Mental Illness is more common than you think. Approximately one in five Australian experience some type of mental illness in a given year. Unfortunately, many people don't seek help. The consequences of not getting treatment are significant. Serious mental illness costs Australian billion of dollars every year in lost income. Not only that, but mental illness also affects physical health. People with severe mental illness suffer from cardiovascular disease, bacterial and viral infections, obesity-related cancers, and many other diseases at a much higher rate.
Knowing about mental health disorders can raise your awareness and give you an idea of when to seek help. In this article, we'll shed light on some of the most common types of mental illness.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are by far the most common mental disorders in the Australia. More than 3.2 million adults in Australia have an anxiety disorder. Most people experience anxiety from time-to-time. It is a normal reaction to stress. Anxiety disorders are different however, they are an abnormal reaction to things that normally do not cause worry or fear. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:
● Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). With GAD, a person experiences excessive worry and persistent fear about a variety of different things. The ongoing tension and worry may cause chronic muscle tension, concentration and memory problems, and fatigue.
● Phobias. A phobia is an irrational fear to an ordinary object, situation or place. With a phobia, a person will experience an overwhelming sense of dread or panic when faced with the object or situation. The fear might be so severe that the person goes to great extremes to avoid the object that causes the phobia.
● Panic disorder. This mental illness involves recurrent panic attacks, which involve symptoms of shaking, heart palpitations, numbness, dizziness, and other unpleasant physical symptoms.
● Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This mental health disorder is characterized by intrusive, distressing thoughts and compulsive, repetitive actions intended to reduce the anxiety caused by these intrusive thoughts. OCD can significantly interfere with a person's school, work and relationships.
Treatment
Only 36 percent of people with an anxiety disorder seek treatment. This is unfortunate as these disorders can significantly impact a person's life. The good news is that there are a wide variety of very effective treatments available for anxiety disorders from psychotherapy to medications.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders refer to a class of mental illnesses that affect a person's mood. Everyone experiences changes in mood at times. But, mood disorders are more than that. They involve serious changes in mood that lead to disruptions in a person's work, school, and social life. Here are the most common mood disorders:
● Major depressive disorder: Major depressive disorder or depression involves significant sadness, fatigue, hopelessness, and sleep problems that last for two weeks or more.
● Bipolar disorder. This disorder causes dramatic shifts in a person's mood and energy levels. These changes can make it hard for a person with bipolar disorder to function normally. Sleep, appetite, and concentration are often impaired, as well.
● Seasonal affective disorder. Also known as SAD, this disorder is associated with changes in the seasons. It is triggered by the changing level of sunlight that occurs during the fall and winter. People with SAD may experience depression, sleep problems, and low energy during flare-ups.
Treatment
There are many different treatments available for mood disorders. The type of treatment will depend on the disorder and severity of symptoms. For depression, antidepressant medications are often used in combination with therapy. Mood stabilizers are used for bipolar disorder. These medications help stabilize moods and reduce impulsivity.
Light therapy is an effective type of treatment for seasonal affective disorder. Scientists believe that the disorder occurs because light affects serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that controls mood. It is believed that light therapy helps the brain produce more serotonin.
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