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In definition, mental health explains a sense of well-being. Having good mental health, means that a person has the capacity in which to live a practical and positive lifestyle. Having good mental health means that a person has the resilience to positively tackle the challenges life provides.
Mental health ‘problems' or Mental health ‘difficulties' are phrases that would be used to describe a person's reactions to certain events. These can consist of the following: painful, emotional losses such as the death of a family member; substance misuse such as abusing alcohol; stress such as unresolved work related problems; and any other significant occasions that can cause a person to experience great difficulties in coping. However, not all mental health 'difficulties' or 'problems' are caused by lifestyle changes, events, or traumas; some just occur without any identifiable cause.
To put this into some perspective, below is a table that represents some symptoms of the most common mental health 'difficulties' or illnesses, along with some common symptoms that a person can experience with the related condition:
To put this into some perspective, below is a table that represents some symptoms of the most common mental health 'difficulties' or illnesses, along with some common symptoms that a person can experience with the related condition:
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Behaviour is repetitive and compulsive, cause through obsessive thinking patterns
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Depression
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Low mood, unmotivated, tearfulness, increased sleeping patterns, social withdrawal, and self-neglect
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Mania
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Hyper mood, elated and excited thinking, irrational and relentless energy
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Anxiety
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Panic, fear, headaches, agitation, loss or gain in weight, illogical thinking
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Schizophrenia
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Auditory and visual hallucinations, illogical thinking, social withdrawal, anxiety
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Anorexia
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Fear of becoming fat, irrational self image, low self esteem, constant dieting, social withdrawal
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Psychosis
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Similar to schizophrenia with hallucinations, delusional thinking
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(If you have any concerns about mental health, please seek advice from a medical professional such as your family doctor).
One in six people within society will experience some of the symptoms outlined above at some point in their lifetime. When trauma or life stresses occur, it is common and possible that a person will temporarily experience any of the symptoms outlined above, or others not mentioned: this is natural. The severity of the symptoms will depend on many circumstances such as a person's ability to cope, or the physical ailments. For example, in cases of depression, a person can experience and endure great sadness, low mood, motivational issues, isolation, and irritability because of a death in the family. This is natural and to be expected, especially if this was a very close member of the family. It becomes a problem when the person has an inability to regain control of their life, or the symptoms are prolonged. This is when professional intervention and support is recommended. Symptoms are subjective and will differ from one person to another.
This information is an overview providing some details on mental health, along with some of the mental health conditions and symptoms that can be experienced. Further information on these conditions is discussed in more depth throughout this section.
Written on Monday, 25 August 2008 00:00 by Companion
