In this unkind world nowadays, people carry a lot more than they just say. Family issues, educational issues, professional issues, relationship issues and a lot more. Consequently, many fall prey to mental illnesses. Depression, anxiety, mood issues and other disorders have become a part of this generation. The happy kids from the 90s have somehow turned into the saddest generation by far. Why is that?. Is it because we are not educated much? is it because we are unaware of the happenings? do we not know about mental health?. That is not the case, the issue is, we are educated, we are aware of the mental health issues but we turn the blind eye towards it unless something serious happens.
Hundreds of students attempt suicide because they were over burdened but could not say it. Many men take their own lives because of the household pressures. Similarly girls are forced to end their lives because they were harassed but could not say a word to their families. The actual problem is that we fail to notice those who are having mental illnesses and are amongst us. Those who do not say it and silently take their lives. The problem is, we, as a society, never made it easier for them to explain the issues they experience. Because according to many, mental illnesses are not real!.
The best contribution we can make to this society is to know about the common mental illnesses that people experience in their everyday life. Try and learn about the symptoms so you can identify them the next time someone around you is suffering.
Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that affects about 2.6 percent of Americans each year. It is characterized by episodes of energetic, manic highs and extreme, sometimes depressive lows.
These can affect a person’s energy level and ability to think reasonably. Mood swings caused by bipolar disorder are much more severe than the small ups and downs most people experience on a daily basis.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) goes beyond regular everyday anxiety, like being nervous before a presentation. It causes a person to become extremely worried about many things, even when there’s little or no reason to worry.
Those with GAD may feel very nervous about getting through the day. They may think things won’t ever work in their favor. Sometimes worrying can keep people with GAD from accomplishing everyday tasks and chores. GAD affects about 3 percent of Americans every year.
Eating Disorder
Eating disorders is another issue that falls in the category of psychological conditions which causes unhealthy eating habits in a person. A person having an eating disorder might end up eating a lot of junk food, putting on weight and upsetting their body shape.
In cases when the eating disorder gets severe and is left untreated, it can also prove to be fatal. The symptoms of eating disorders include, starving, food binges, or purging behaviours like vomiting or over-exercising.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Another mental health issue includes something which is very commonly experienced, known as Persistent depressive disorder. It is a depression which gets chronic over the time. Another term used for this disease is dysthymia.
Persistent depression is not intense but can interfere in our daily life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
People who have been experiencing abuse or are survivors of trauma, can end up having a mental illness known as Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It happens in a result of extreme events, i.e war and national disasters, to verbal or physical abuse.
The symptoms that a person can experience includes flashbacks, and easily triggered responses that might reflect their past experiences.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety is another commonly experienced issues, it further has types and such as Social anxiety disorder. It is also known as social phobia, it causes extreme fear of social situations. People with social anxiety may become very nervous about being around other people that can make them feel like they’re being judged.
The Symptoms Of Mental Health Issues That We Ignore
Common signs of several mental illnesses may include:
- not eating much or overeating
- insomnia or sleeping a lot
- distancing yourself from others and favorite activities
- fatigue even after sleeping a lot
- numbness or lack of empathy
- experiencing body pains
- feeling hopeless, helpless or lost
- smoking, drinking, or using illicit drugs more than ever before
- feeling confusion, forgetfulness, irritability, anger, anxiety, sadness, or fright
- constantly fighting or arguing with friends and family
- having extreme mood swings that cause relationship problems
- having constant flashbacks or thoughts that you can’t get out of your head
- hearing voices in your head that you can’t stop
- having thoughts of hurting yourself or other people
- being unable to carry out day-to-day activities and chores
Easy Ways To Help Someone With A Mental Illness
1. Have Your Time With No Distraction
Listen to them without being non-judgemental and give them their space to talk openly and comfortably.
2. Let Them Open Up About Their Feelings
Let them be the one to lead the discussion at what they want to talk about. Do not pressurize them to discuss anything they aren’t ready to talk about. Talking undoubtedly takes a lot of trust and courage. You can be the first person they have been able to talk to about this.
3. Do Not Try To Give Them A Diagnosis
You are no medical expert or can not diagnose anything. While they are happy to talk and offer support, you aren’t a trained counsellor. Try not to assume about what is wrong or jump in too quickly with your own diagnosis or solutions.
4. Keep Open Ended Questions
Make them feel that you want to listen, explain “Why don’t you tell me how you are feeling?” rather than saying “I can see you are feeling very low”. Try to keep yourself neutral. Give the person time to answer and try not to grill them with too many questions.
5. Discuss Wellbeing
Exercising and having a healthy diet, also taking a break can help protect your mental health and sustain wellbeing. Talk about ways of de-stressing and ask if they find anything helpful.
6. Listen Carefully To What They Are Saying
Try to repeat the words that they have said back to them to ensure you have understood it. You do not always have to agree with what they are saying, but by making them feel that you understand how they feel, you are letting them know you respect their feelings.
7. The Importance Of Therapy
Make them understand that it would be a good gesture for their own self if they start seeing a psychiatrist. Talking to a therapist can solve majority of the mental illnesses in no time.
Online Consultations With A Therapist
Talking about mental health has always been difficult because once we decide to go to a therapist, we’re accompanied by family members which leaves us to no privacy with our therapists. Due to this reason, Marhampk introduced a service which enables you to talk to a Psychiatrist through your mobile phone either with a video or audio. This proved to be the best way for many who wanted to talk to a therapist and also wanted to retain the privacy in the comfort of their home. For more information about this service, visit marham.pk.
