Mental health problems cover a wide swath of experiences. There are mental health problems, which, in themselves, are quite mild, while others are far more severe, affecting the person’s ability to cope with his daily affairs. A few of the more common problems are depression, eating-disorders, bipolar disorder, stress and anxiety.
Studies suggest than one in four people will have, at one time or another in their lives, experienced some sort of mental health problem. For one in 50 of the population, the problem is so extreme that it affects their ability to have normal relationships or career.
What are the signs of a mental health problem?
The signs are not always easy to spot, and they are different from one person to the next. Most mental health problems first appear as moderate depression or anxiety. The person who is feeling depressed and anxious may attempt to hide it from others for fear of what they may think. In many cases, the pending signs of health problems are more obvious to others than they are to the sufferer.
Some early signs which are most common are:
- Losing interest in what were pleasant activities
- Poor work performance
- Self-harming acts
- Sleep problems
- Isolation, less socializing
These are only a few of the early-warning signs, there are many others. Some signs are minor and pass quickly; however, if they get severe or continue for an extended period of time, there may be a serious problem with the individual’s mental state.
The normal question, “Am I going crazy?”
Experiencing a mental health problem can create fear and be very upsetting, this is only natural. Problems of this nature can happen to anyone and can happen at any time. For most, it is a passing problem.
When a person finds himself stressed or depressed it is easy to begin doubting your own sanity and become afraid that you are going mad. There are fears of being locked in an institution or becoming a danger to others.
Many of these fears are being reinforced by the way people who are experiencing mental trauma are portrayed in the press and on TV. These fears will stop you from talking openly about your issues, which in turn can increase the stress and sense of isolation.
Do mental health problems make a person a danger to others?
This is a misplaced thought; there is no evidence that links mental health and violent behavior towards others. This idea is reinforced by inaccurate reports from people who suffer from schizophrenia. There is very little evidence of violent acts being committed by people in mental distress, the evidence points to self-harm, although most harm no one.
Mental health and chemical dependency care for adults and seniors are the areas of excellence that the professionals at Mayhill Hospital work in. They have a wide range of services and programs to treat these and other mental health issues.
