The issue of mental health/ mental illness in our society has become cases that needs much attention as more people fall into depression because of this.
Most people have suffered from mental illness right from the early stage of their life while some are currently suffering from it.
Before I move further, what do we really understand by the words ‘Mental Health.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Since we now know what mental health is all about, we should really know it is very serious for us to have a stable mental health.
What can cause mental illness?
Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.
So many people have mental health issues from time to time. But a mental health issue becomes mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect the ability to function.
Mental illness can make human miserable and can cause problems in the daily activity of ones life, such as at school, work, marriage or relationships with people. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with a combination of medications and talking to therapist
Certain factors can jeopardize the mental health or may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, including: A history of mental illness in a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling. Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, a loved one’s death or a divorce. An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes.
Causes
Mental illnesses, in general, are thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors:
- Inherited traits. This Mental illness is common in people whose close relatives also have a mental illness. Certain genes may increase the risk of the person developing a mental illness.
- Environmental exposures before birth. The exposure of ones environment can also be a cause such as stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be linked to mental illness.
- Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When the neural networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, leading to depression and other emotional disorders.
Signs and symptoms of mental illness
- Always feeling sad or down
- Lack of concentration
- Confused thinking
- Excessive fears or worries
- Always feeling guilty
- Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
- Withdrawal from friends and activities
- Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
- Detachment from reality (delusions).
- Inability to handle daily or minor problem
- Trouble understanding people around
- Problems with alcohol or drug use
- Major changes in eating habits
- Sex drive changes
- Excessive anger, hostility or violence
- Suicidal thinking
What are the complication of mental illnesss
Some of the Complications sometimes linked to mental illness include:
- Unhappiness
- Family conflicts
- Relationship problems
- Isolating oneself
- Problems with drugs
- Legal and financial problems
- Poverty and homelessness
- Self-harm and harm to others, including suicide or homicide
- Heart disease and other medical conditions
How to prevent this.
Here are some of the things you can do to avoid mental illness, Click here for more.
- Pay attention to theOne need to pay close attention to the above signs or warnings and then he or she can therapist to learn what might trigger the symptoms. Make a plan so that you know what to do if symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel. Consider talking to trusted family members or friends to watch for warning signs.
- Get routine medical care. You should always do a regular medical checkup, neither should visiting health care especially if you aren’t feeling well. You may have a new health problem that needs to be treated, or you may be experiencing side effects of medication.
- Get help when you need it.Mental health conditions are something we should also look after, and can be harder to treat if symptoms get bad.
- Take good care of yourself.Sufficient sleep, healthy eating and regular physical activity are important. Try to maintain a regular schedule. Talk to your primary care provider if you have trouble sleeping or if you have questions about diet and physical activity.
