What are mental health problems?
Mostly mental health problems are explained using common words that are in day by day use for example, ‘depression’ or ‘anxiety’. Form these we can makes easier to understand the problems.but can also mean people underestimate how serious they can be
Mental ill health feels just as bad, or worse, than any other illness – only you cannot see it.
There is also a lot of controversy about the way mental health problems are diagnosed, what causes them, and which treatments are most effective.
Mostly mental health problems are explained using common words that are in day by day use for example, ‘depression’ or ‘anxiety’. Form these we can makes easier to understand the problems.but can also mean people underestimate how serious they can be
Mental ill health feels just as bad, or worse, than any other illness – only you cannot see it.
There is also a lot of controversy about the way mental health problems are diagnosed, what causes them, and which treatments are most effective.
What are the most common mental health problems?
Some of the most commonly diagnosed forms of mental health problem are described below.
1. Common diagnoses
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Personality disorders
2. Common behaviors
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
- Panic attacks
What causes mental health problems?
There are many opinions about what causes mental health problems. This is part of a wider debate about whether personality is shaped by life experiences, or determined by genes. The following are some of the factors that may play a role in the development of mental health problems.
- Difficult family background
- Stressful life events
- Biochemistry
- Genes
- Physical health problems
- Social problems
How are they diagnosed?
In order to make a diagnosis, psychiatrists (mental health doctors) look for groupings of certain symptoms which have been present for a defined period of time; for example, to diagnose depression they look for symptoms such as low mood and a lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities for a period of more than two weeks.
What treatments are available?
The two most common forms of treatment offered though the NHS are talking treatments and medication. Treatments aim to relieve and help you cope with distressing symptoms.
Medication
The most common type of treatment given by GPs and psychiatrists is prescription medication. These drugs don’t ‘cure’ mental health problems, but aim to ease the most distressing symptoms.
Talking treatments
Talking (psychological) treatments can help you to overcome emotional difficulties and free yourself from self-destructive ways of feeling, thinking and behaving.
Hospital treatment
Hospital in-patient facilities exist for people with severe mental health problems, or people who are experiencing a crisis. The majority of hospital admissions are voluntary, but if you are assessed and judged to be at risk of harming yourself or others you can be detained under a section of the Mental Health Act.
Read more about Mental Health Problems