What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation

Mental Illness is just like any other disease and need immediate medical attention and treatment. All kinds of mental and behavioural disorders are widely prevalent in Indian population. Review of the situation of Psychiatric Disorders in India highlighted the “Gross neglect of Mental Disorders due to pervasive stigma and widespread misconceptions”. As a result, the health of the patient deteriorates making emotional and physical functionary difficult for him.

Dr. Vikas Singhal at Eye and Mind Centre is an alumnus of Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. He has always been of an opinion that Psychiatry as a medical speciality is not just an art of prescribing medicines but is an active involvement of a specialist to his patients through active listening. So he has been known to be not only very effective but also very compassionate with his patients that help his patients trust him and connect with him very well.

What is a mental illness?

A Mental Illness Is
A Mental Illness Is Not
An Illness Can Be Caused By

A medical condition disrupting a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning.

Imaginary. Mental illnesses are very real and very common.

Trauma. Sometimes traumatic events can play a role in triggering a mental illness.

Common. One in four people will develop a mental illness in their lifetime.

Something to “get over.” Mental illnesses cannot be willed away.

Chemical imbalance. Chemical or biochemical changes in the brain can be factors.

Treatable. Most mental illnesses can be treated effectively with medication, therapy, diet, exercise, and support. Recovery is possible.

A character flaw. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that do not define us.

Genetics. Some mental illnesses get passed along from one generation to the next.

Environment. Exposure to toxins, illnesses, drugs, or alcohol can affect the developing brain in utero.

Examples of signs and symptoms include:

  • Feeling sad or down
  • Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
  • Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
  • Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
  • Withdrawal from friends and activities
  • Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
  • Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
  • Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
  • Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
  • Problems with alcohol or drug use
  • Major changes in eating habits
  • Sex drive changes
  • Excessive anger, hostility or violence
  • Suicidal thinking

Sometimes symptoms of a mental health disorder appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains.

Common Conditions

Anxiety Disorders

A common group of mental illnesses (panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, phobias) that can often cause people to feel frightened, distressed, or uneasy.

 

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity
 Disorder (ADD/ADHD)

 

A condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Bipolar Disorder

 

An illness that typically includes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning that include mania and depression.

Depression

 

An illness that affects one’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, physical health, activity, and sleep patterns. Left untreated, it can lead to suicide.

Eating Disorders

 

There are three main types: Anorexia Nervosa (severe food restriction), Bulimia Nervosa (binging and purging), and Binge Eating (binging without purging).

Obsessive-Compulsive
 Disorder (OCD)

 

An anxiety disorder where the person experiences intrusive irrational thoughts that appear repeatedly in their mind.

Postpartum Depression

 

Each new mother is unique and it’s important to know that there is no one cause for postpartum depression. 1 in 7 mothers who give birth each year struggle with symptoms of depression.

Post-Traumatic Stress
 Disorder (PTSD)

 

Brought on by traumatic events, this disorder can be long-lasting and may include re-experiencing, avoidance, arousal, and numbing.

Schizophrenia

 

A mental illness where a person experiences psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), emotional flatness, and trouble with thinking processes.

 

When to see a doctor

If you have any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, see your mental health professional. Most mental illnesses don't improve on their own, and if untreated, a mental illness may get worse over time and cause serious problems.

Risk factors

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, including:

  • A history of mental illness in a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling
  • Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, a loved one's death or a divorce
  • An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes
  • Brain damage as a result of a serious injury (traumatic brain injury), such as a violent blow to the head
  • Traumatic experiences, such as military combat or assault
  • Use of alcohol or recreational drugs
  • A childhood history of abuse or neglect
  • Few friends or few healthy relationships
  • A previous mental illness

Mental illness is common. About 1 in 5 adults has a mental illness in any given year. Mental illness can begin at any age, from childhood through later adult years, but most cases begin earlier in life.

Complications

Mental illness is a leading cause of disability. Untreated mental illness can cause severe emotional, behavioral and physical health problems. Complications sometimes linked to mental illness include:

  • Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of life
  • Family conflicts
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Social isolation
  • Problems with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
  • Missed work or school, or other problems related to work or school
  • Legal and financial problems
  • Poverty and homelessness
  • Self-harm and harm to others, including suicide or homicide
  • Weakened immune system, so your body has a hard time resisting infections
  • Heart disease and other medical conditions

Prevention

There's no sure way to prevent mental illness. However, if you have a mental illness, taking steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and to boost low self-esteem may help keep your symptoms under control. Follow these steps:

  • Pay attention to warning signs. Work with your doctor or therapist to learn what might trigger your symptoms. Make a plan so that you know what to do if symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel. Consider involving family members or friends to watch for warning signs.
  • Get routine medical care. Don't neglect checkups or skip visits to your primary care provider, especially if you aren't feeling well. You may have a new health problem that needs to be treated, or you may be experiencing side effects of medication.
  • Get help when you need it. Mental health conditions can be harder to treat if you wait until symptoms get bad. Long-term maintenance treatment also may help prevent a relapse of symptoms.
  • Take good care of yourself. Sufficient sleep, healthy eating and regular physical activity are important. Try to maintain a regular schedule. Talk to your primary care provider if you have trouble sleeping or if you have questions about diet and physical activity.

No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.