What is Metal Illness 2

Mental illness it’s not just one illness. It is usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. There are many different types of mental disorders.

It is a common health condition which affects the thinking faculty, mood, actions and behavior of humans especially in these recent times. However, it’s effects could be painful or distressing but with the right treatments they can be subdued depending on whichever type of mental illness diagnosed on a person. It’s treatments could be psychological which could involve one visiting a therapist or changing something’s in one’s life or it could involve specific medications.

However, mental disorder has been on the rise in this recent times. To know if one has mental illness, there are certain signs or symptoms which one could exhibit such as long lasting sadness, irritation, switch in moods, anxiety, fear, worry, isolation, dramatic displays in activities, restlessness and many more. 

According to WHO In 2019, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common (1). In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Initial estimates show a 26% and 28% increase respectively for anxiety and major depressive disorders in just one year (2). While effective prevention and treatment options exist, most people with mental disorders do not have access to effective care. Many people also experience stigma, discrimination and violations of human rights.

Also according to WHO there’s about 1 billion people living with mental disorders and in low-income countries, more than 75% of people with  disorders do not receive treatments. It is also noted that every year, close to 3 million people die due to substance abuse.  Every 40 seconds, a person dies by suicide. About 50% of mental health disorders start by the age of 14.

Some common mental illness include the following:
• Clinical depression.
• Anxiety disorder.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Dementia.
• Hyperactivity disorder.
• Schizophrenia.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder.
• Autism.
• Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD).

It is estimated that over 160 million people need humanitarian assistance because of conflicts, natural disasters, and other emergencies. It is also believed that the rates of mental disorders can double during such crises. 1 in 5 people affected by conflict is estimated to have a mental health condition.

Today we have more people recognizing and addressing their mental disorders. Some visit therapists, some try changes in activities and other panacea to have a better health.
As humans it is advisable we pay more attention to our mental health in order to have a better health. It’s just like an icing on a cake. When you’re mentally okay, you become more active in whatever you doing.  Next article we be discussing more on the common mental illness humans pass through on a daily bases. 

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