What is mental illness and mental health problem ?

 What is Mental Illness ?    

Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of . It is a medical problem, just like heart disease or diabetes.

Mental illness are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behaviour. Mental illness are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social , work or family activities.

Mental illness is treatable. The vast majority of individuals with mental illness continue to function in their daily lives.          

About Mental Health 

                                                                                                                                               

Mental Health involves effective functioning in daily activities resulting in 

• Productive activities (work,  school , caregiving) 
• Healthy relationships 
• Ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity 

 Mental Illness refers collectively to all diagnosable mental disorders-health conditions involving

• Significant changes in thinking , emotion and/or behaviour
• Distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities 

Mental health is the foundation for emotions, thinking , communication , learning , resilience and self-esteem. Mental health is also key to relationships, personal and emotional well-being and contributing to community or society .

Many people who have a mental illness do not want to talk about it. But mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of ! It is a medical condition , just like heart disease or diabetes . And mental health conditions are treatable . We are continually  expanding our understanding of how the human brain works , and treatments are available to help people successfully manage mental health conditions.

Mental illness take many forms. Some are mild and only interfere in limited ways with daily life , such as certain phobias. Other mental health conditions are so serve that a person may need care in a hospital.

  

Symptoms 

Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can effect emotions, thoughts and behaviours .

• Feeling sad or down 
• Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate 
• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows 
• Withdrawal from friends and activities 
• Major changes in eating habits 
• Problems with alcohol or drug use 
• Excessive anger, hostility or violence
• Suicidal thinking
• Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people 
• Excessive fears or worries , or extreme feelings of guilt 

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

Risk factors for mental health conditions 

Everyone has some risk of developing a mental health disorder , no matter their age , sex , income , or ethnicity. 

Social and financial circumstances, biological factors , and lifestyle choices can all shape a person's mental health . A large proportion of people with a mental health disorder have more than one condition at a time .

It is important to note that good mental health depends on a delicate balance of factors and that  several elements of life and the world at large can work together to contribute to disorders .

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

The effects of mental illness can be temporary or long lasting. You also can have more than one mental health disorder at the same time . For  example , you have depression and a substance use disorder.