Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
Mental health refers to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It is all about how people think, feel, and behave. Mental health can affect daily living, relationships, and physical health. Looking after mental health can preserve a person’s ability to enjoy life. Conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety can all affect mental health and disrupt a person’s routine.
Common Mental Health Disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders
• Schizophrenia disorders
Anxiety Disorders: 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. Anxiety can be due to various factors such as Phobias, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mood Disorders: People may also refer to mood disorders as affective disorders or depressive disorders. 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. 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.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Reduced daylight triggers during the fall, winter, and early spring months trigger this type of major depression.
Schizophrenia Disorders: Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.
Early Signs:
• 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
• Using mood-altering substances, including alcohol and nicotine, more frequently
• Being unable to complete daily tasks, such as getting to work or cooking a meal
• Thinking of causing physical harm to themselves or others
• Hearing voices
• Experiencing delusions
Treatment:
• Psychotherapy, or talking therapies
• Medication
• Self-help
