Mental health challenges are not just for people with troubled minds. It affects many people from all walks of life. They can be family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, and even celebrities. This stereotype, however, is unwarranted, as people are made up of many different parts and mental illness isn't the only thing that defines a person. Listed below are some of the symptoms of mental illness and the treatments available to treat it.
Symptoms of mental illness
The symptoms of mental illness vary from person to person. Some people experience depression, anxiety, or other serious mental illness, while others struggle with a more subtle condition. Symptoms can be quite varied, but they often involve changes in a person's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. A person suffering from mental illness may feel sad and depressed without a clear cause, or they may be irritable and lack energy. Some people experience unexplained changes in their mood and sex drive. Others may experience overwhelming guilt and even spells of confusion.
When evaluating a person's symptoms, mental health professionals use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) to determine the severity of a person's condition. This guide lists the typical symptoms of common mental illnesses, which are used to make diagnoses. People who exhibit a broad spectrum of these symptoms should consider seeking help immediately. Whether one symptom is mild or severe, they all may indicate a serious underlying mental illness.
Treatment options
In some cases, treatment options for mental illness may include various types of therapy. For example, arts and creative therapies can help you express your feelings and experiences, while other types of therapy may use a trained therapist. Alternative and complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, hypnosis, herbal remedies, and acupuncture, may also be beneficial. While not all of these methods work equally well for all people, they are still worth trying.
Support groups are vital for recovery. They can be led by a clinical psychologist or peer leaders, and they can help build a sense of camaraderie and trust among members. As a result, people with mental illnesses feel less isolated and alone. These groups can even be helpful for families. In addition, they can help individuals with a mental illness to get the health benefits they need. Further, these groups can provide access to mental health professionals who can help them apply for health benefits.
Impact on daily life
The impact of mental illness on daily life is profound. It can interfere with a person's ability to function in their daily life, keep a job, and communicate with others. For example, severe depression can prevent a person from getting dressed, which can cause them to lose their home. People suffering from anxiety and PTSD also have trouble communicating. It is difficult to get treatment for these problems, especially when they are associated with financial issues. The impact of mental illness on daily life is disproportionately high among people with serious mental disorders.
Many of these problems are treatable, but they require a comprehensive approach to prevent recurrence. Studies on mental illness have identified common domains for assessment: employment, health, leisure, living situation, relationships, and family life. The most commonly assessed domains, as well as the most common measures, include quality of life, control over life, and well-being. Most studies assess health, while four focus on quality of life.
Prevalence of mental illness in the U.S.
A number of large-scale surveys have been conducted to determine the prevalence of mental illness in the United States. Since the 1980s, standardized structured interviews have been used to assess self-reported symptoms of mental illness. These surveys include information from about 70,000 adults and adolescents. Among adults, the prevalence of any mental illness has been estimated at approximately one in five. Other factors that contribute to the prevalence of mental illness include age, gender, education level, and family history.
According to the NIMH, about one in five adults in the U.S. had a mental illness in 2017. This is a serious problem, which substantially limits a person's life. The burden of mental illnesses is most concentrated among those who suffer from disability caused by SMI. Prevalence rates were higher among females than males. These statistics should not be interpreted as a reflection of the prevalence of mental illness in the general population, however.
