnosis of any mental health condition, a mental health professional has to conduct several tests and observe the person carefully. Regular follow-up visits to the physician are very crucial for proper treatment. Regular diagnostic practice by mental health professionals usually includes an initial interview called a mental health interview, in which psychological tests are conducted to evaluate physical appearance and functioning, self Reported symptoms, mental health history, current life situation, and future plan of action. A mental health professional may also order laboratory tests like blood test, urine test, saliva test, magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI), and x-ray to detect and diagnose mental illnesses. Sometimes, these professionals also use behavioral screening tools to evaluate the person’s susceptibility to the illness.

Major depression is a common mental health problem. People suffering from depression suffer from various symptoms such as hopelessness, helplessness, sadness, guilt, worthlessness, irritability, decreased appetite, insomnia, fatigue, and lack of interest in things that normally make them happy. This situation can be caused by any causes such as abuse, trauma, genetics, stress, alcohol or drug abuse, and medical conditions. A depressed person’s life is significantly affected. Consequently, family life is disrupted, work and social activities are affected, sleeping pattern is irregular, and self-esteem is low. If left untreated major depression can lead to other serious mental disorders such as psychotic disorders, bi-polar disorder, mania, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts and actions.

Bipolar disorder is another category of mental illnesses, which are characterized by mood swings and extreme emotional cycles. When a person experiences frequent changes of moods (manic depression), manic episodes (hysterical episode), and severe changes in behavior or self-destructive behaviors, he/she may be suffering from bipolar disorder. In addition to the warning signs mentioned above, there are certain signs you should look out for if you suspect your loved one may have some form of this mental health disorder.

Some signs you should look out for include constant argumentative speech, sudden announcement of departure from preferred routine, and feeling restless and unable to concentrate on usual activities. Talking about suicide, or repeatedly saying bad words or phrases like “I am a burden”, “I can’t do a thing” or “I can’t get it out of my head” may be signs of a mental health problem. Other signs include constantly feeling tired, cranky, unable to concentrate, frequent oversleeping, unable to sleep, and untidy rooms. If you observe any of these signs, take them seriously and schedule an appointment with your doctor.

There are several types of mental disorders; however they are categorized into two: psychological and non-psychological. Most people are familiar with the term schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by hallucinations, hearing voices, seeing objects that don’t exist, having unusual behavioral patterns and thinking ahead in time, and affecting one’s ability to make decisions. It is a chronic condition that affects people in their early age. Psychologists believe that most of the schizophrenia cases in the world are misdiagnosed and that in many cases, patients are actually being treated for psychological problems and not the real mental health problems.

An anxiety disorder is also a type of mental illness. The symptoms of an anxiety disorder differ from person to person depending on the cause. In general, anxiety symptoms include excessive fear, irritability, restlessness, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, and losing interest in day-to-day activities. These symptoms can be severe or moderate, and there are those who experience none. A panic disorder is an extreme type of this condition and can interfere with leading a normal life.

If left untreated, anxiety and depression can develop into a serious mental disorder called bipolar. Bipolar affects the emotions as well as the functioning of the mind and behavior. Someone with bipolar disorder may have extreme reactions to common situations. If left untreated, bipolar can develop into a manic episode, which is marked by an unusually high level of self-stimulation without regard to the needs and desires of others. Mania can be fatal if it becomes unmanageable.