Nowadays, it’s no longer a surprise about the widespread problem of mental health. For some time, the topic of mental health has not been recognized as a medical condition. It is also a topic that people don’t place importance on.
According to statistics by World Health Organization, neurological disorders have affected about one in four person all over the world in their lifetime. Approximately 450 million people are afflicted with these type of conditions. In the United States, around 50 million Americans are suffering from mental illnesses. These disorders are currently recognized as the leading cause of mental disability and illnesses in the world.
What makes mental health problems difficult to understand is that the symptoms vary widely. Often, families whose loved ones are suffering from mental disorders cannot identify the symptoms at first. The moment they recognize it, it can be emotionally and physically challenging to deal with. Often, they may not recognize it at all until it’s too late for intervention and treatment.
Mental health problem overview
When a person is suffering from mental health problems, an occurrence of severe disturbances in their thoughts and behavior. As a result, it makes them unable to keep up with life’s demands.
There are many types of mental health disorders that are classified by their symptoms. Treatments for these illnesses also vary. Some of the most common ones include:
– Sudden angry outbursts
– Extreme depression
– Borderline personality disorder
– Suicidal tendencies
– Eating problems including bulimia
– Post-traumatic disorders
– Paranoia
– Hypomania or mania
– Dissociative Disorder
– Dementia
How to determine mental health problems
To identify mental disorders, it is important to recognize the symptoms.
In adolescents, young adults, and adults, the symptoms include:
– Incoherent thoughts
– Extended periods of extreme depression and social withdrawal
– Sudden changes in moods
– Changes in eating habits that are dramatic
– Sleeping habits would also change erratically
– Episodes of delusion and paranoia
– Episodes of hallucinations or imagining things that are not there
– Increased inability to keep up with ordinary problems and routine
– Thoughts about suicide
– Feelings of unexplained pains around the body
In pre-adolescent or older children, the symptoms include:
– Excessive abuse of substances
– Increased inability to keep up with ordinary problems and routine
– Complains about frequent unexplained physical pains
– Extreme feelings of fear
– Unable to manage and keep with school activities and responsibilities
– Dramatic changes in eating and sleeping habits
– Extended periods of negative moods, often having suicidal thoughts
– Sudden angry outbursts
– Increased defiance of people in authority
– May have tendencies to commit petty crimes like theft and vandalism
In young children, the symptoms include:
– Increased changes in eating and sleeping habits
– Constantly getting poor grades despite efforts
– Changes in performance at school
– Episodes of hyperactivity
– Extreme feelings of worry and anxiety
– Temper tantrums that are frequent
– Frequently disobedient and showcases aggression
– Frequent experiences of panic attacks and nightmares
Dealing with the stigma
It is unfortunate that most people do not understand what mental health problems does to a person. They can find the behavior of a person offensive and upsetting. This results in them shutting out the person who is suffering making it hard for them to deal with the problem. When a person is suffering from mental health issues, it is often a frightening and challenging experience.
If you yourself or anyone that you know are struggling from mental health disorders, it is essential to know that you are not going through it alone. There are some options that are best for you to consider once the problem has been identified:
- Help other people understand the diagnosis of your problem and what it really means.
- Be more proactive during treatments and voice out your concerns. Seek for guidance when it comes to the most effective steps when you’re not satisfied with the kind of therapy.
- Reach out to someone who is supportive in your advocating effective treatments for mental health problems.
- Communicate and share your experiences with others. This way, personal accounts of how mental disorders are real and can adversely affect your life can help people to change their perspective.
- Involve yourself in campaigns that are organized to end the misconceptions of mental health illnesses.
How do you help someone who has mental disorders?
Dealing with someone with mental health problems can sometimes be beyond medical solutions or treatments. Often, people who don’t understand the realities of struggling with mental health can put themselves in the situation. As a result, it becomes mentally and physically straining for them. For your loved ones’ sake, it is important to take note that:
- Maintain yourself and avoid extending too much as it will only further the problem
- Try not to fall deeply into the role of being their ‘savior’ or ‘fixer’ as this also has limits
- It helps when you offer acceptance, empathy, and acceptance that is above what is measured
- Be wary that even your love and actions may not be sufficient enough. Handle the situation with objectivity and don’t let your emotions get the best of you.
- If he or she accepts to undergo treatment, let them be aware of your utmost support. You can also extend an offer to accompany them throughout the entire phase.
- Simply listening to them. It’s a struggle in itself when your friend opens up to you on the subject of mental disorders. If they do so, listen and avoid changing the subject.
- Educate yourself on the realities of mental health disorders and recognize the symptoms it is associated with.
- Most importantly, make sure to take care of yourself as well. Being there for your friend all the time can be overwhelming and stressful at once. Ensure that you have time for yourself as well and do something to relax.
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