Ever felt like your thoughts or feelings were getting in the way of living your best life? You’re not alone. Mental health problems, sometimes called mental illness, are common and can affect anyone. These problems can make it hard to work, go to school, hang out with friends, and enjoy life.
But the good news is that, with understanding and support, people can overcome these challenges and live fulfilling lives. If you’re interested in that, this article is for you. Let’s begin by taking a step back and re-visiting some basics you’d want to understand.
Mental Health vs. Mental Illness: What’s the Difference?
So, what’s the difference between mental health and mental illness? Mental health is a big picture of how we’re doing overall, including our:
- Thoughts
- How we get along with others.
- Feelings
Mental illness is a specific problem that messes with our mental health, making it harder to cope and do everyday things.
Think of it like this: mental health is like a scale with different levels of well-being. Mental illness is like a specific point on that scale where things get really tough, making it clear that professional help is needed.
Common Mental Health Problems: Types and Symptoms
There are a lot of different mental health problems, each with its own set of symptoms. Let’s look at some of the most common ones:
Mood Problems
These problems affect someone’s feelings and overall mood. Examples include Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Anxiety Problems
These problems are marked by too much worry, fear, and nervousness. Some examples include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Personality Problems
These problems involve unhealthy personality traits that cause big problems in relationships and work. Some examples include:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Antisocial personality disorder
Substance Use Problems
These problems involve using alcohol or drugs too much, leading to addiction and serious problems in different areas of life.
Eating Problems
These problems involve unhealthy eating habits and body image concerns. Examples include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder.
Trauma-Related Problems
These problems develop after someone goes through a really scary or upsetting event. Examples include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder.
Understanding Mental Health Problems: A Closer Look
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a book used by mental health professionals, lists over 200 different mental health problems. That might seem like a lot, but it just shows how diverse and complex human experiences can be.
Speaking of how common these conditions are, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness each year. This highlights the importance of understanding and addressing mental health issues.
Recognizing the Signs: What to Look For
It’s important to know the signs of mental illness so you can get help early on. While symptoms can vary, here are some common ones:
Physical symptoms
Someone might experience headaches, fatigue, digestive issues, or unexplained aches and pains.
Changes in thinking
Someone might have trouble concentrating, experience memory problems, or have intrusive thoughts.
Changes in mood
Someone might feel persistently sad, irritable, anxious, or overwhelmed.
Changes in behavior
Someone might withdraw from social activities, experience changes in sleep patterns, lose interest in hobbies or use substances more often.
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, it’s important to talk to a mental health professional.
Living with Mental Illness: Understanding Chronic Conditions
Now, some mental health problems are chronic, meaning they last a long time and may require ongoing management. But it’s important to remember that having a chronic mental illness doesn’t define a person. With the right treatment and support, people can live fulfilling lives.
Getting a Diagnosis: The Process Explained
Diagnosing a mental health problem usually involves a few steps:
Clinical Interview
A mental health professional will ask you about your symptoms, medical history, and family history.
Mental Health Assessment
You might take some standardized tests to evaluate your thinking, mood, and personality.
Physical Examination
A doctor might do a physical exam to rule out any medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms.
Different Types of Mental Disorders: An Overview
Mental disorders can be grouped into different categories based on their main symptoms and causes. Here are some examples:
Psychotic Problems
These problems involve a loss of contact with reality, like Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.
Personality Problems
These problems involve inflexible and unhealthy personality traits.
Neurodevelopmental Problems
These problems affect brain development and function, like autism spectrum disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Mood Problems
These problems affect a person’s feelings and overall mood.
Anxiety Problems
These problems are characterized by too much worry, fear, and nervousness.
Uncommon and Rare Mental Disorders: What You Need to Know
While many mental health problems are pretty common, some are less frequently diagnosed. These uncommon or rare disorders can be harder to diagnose and treat. Some examples include:
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
This disorder involves the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states.
Delusional Disorder
This disorder is characterized by persistent, false beliefs that are not based on reality.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
This disorder involves a preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s physical appearance.
Kleptomania
This is an impulse control disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to steal.
It’s important to remember that even rare mental health problems deserve attention and support.
The Impact of Mental Illness on Society
Mental health problems have a big impact on society, affecting individuals, families, and communities. Let’s look at some of the consequences of untreated mental illness:
- Increased healthcare costs: Mental health problems are a major reason for disability and healthcare use. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) , highlights that mental illness is a leading cause of disability in the US.
- Reduced productivity: Mental illness can make it harder for people to work, study, and contribute to society. Mental Health America (MHA) reports that mental illness costs the US economy billions of dollars each year due to lost productivity.
- Social stigma: The judgment surrounding mental illness can lead to discrimination, isolation, and delayed treatment. NAMI emphasizes the ongoing challenges of stigma and discrimination, which often prevent people from seeking help.
- Increased risk of suicide: Mental illness is a major risk factor for suicide. The American Psychological Association (APA) emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health issues to reduce suicide rates.
So, addressing mental health problems is crucial for creating a healthier and more equitable society. If you feel like it’s troublesome for you to handle all of this yourself, we get it. You can always reach out to our professionals at Heply to get more info and details on it.
Our experts are here to help you with:
- Reducing judgment
- Raising awareness
- Improving access to treatment
We can help people dealing with mental illness live fulfilling lives and contribute to society in meaningful ways. All you need to do is connect with us today.