Mental Health Disorders are a common issue among adolescents and adults, but the prevalence of these disorders is not always apparent. There are many types of Mental Health Disorders, and this post will outline some of the most common ones that often go undetected.
What is mental health and why individuals don’t discuss it?
Mental health is defined as a level of psychological well-being or an absence of psychological disorders. People have been avoiding the subject of mental health for many reasons. Some think it is a burden for the family, others find it embarrassing, and some think that talking about it will make it worse.
The following are the most common mental health diseases:
1. Depression
Depression is a very common mental health disorder in America, and it is the leading cause of disability in the United States. It is best known as a mood disorder; however, it can be linked with other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorders and substance abuse. According to the National Institute of Health, depression is considered one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in most countries around the world.
2. Anxiety
Anxiety is also known as generalized anxiety disorder is a common mental health problem among adolescents and adults. Excessive, unreasonable uneasiness and apprehension are joined with bodily symptoms to form this condition. There are three main types of anxiety:
A. Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety is when fear and discomfort about social situations prevent an individual from participating in activities that other people engage in. People may experience avoidance of social situations because it is hard to talk to others or because they are afraid that others might ridicule them for what they say or do wrong.
B. Phobias
People with agoraphobia are afraid of the outside world. They may avoid areas where they know there could be a panic attack. A panic attack is a sudden feeling of fear or extreme distress that occurs once an individual feels overwhelmed by their surroundings.
The main difference between social anxiety and phobias is that phobias involve fear of or avoidance of a specific object, place, or situation, but social anxiety is generalized and has no real reason for the fear or avoidance.
3. Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders are a group of disorders that include people who are abusing, dependent on, or addicted to drugs or alcohol.
3. Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders are a group of disorders that include people who are abusing, dependent on, or addicted to drugs or alcohol. People who have a substance use disorder might find that their life revolves around getting and using the substance.
4. Bipolar disorder (also called manic depression)
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels.
5. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder that causes altered thinking, suspiciousness, reduced social engagement, hallucinations, and delusions. People with schizophrenia have trouble holding a job or caring for themselves.
6. PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder when a person can’t stop thinking about a terrible event or feels stressed for no reason after the event has ended. A person may experience flashbacks of the event, nightmares about it, avoid things that remind them of it, and feel numb in response to things that used to make them happy.
7. Borderline personality disorder
A borderline personality disorder is a serious mental health problem that affects how you feel about yourself and others and how you handle your emotions. People with this condition often have unstable emotions, relationships, and behaviors.
The reasons for undiagnosed mental health disorders
1. Many of the symptoms of mental health disorders are difficult to recognize and verbalize.
2. People with mental disorders may not be ready to talk about their symptoms and go undiagnosed.
3. Mental health services are hard to access and available in a few areas of the country.
4. There is a stigma associate with mental disorders in America. Societal pressure can prevent someone from seeking help.
5. Some people may want to avoid discussing their symptoms and the stigma associated with them.
Here’s how to seek help
a. If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, ask for help.
b. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t keep it to yourself. Let others know how you feel and ask for help.
c. Use Mental Fitness App to track your mental health and mood.
d. If you are not sure what you are feeling, try using the Mood Tracker feature.
e. Don’t be afraid to ask others for their support.
f. No matter your situation, you are not alone, and it is never too late to start a conversation about your mental health.
The Bottom Line
Mental health is an important part of overall health. By understanding the importance of mental well-being, you can make the most out of life by taking care of yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually.
