Mental Health
Mental health problems are becoming more and more common in western society. Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health estimate that 26.2 per cent of Americans aged 18 or over will suffer with a mental health disorder in any given year. This equates to around 57.7 million people every year. If you have been diagnosed with a mental health problem already, or are worried that you may be suffering from a disorder, there is no need to feel alone. Chances are that someone you work with or go to school with is also suffering from a similar problem. Mental health problems have become so commonplace that there is no longer any real stigma attached to them.
Symptoms and Causes
Mental health disorders can vary greatly, from mild anxiety to serious conditions like schizophrenia. Consequently, there are various different symptoms that you can experience if you are suffering from a mental health problem. People with anxiety issues may feel a lack of control and suffer panic attacks, while those with depression will often be weepy, tired and unmotivated. Serious conditions can cause hallucinations, self-harm and even drive sufferers to attempt suicide. Mental illnesses can be caused by a variety of factors, or even a combination of many. Physical factors, such as our genetic predisposition to developing mental health problems, can be exacerbated by stress or traumatic events that are currently happening in your life. Sometimes people who have suffered specific types of illnesses or brain injuries are diagnosed with mental health problems upon recovery.
Treatment
The most important step in your treatment is asking for help. Many people with mental health problems suffer alone, because they are too embarrassed to get help and worry what their doctor, family and colleagues will think of them. Once you have spoken to your doctor and he has diagnosed the particular mental illness you are suffering from, he will probably suggest that you start taking medication, especially if you are depressed or have been having suicidal thoughts. You may not need to take these tablets forever, but they are useful to help you feel better in the short term while you address what may be the root cause of your illness through other methods. If your mental illness has been triggered by a specific event, then counseling may be useful, giving you the chance to talk through your feelings with a professional. In some cases, your doctor may suggest therapy which, again, does not have to be long term.
Mental illness can be a very frightening experience, for the person suffering with it and for their friends and family. As society becomes better educated about why people suffer from mental health problems and the fact that it can happen to anyone, conditions like depression and anxiety will become even less stigmatized. Many people suffer in silence without asking for help with these illnesses because they feel it is a sign of weakness not to be able to cope, while in many cases there are biological reasons far beyond your control causing the problem.