Did you know that every 1 in 17 Americans suffers from a serious mental illness? Or there are 10% children as well as adolescents in United States who suffer from different emotional as well as mental illnesses and disorders? You will also be surprised to know that 70 to 90% of the people with mental illness symptoms who have undergone treatment have shown improvement and are living better lives. This is because early identification and intervention has helped them overcome their mental disorders and minimize the mental illness symptoms. However, most of us have the question 'what is mental illness' in our minds. This is because people from the sane world are oblivious to the problems of those with mental disorders. In the following paragraphs, one shall discuss the answer to the question what is mental illness.
Mental Illness: Definition
Mental illness definition states that it is 'a mental condition that affects the mood, thinking and behavior of the affected individual'. Mental illness can lead to a lot of problems in time and also reduce the ability of a person in different areas of life, like work, family, personal relationships and social setups. There are over 200 mental illnesses and conditions that range from minor problems to severe mental disorders. Schizophrenia and depression are the most common mental illnesses.
As seen from the mental disorder definition, it is a disorder and not a disease. The signs and symptoms of metal illness are always open for debate and interpretation. As each individual is different from the other, similarly, the manifestation of a mental illness in different individuals tends to be slightly different.
What is Mental Illness Caused By?
The exact cause of a mental illness is not known. The causes of mental illness include genetic, biochemical and environmental factors that may lead to development of a mental illness. Some mental illnesses are biological in nature and some occur due to an emotional turmoil within an individual.
In case of biochemical causes, these occur due to chemical imbalances within the body. Some patients show changes within their brain patterns, which is what triggers a mental illness. The neurotransmitters within the brain going haywire may lead to mood disorders. Hormonal imbalances may also lead to mental disorders.
Environment plays a very important role in inoculating the seeds of mental illness in an individual. People who have been abused physically, sexually or mentally in their childhood or adolescent years are at a risk of developing mental problems as they grow into adults. A traumatic life experience may also shoot off chemical and emotional disturbances within the mind leading to mental illnesses. Financial loss, family problems, loss of a loved one, bullying by friends and peers, low self esteem, etc. are some of the factors that lead to mental illnesses.
Genetic factor is something no one can ever escape. Genes make an individual and mental illness can be inherited from our parents and forefathers. If some member of the family suffers from a mental illness, the genes can be passed on within the family. This genetic factor, if predisposed with an environmental factor, may lead to a full blown mental illness in a patient.
Mental Illness Symptoms
There are different mental illness symptoms that depend not only on the type of mental disorder, but also age and the individuals capacity to overcome or hide the signs. The mental illness symptoms are mostly exhibited in the form of change in emotional behavior, cognitive behavior or physical body language. The person may suffer from digestive problems, chest pain, back pain, fatigue, headache, may sweat excessively, sudden weight gain or loss, rapid heart rate and dizziness are some of the physical mental illness symptoms. Change in emotions, behavior or thinking pattern may lead to the following mental illness symptoms:
Mental Illness: Definition
Mental illness definition states that it is 'a mental condition that affects the mood, thinking and behavior of the affected individual'. Mental illness can lead to a lot of problems in time and also reduce the ability of a person in different areas of life, like work, family, personal relationships and social setups. There are over 200 mental illnesses and conditions that range from minor problems to severe mental disorders. Schizophrenia and depression are the most common mental illnesses.
As seen from the mental disorder definition, it is a disorder and not a disease. The signs and symptoms of metal illness are always open for debate and interpretation. As each individual is different from the other, similarly, the manifestation of a mental illness in different individuals tends to be slightly different.
What is Mental Illness Caused By?
The exact cause of a mental illness is not known. The causes of mental illness include genetic, biochemical and environmental factors that may lead to development of a mental illness. Some mental illnesses are biological in nature and some occur due to an emotional turmoil within an individual.
In case of biochemical causes, these occur due to chemical imbalances within the body. Some patients show changes within their brain patterns, which is what triggers a mental illness. The neurotransmitters within the brain going haywire may lead to mood disorders. Hormonal imbalances may also lead to mental disorders.
Environment plays a very important role in inoculating the seeds of mental illness in an individual. People who have been abused physically, sexually or mentally in their childhood or adolescent years are at a risk of developing mental problems as they grow into adults. A traumatic life experience may also shoot off chemical and emotional disturbances within the mind leading to mental illnesses. Financial loss, family problems, loss of a loved one, bullying by friends and peers, low self esteem, etc. are some of the factors that lead to mental illnesses.
Genetic factor is something no one can ever escape. Genes make an individual and mental illness can be inherited from our parents and forefathers. If some member of the family suffers from a mental illness, the genes can be passed on within the family. This genetic factor, if predisposed with an environmental factor, may lead to a full blown mental illness in a patient.
Mental Illness Symptoms
There are different mental illness symptoms that depend not only on the type of mental disorder, but also age and the individuals capacity to overcome or hide the signs. The mental illness symptoms are mostly exhibited in the form of change in emotional behavior, cognitive behavior or physical body language. The person may suffer from digestive problems, chest pain, back pain, fatigue, headache, may sweat excessively, sudden weight gain or loss, rapid heart rate and dizziness are some of the physical mental illness symptoms. Change in emotions, behavior or thinking pattern may lead to the following mental illness symptoms:
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- The person develops confused thinking
- The person may become delusional or start hallucinating
- The person may suddenly become angry, hostile or violent
- The person may become excessively fearful or worried
- The person feels sad or depressed
- The person shows inability to cope with their daily problems or stress
- The person has problems sleeping, or suffers from insomnia
- The sex drive undergoes a change
- Changes in eating habits of the person
- The person tends to withdraw from friends and other social activities
These symptoms are often spotted by close friends, family and spouses. This is because people in the close social circle of an individual are aware of the normal and abnormal behavior of an individual. One needs to remain alert regarding the signs of mental illness. A person who loves to eat may suddenly stop eating or throw up after eating. This may indicate anorexia, an eating disorder. Or else a calm and collected individual may burst out in anger more than normal indicating a mental illness. People who are firmly grounded to reality may begin hallucinating about someone trying to kill them or the whole world conspiring their downfall. Suicidal thoughts or attempt to suicide is also an indication of mental illness. All these mental illness symptoms, few subtle and few loud, may indicate brewing up of a mental disorder.
Types of Mental Illnesses
As mentioned above, the mental disorders list has over 200 types of mental illnesses. These mental illnesses are classified into different classes that are enlisted as follows:
Types of Mental Illnesses
As mentioned above, the mental disorders list has over 200 types of mental illnesses. These mental illnesses are classified into different classes that are enlisted as follows:
- Anxiety disorders
- Mood disorders
- Substance related disorders
- Developmental disorders
- Cognitive disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Personality disorders
- Sexual disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Dissociative disorders
How to Deal with Mental Illness
Mental illness is not a disease it is a condition that is most definitely, not contagious. If you feel someone is suffering from a mental illness, it is wise to extend a hand of support and care. Just like any physical illness, like cancer or heart disease, people with mental illness need support from their friends and family. Many times, people with mental illnesses are singled out and pushed away from the society. This is wrong as you are adding fuel to fire. If one feels something is wrong, they should seek help to cope with mental illness.
Mental illnesses are treatable and many times, early intervention can help get rid of the problem from the root. The most effective and common methods of treatment for mental illness includes medication, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, psychological therapy, psycho-social support, psychiatric rehabilitation, etc. One needs to support these people as they are at a risk of developing alcohol and substance abuse. This will heighten their mental condition.
How to deal with mental illness is a challenging question. Mental illness can cause a lot of problems in one's personal and professional lives. Bringing a person back to normal may take some time, as well as a lot of will power. One needs to make their life a bit simpler and less hectic. One should try and participate in social activities within the family, friends and in office to overcome loneliness, anxiety, fear and low self confidence. One should remain focused on their goal of recovery and keep their mind relaxed. Do not take stress and instead join a support group, so that people with similar problems can motivate you to overcome your mental illness. Also, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly will keep away the physical symptoms of mental illness away, as well as give one strength to make their mental health stronger.
Mental illness is just like any other physical disease. Not all people with mental illness are violent or need to be kept under supervision. Many mental illnesses are not life long conditions and can be treated medically. People with mental illness are often faced with a very difficult road to recovery as they are isolated from the community and the stigma attached with a mental condition is huge. Think twice before your call someone 'crazy', 'wacko', 'mad' or 'psycho'. These words may mean nothing to you, but to a person with mental illness it may seem to be degrading. You may inadvertently pull back a person from his road to recovery. Most of the people with mental illnesses recover from their condition fully without ever being hospitalized. Just as you would care for a person with cancer, a mentally ill person also needs to be cared for and handled with a bit of sensitivity. Hope the above paragraphs on what is mental illness has helped clear some of your doubts regarding this mental condition.
Mental illness is not a disease it is a condition that is most definitely, not contagious. If you feel someone is suffering from a mental illness, it is wise to extend a hand of support and care. Just like any physical illness, like cancer or heart disease, people with mental illness need support from their friends and family. Many times, people with mental illnesses are singled out and pushed away from the society. This is wrong as you are adding fuel to fire. If one feels something is wrong, they should seek help to cope with mental illness.
Mental illnesses are treatable and many times, early intervention can help get rid of the problem from the root. The most effective and common methods of treatment for mental illness includes medication, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, psychological therapy, psycho-social support, psychiatric rehabilitation, etc. One needs to support these people as they are at a risk of developing alcohol and substance abuse. This will heighten their mental condition.
How to deal with mental illness is a challenging question. Mental illness can cause a lot of problems in one's personal and professional lives. Bringing a person back to normal may take some time, as well as a lot of will power. One needs to make their life a bit simpler and less hectic. One should try and participate in social activities within the family, friends and in office to overcome loneliness, anxiety, fear and low self confidence. One should remain focused on their goal of recovery and keep their mind relaxed. Do not take stress and instead join a support group, so that people with similar problems can motivate you to overcome your mental illness. Also, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly will keep away the physical symptoms of mental illness away, as well as give one strength to make their mental health stronger.
Mental illness is just like any other physical disease. Not all people with mental illness are violent or need to be kept under supervision. Many mental illnesses are not life long conditions and can be treated medically. People with mental illness are often faced with a very difficult road to recovery as they are isolated from the community and the stigma attached with a mental condition is huge. Think twice before your call someone 'crazy', 'wacko', 'mad' or 'psycho'. These words may mean nothing to you, but to a person with mental illness it may seem to be degrading. You may inadvertently pull back a person from his road to recovery. Most of the people with mental illnesses recover from their condition fully without ever being hospitalized. Just as you would care for a person with cancer, a mentally ill person also needs to be cared for and handled with a bit of sensitivity. Hope the above paragraphs on what is mental illness has helped clear some of your doubts regarding this mental condition.
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