Mental Illness

There are people whose physical illness includes physical brain damage, for example, a brain injury caused by a fall.  Then there is the person whose brain is not functioning in the same way a healthy brain works because of chemical imbalances. It may be difficult to imagine but mental illness is common. Statistics show that one in every five Canadians will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives. Many people fear mental illness because they do not understand it. There is a stigma attached to mental illness. Because of this stigma, many people hesitate to get help for a mental health problem. (Canadian Mental Health Association’s Web Site)Most mental illnesses can be effectively treated. Treatment methods may include one or more of the following: medication; therapies - such as cognitive therapy - which help patients learn to effectively change their thinking, feelings and behavior; counseling; community support services; and education.

Description
Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour associated with significant distress and impaired functioning.
Examples of specific mental illnesses include:

  • Schizophrenia
  • Mood disorders: major depression and bipolar disorder
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Personality disorders

Risk factors
Mental illness arises from a complex interaction of genetic, biological, personality and environmental factors. Specific risk factors include: family history of mental illness, age, sex, substance abuse, chronic diseases, family, workplace, life event stresses. Mental illnesses affect people of all ages, education levels, income levels and cultures.
Minimizing the Risks
Promoting mental health - good parenting, social support, meaningful employment and social roles, adequate income, physical activity, and an internal locus of control.
Early recognition of mental illness and appropriate response can minimize the impact of the illness.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary for each illness, however in all cases the symptoms interfere with effective daily functioning.
Facts and Figures
Twenty percent of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness during their lifetime.
One year prevalence of specific mental illnesses:

  • 4% major depression
  • 0.2 - 0.6 % bipolar disorder
  • 0.3% schizophrenia
  • 12% anxiety disorders
  •  

Hospitalizations for mental illnesses

  • nearly one-half of all general hospital admissions for one of the seven most common mental illnesses (listed above plus attempted suicide) involve individuals between the ages of 25 and 44 years.
  • the second highest hospitalization rates are among young people aged 15 to 24 years.

Suicide

  • 2% of all deaths
  • 24% of all deaths among those aged 15 - 24 years
  • 16% of all deaths among those aged 25 - 44 years

Understanding Depression

Major depressive disorder (depression) is not just a temporary mood, and it's not a sign of personal weakness. Depression is a serious medical condition with a variety of symptoms. Emotional symptoms can include sadness, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, restlessness, and trouble concentrating or making decisions. Physical symptoms can include fatigue, vague aches and pains, headaches, and changes in weight or sleep patterns. For some, depression can include thoughts of death or suicide.

What Causes Depression?

There's no simple explanation as to why people experience depression. It's a complex disease that may develop for a variety of reasons. It can affect anyone at any age, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or income level.
Some people become depressed after a major life change—the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a job, or a move. Even seemingly happy events, such as becoming a parent or getting married, can trigger depression. Or, even a smaller change can sometimes trigger depression. Some risk factors for depression include:

  • A family history of depression
  • Death or illness of a loved one
  • Stressful conflicts, such as fights with family members or disputes at work
  • Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
  • Major life events, such as moving, graduating from college, changing jobs, getting married or divorced, becoming a new parent, or retiring
  • Financial difficulties

It is important to seek help if you think you are depressed.
(Information on Depression web Site)
*** Treatments: There are natural and conventional medications or a combination of the two to help deal with depression. I am not going to suggest them here as I think that will deter the reader from pursuing other assistance such as counseling and/or medical help.

Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Worry and anxiety are natural. They help us prepare to deal with difficult circumstances, whether current or just anticipated. But people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) stay worried, fear the worst will happen, and experience spontaneous anxiety even when a stressful or threatening situation is not apparent. The worry may become so excessive and persistent that it can limit a person's daily activities.

What Causes GAD?

While the specific cause of GAD is unknown, doctors have identified a variety of biological and psychological factors. Research shows that GAD tends to run in families, but anxiety and worry can also be learned.

GAD Symptoms

GAD is diagnosed when a person worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least 6 months.
People with GAD can't control constant worry about everyday things. They can't relax and often have a hard time concentrating, falling asleep, or staying asleep.
Other symptoms you may experience include:

  • Excessive anxiety
  • Constant worry
  • Restlessness
  • Muscle tension and aches
  • Trembling or twitching

The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms you experience may cause distress or keep you from participating in things you once enjoyed.

GAD Treatment

GAD affects as many as 3% of American adults. About two thirds of patients with GAD are women, and one third are men. Treatment includes medication, specific types of psychotherapy, or both. The goal of treatment is to treat the anxiety symptoms you are experiencing and to help improve your functioning in life.
While medication will not cure GAD, it may help treat the symptoms. Before taking medication, ask your doctor:
It's also a good idea to touch base with your doctor about his or her overall approach to treatment. Agree on how he or she will be monitoring your progress. Find out if it's best to follow up in person or on the phone and how often you should do so.
Psychotherapy/counseling is essentially talk therapy—with a trained mental health professional, you discuss GAD and how best to treat the symptoms you are experiencing.

 

Suicide

Some people are scared of dealing with this issue because they don’t know how. One of the most important ways to deal with it is to be educated about it. Here are some points to keep in mind.

 

If You Are Thinking About Suicide

  • If you want to commit suicide because you are in such pain that you cannot foresee a future without pain then ask the question “have you become your pain?”
  • There are ways to deal with the pain, you are not just a lump of pain but are a person in pain
  • Ending your pain by killing yourself ends your life too
  • It ends the relationships with family and friends
  • They have to deal with just more than a death when you take your own life
  • They feel like the cause and keep asking themselves “what if I had…”
  • You may cure your pain but will bring even more pain upon those you love
  • If you cannot get out to a clinic or counselor you can still get help
  • Sometimes when we are that far down what helps us out is faith
  • You may  not be able to get on the phone and say that you are going to commit suicide but you need to get on the phone and ask for help
  • Grab deep inside and get a hold on that inner strength that will help you up
  • Realize that you are not alone

 

If You Think You Know Someone Who Is Thinking About Suicide

  • Some people think about this for a long period of time
  • If you know someone who doesn’t leave the house, interact with other people, doesn’t read or watch t.v, bath etc., take note, this is not normal behavior
  • A person thinking about suicide may be going through a grieving process and/or depression. Sometimes a person has gotten so low in depression that they are convinced that the people around them would be better off if they were dead
  • A person who talks about suicide and brings up the topic of other people killing themselves may be thinking about committing suicide. They are usually reaching out to you for help
  • Often when a person tries to share a concern about suicide family members and friends have gotten upset and denied it is an issue
  • If you ignore these signs and that person kills themselves you are going to have to deal with a lot of guilt. (You have nothing to be guilty about, they have made the choice)
  • Ask their permission to talk with someone in medical field, psychologist, etc
  • Tell the person you love him and want him here
  • Someone who has gotten that far down needs love and patience. Try to get them to pursue an alternative

 

What Do You Do When You Receive A Call From Someone Who Is Talking About Suicide?

  • The first common sense thing is not to hang up
  • Focus on what he is saying
  • This person is not crazy
  • He is not talking about something that he can’t do
  • The conversation may go on for some time
  • You may get frustrated because you may be offering good solutions and they are not listening to you
  • He doesn’t want you to offer solutions at this point, he wants you to listen, solutions can be offered later
  • One thing that you need to do is find out if he has a bottle of pills or a gun, make him promise to not use it till you can get help to him
  • They are hoping you have an alternative