Overcoming Mental Disorders
Julian wrote:
When you think of the word "mental disorders" negative images may come to mind. You may think of the disheveled looking person at the end of the bus talking wildly to them self. Or the homeless person on the sidewalk looking blankly at nothing incoherently mumbling. Or maybe you picture a crazy person in a straight jacket in the corner of a padded room in an asylum. These images don't tell the complete truth of mental health disorders. An estimated 26 million Americans 18 and older suffer from a diagnosed mental disorder. That's one in four Americans. Someone you know may have a mental illness.
How do you know if you or someone you know has a mental disorder? The symptom of mental illness vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some general systems that may be a red flag for a mental disorder may include confused thinking, extremely high and low moods, delusions or hallucinations, inability to cope with daily problems, and social withdrawal. We've all displayed some of these symptoms at one point in our lives, but that doesn't mean you've had a mental illness. The only way to find out for sure if you have a mental illness is to get a mental health diagnosis from a mental health professional.
The two main forms of treatment for mental illnesses are psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is an interpersonal form of mental health treatment employed by a licensed mental health professional. It may involve counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychoanalysis to treat the mental disorders symptoms. If someone is given a mental disorder diagnosis then they may be treated with psychiatric medication. Psychiatric medication is widely used to treat mental disorders. Some might argue that they are too widely prescribed. There are several main groups of psychiatric medication. Antidepressants are used for treatment of clinical depression as well as anxiety disorders. Mood stabilizers are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It mainly targets the mania portion of bipolar disorder. Anti-psychotics are used for treating hallucinating inducing disorders such as schizophrenia.
Millions of people are diagnosed with mental illnesses every year. Just because someone has been diagnosed with a mental disorder doesn't mean that they can't recover fully and lead a fulfilling and productive life in society. If diagnosed early and treated correctly mental disorders can be overcome. Mental disabilities may drive some people to be disabled, but many other people are able to live full and productive lives. In fact, the numbers are in your favor because 8 in 10 people suffering from mental illness return to their normal lives if they received proper treatment.
Member Comments
Kelsey wrote:
My brother was diagnosed with a mental disorder years ago. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and luckily it got diagnosed early. In addition to mental health treatment having a supportive family went a long way in putting him on the right path to recovery.
Vernon wrote:
Depression is a common mental illness that is commonly ignored. Some people may just think that they're sad and that they just need to cheer up. People need to realize that depression is a mental illness and its nothing to be ashamed about.