It’s a common stigma in our society to talk about mental health. Although a lot of people are now taking mental health quite seriously, still there are many that refuse to accept mental health disorder and their existence.
It’s pretty sad, but what can we really do about it? It’s a general mentality that needs to be fixed.
In this article today, I’m going to talk about six of the most common mental health disorders that you may suffer from at one point in life. Based on the stats and figures, the following disorders are becoming more and more common in today’s fast-paced life.
Depression
First and foremost, we need to accept the fact that depression is for real. It’s a silent killer that eventually takes your life, if left untreated. It is a severe mood disorder that can take a toll on your life, disturbing your routine as well as family and social life.
Symptoms
• Persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness
• Trouble remembering details and concentrating
• Body aches that won’t go away with painkillers
• Irritability and mood swings
• Loss of appetite or binge eating
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Treatment
The treatment of depression depends on the severity of the disease. Most of the time, antidepressants are prescribed along with cognitive behavioral therapy. In minor cases, therapy alone can be beneficial too.
Besides that, a lot of people take natural herbs and plants to treat depression; for example, medical marijuana. According to a study, certain cannabis strains can instantly improve the symptoms of depression. Thus, it’s worth a try. To know more about it, you can check out https://potcargo.com/.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder, GAD, is a long-term psychological illness that involves persistent anxiousness about numerous things, and it’s not limited to a single situation. People with generalized anxiety disorder stay anxious for a good part of the day and often feel emotionally exhausted because of that.
Symptoms
• Irregular heartbeat and sweating
• Trouble concentrating and staying focused
• Persistent feelings of worry
• Restlessness and mental exhaustion
• Digestive issues that won’t go away
• Shivering spells and muscle contractions
• Trouble sleeping or insomnia
Treatment
Even though generalized anxiety disorder is said to be more common in females than males, the treatment options remain the same. You may be recommended to take SSRIs, also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other nerve relaxants. To alleviate some of the symptoms of anxiety and other mental illnesses, like depression, you can take IV therapy from hydrateyouiv.com with added nutrients and medications that can help promote healthy brain function.
Apart from that, regular psychotherapy can also make a difference. If you need immediate relief from anxiety, you can try breathing exercises. All you need to do is slowly count till 10 while solely focusing on your breath and you’ll see how anxiousness will gradually leave your body.
Dementia
Dementia is a quite broad term. It’s a geriatric mental illness that involves a cognitive decline, memory impairment, forgetfulness, and more. Although the odds of having dementia are higher in older adults, it isn’t a standard part of aging.
According to an analysis report, more than 4.5 million adults, mostly over the age of 65, suffer from Alzheimer’s disease in the US. Alzheimer’s is a sub-type of dementia characterized by gradual memory loss.
Symptoms
• Memory amnesia and forgetfulness
• Difficult with abstract thinking, such as, handling the money
• Severe mood disruptions and disorientation
• Personality changes, including anxiousness and irritability
• Trouble starting and completing regular tasks
• Loss of interest in everyday life chores
Treatment
There are four stages of dementia, including mild cognitive impairment, mild dementia, moderate dementia, and severe dementia. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may suggest a treatment.
Even though there isn’t a proper treatment for dementia as it happens due to the death of brain cells, which is irreversible. There are a few medicines that can delay and reduce memory impairment. Tacrine, rivastigmine, galantamine, and donepezil are some of the good options.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, is a psychological disorder that causes repeated obsessions (sensations) or unwanted thoughts to do something compulsively. Contrary to the misconceptions, OCD isn’t about shaking a leg or biting nails.
OCD revolves around a compulsive habit, such as, washing the dishes over and over again or cleaning your hands repeatedly because of the fear of contamination. It is something that is beyond your control, you feel powerful when it comes to obsessive thoughts.
Symptoms
• Obsessive thoughts about something
• Trouble concentrating on anything other than the concerned one
• Feeling anxious when things don’t go in the planned order
• Persistent thoughts of contamination
• Ordering and symmetry
• Hypochondria, fear of having medical illnesses
• Violent or disturbing thought process
Treatment
It’s terrifying, but there’s no cure for obsessive compulsive disorder. However, with regular medication and therapy, you can control the symptoms of the illness and lead a smooth life.
Pharmaceutical drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can help control the repetitive thoughts by relaxing the mind. In severe cases, your physician may recommend an antidepressant in combination with a mood stabilizer.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly called PTSD, is a psychological issue triggered by a disturbing incident. It doesn’t matter if you witnessed the event or experienced it, you can still go through PTSD and it’s heart wrenching.
It’s a disorder that can affect both men and women. It isn’t about being sensitive to the environment. Trauma remains trauma, whether you’re sensitive or not, and the same goes for PTSD.
Symptoms
• Severe emotional distress and difficulty processing emotions
• Flashbacks or nightmares about the traumatic event
• Reliving the terrifying incident over and over with visions and hallucinations
• Obsessive, recurring thoughts about the fearful situation
• Constant anxiety, and in worst case, panic attacks
• Inability to recall the incident without an emotional reaction
Treatment
PTSD doesn’t really require a treatment as it can go away on its own. In case the problem persists for more than a month, you can consult a mental health expert. They’ll recommend you the treatment according to the severity of the situation.
The treatment of PTSD usually involves antidepressants and sleep-inducing medicines. They may also recommend psychotherapy as it can speed up the recovery. Once you start talking about the terrifying event without an emotional reaction, you’ll know that you’ve defeated the problem.
Final Thoughts
Going through a mental health issue is as normal as having a headache. It doesn’t make you crazy. Your brain needs rest as well, and such things are often an indication that your brain is tired.
With proper care and treatment, you can combat all your mental health issues. Believe in yourself, take notes of the psychological changes, and make sure to follow a balanced diet and health sleep routine. After all, prevention is better than cure.
