All You Need To Know About Mental Disorders

Mental disorders are common and widespread, but most people do not fully understand what constitute such disorders or what do not. For instance, one survey has revealed that around 47% of the their participants associate mental illness with mental retardation, while the rest have other meanings. About 25% of the participants of this study assume that people suffering from mental illnesses are those who are likely to engage in violence. Clearly, there is no distinct meaning on what mental illness may be. This article gives a detail on what the experts in the field consider to be a mental disorder.

A mental disorder is an illness that disturbs your thoughts or behavior to the extent that it affects your ability to perform daily activities. This can be in the form of simple indecisiveness to being severe as dementia.

What causes mental disorders?

There are no specific or well-defined causes of mental disorders. However, one primary cause is believed to be stress. Stress, the inability to cope with particular situations or a series of events is one major way that one could develop mental disorder. Stress does not cause specific disorder but it’s usually a risk a factor in many disorders. Some scholars even term stress a mental disorder itself. In addition, mental disorders may also occur due to certain genetic factors that may be passed on in the family, traumatic events, imbalance of body biochemicals and substance abuse. Most times, mental disorders are caused by a combination of these factors.

What are the types of mental disorders?

There are myriad types of mental disorders. The most common ones include:

• Depression
• Anxiety and Panic Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Dementia
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia

What are the common symptoms associated with mental disorders?

It is essential for everyone to understand the signs and symptoms of mental disorders. Knowing these symptoms would help in recognizing that you are developing a mental disorder. You could also determine if a friend or relative is developing a mental disorder and advise them to seek medical attention accordingly. The following are some of the most common indicators that one may be suffering from a mental disorder:

• A continued feeling of sadness or uselessness for more than two weeks
• Never-ending worries or fears related to anything
• A sudden onset of intense anger or panic
• Unexplained body signs like continued headache, chronic restlessness, lack of energy, frequent flashbacks or nightmares, extreme weight loss or gain, excessive sleeping or complete insomnia, etc.

One of the most telling symptoms of mental disorder is avoiding friends and family. So, if anyone you know displays the above signs and symptoms, make it a point to consult a physician for further evaluation.

How are mental disorders diagnosed?

When you observe any of the sign mentioned or any abnormality at all, it is advisable to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Like many other disorders, early detection and diagnosing is very helpful in its treatment. Mostly, clinical diagnosis involves a thorough evaluation by your doctor. It starts with a physical examination, followed by some lab tests. A psychological evaluation is also carried out, in which a psychologist notes your detailed history and asks questions related to your problems, thoughts, and feelings. A questionnaire may also be given to you to extract more information about your illness. Some more diagnostic tests or scans may be required to conclude the diagnosis and identify the precise type of mental disorder.

How are mental disorders treated?

Treatment depends on the type of illness, its cause, and severity. In most cases, a combination of several forms of treatment is recommended for best results. It includes medications such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety, mood stabiliser, or antipsychotic drugs.

Also, psychotherapy may be prescribed by your doctor. This involves a discussion with a psychotherapist so that your problem is analysed properly, and suitable solutions are suggested.

In cases where medication or psychotherapy does not produce desired results, brain-stimulation treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy, deep brain stimulation, or transcranial magnetic stimulation may be given. In severe cases, your doctor may ask you to stay at the hospital for sometime. This would ensure a proper monitoring of your progress.

A WHO report says that India is the most depressed country in the world, with one out of five Indians suffering from a mental illness. Low socioeconomic status has been linked as a risk factor of mental illness. However, mental disorders are seen in well developed societies.

At MedcirclesGh, we believe that mental disorder is just any other disorder which can be prevented. We advise that if you see any unusual sign or symptom, you see your doctor immediately. We also believe that people with inherited mental disorder should be given the equal access and opportunity to basic needs.