Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a common medical problem. Many people avoid revealing their mental illness due to social stigma. People often hide their mental illness and suffer through it; which can lead to deterioration in their physical health as well.
There are many types of mental illness. Most common types are:
Most common mental illness worldwide is DEPRESSION. In common terms, it is a state of long-lasting low mood. We all, at some point of time, feel sad, moody or low. However, if it extends to weeks, months or years; it becomes a concerning issue. Depression is NOT usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in daily life. It is rather long lasting with moderate or severe intensity.
Generally, people misunderstand sadness with depression. According to American Psychiatric Association,
Death of loved ones, unemployment or ending of relationship are difficult experiences for a person to endure. It is normal for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response. Both, grief and depression have intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities. Yet, they are different:
Depression can be mainly caused due to genetics, personality or environmental factors. Depression can run in families. People who easily get conquered by stress or has low self-esteem and carry pessimistic attitude are more likely to be depressed. Continuous violence, physical or mental abuse, neglect, poverty or unemployment can lead to depression. Even children or teenagers suffer through depression. The main reason for that is unequal parental treatment of siblings. Research states that homosexual people (i.e. LGBT community) are more affected by depression.
Sleep issues on an almost daily basis, changes in appetite and weight, decrease in energy or fatigue almost every day, difficulty in concentration, decision making, clear thinking, poor functioning or recurrent thoughts of suicide or attempt to suicide and so on, are basic symptoms of depression.
As per World Health Organization (WHO),
Barriers to effective care include a lack of resources, lack of trained health-care providers, and social stigma associated with mental disorders. Another barrier to effective care is inaccurate assessment. In countries of all income levels, people who are depressed are often not correctly diagnosed, and others who do not have the disorder are too often misdiagnosed and prescribed antidepressants.
There are number of things people can do to reduce symptoms of depression. Regular exercise can help building positive feelings and thereby, mood can be improved. Consuming healthy diet and getting enough QUALITY sleep on regular basis can reduce symptoms of depression.
Even in 21st century, many countries have not abandoned the social stigmas related to depression, leading to suicide. People hesitate in discussing their mental problems. Many backward countries, still don’t value psychiatrists and psychologists. Whilst, depression can be cured mainly by their consultations. Those affected, further opt for suicide. Their surroundings make depression even worse.
If you or your friend is suffering from depression, then your first step should be consulting a psychiatrist or psychologist. There is NO SHAME in taking medication to manage your depression. People routinely take medication for physical ailments and a mental illness isn’t any different!
There are many types of mental illness. Most common types are:
- Clinical depression
- Anxiety disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
Most common mental illness worldwide is DEPRESSION. In common terms, it is a state of long-lasting low mood. We all, at some point of time, feel sad, moody or low. However, if it extends to weeks, months or years; it becomes a concerning issue. Depression is NOT usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in daily life. It is rather long lasting with moderate or severe intensity.
Generally, people misunderstand sadness with depression. According to American Psychiatric Association,
Death of loved ones, unemployment or ending of relationship are difficult experiences for a person to endure. It is normal for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response. Both, grief and depression have intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities. Yet, they are different:
- In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often intermixed with positive memories of the deceased. In major depression, mood and/or interest (pleasure) are decreased for most of two weeks.
- In grief, self-esteem is usually maintained. In major depression, feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common.
- For some people, the death of a loved one can bring on major depression. Losing a job or being a victim of a physical assault or a major disaster can lead to depression for some people.
Depression can be mainly caused due to genetics, personality or environmental factors. Depression can run in families. People who easily get conquered by stress or has low self-esteem and carry pessimistic attitude are more likely to be depressed. Continuous violence, physical or mental abuse, neglect, poverty or unemployment can lead to depression. Even children or teenagers suffer through depression. The main reason for that is unequal parental treatment of siblings. Research states that homosexual people (i.e. LGBT community) are more affected by depression.
Sleep issues on an almost daily basis, changes in appetite and weight, decrease in energy or fatigue almost every day, difficulty in concentration, decision making, clear thinking, poor functioning or recurrent thoughts of suicide or attempt to suicide and so on, are basic symptoms of depression.
As per World Health Organization (WHO),
- Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression
- More women are affected by depression than men
- Although there are known, effective treatments for depression, fewer than half of those affected in the world (in many countries, fewer than 10%) receive such treatments.
Barriers to effective care include a lack of resources, lack of trained health-care providers, and social stigma associated with mental disorders. Another barrier to effective care is inaccurate assessment. In countries of all income levels, people who are depressed are often not correctly diagnosed, and others who do not have the disorder are too often misdiagnosed and prescribed antidepressants.
There are number of things people can do to reduce symptoms of depression. Regular exercise can help building positive feelings and thereby, mood can be improved. Consuming healthy diet and getting enough QUALITY sleep on regular basis can reduce symptoms of depression.
Even in 21st century, many countries have not abandoned the social stigmas related to depression, leading to suicide. People hesitate in discussing their mental problems. Many backward countries, still don’t value psychiatrists and psychologists. Whilst, depression can be cured mainly by their consultations. Those affected, further opt for suicide. Their surroundings make depression even worse.
If you or your friend is suffering from depression, then your first step should be consulting a psychiatrist or psychologist. There is NO SHAME in taking medication to manage your depression. People routinely take medication for physical ailments and a mental illness isn’t any different!
