Mental Health Illnesses and Their Treatment

Mental illness, usually called “mental health disorders,” is a term used to describe various mental health diseases that impact a person’s mood, thinking, and behavior. Disorders such as clinical depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa, and behaviors that are hard to stop are all examples of mental illnesses.

Many people occasionally experience concerns about one’s mental health.

However, a mental health worry transforms into a mental disease when the signs and symptoms persist over time, generate consistent stress, and interfere with the individual’s capacity to perform.

A mental illness can make you feel unpleasant and cause problems in your day-to-day life, such as at school or work or in your relationships with others. In most instances, we can accomplish symptom management through a combination of pharmaceuticals and talk therapy (psychotherapy).

Diagnosis of mental health Illnesses

You might need to do any of the following tests to figure out what’s wrong and rule out any complications:

• • A checkup on your health.

Your doctor will try to rule out the possibility of any medical abnormalities being the source of your symptoms.

• • A psychological assessment is to be performed.

Your symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns are discussed at an appointment with

a mental health professional or physician.

We may ask you to fill out a questionnaire so that we can get some answers to these questions.

• • Lab testing.

One might be a test to see if you are drunk or high. Another might be an evaluation of how well your thyroid is working.

Identifying the type of mental health illnesses  that you have

Determining which mental disorder might be the source of a person’s symptoms might be challenging.

However, devoting the time and energy to getting an accurate diagnosis will help determine the most appropriate course of treatment. When you know more, you’ll be better able to talk to a mental health expert about what your symptoms might mean.

The American Psychiatric Association made the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) available in 2013. (APA), is a book that lists mental disorders and how common they are (APA) and defines the distinctive symptoms of each mental condition in great detail.

Experts in mental health and insurance companies use this manual to diagnose mental illnesses and figure out how much to pay for therapy for patients.

Different categories of mental disease

The following are the primary categories of mental illness:

• • Anxiety disorders.

Anxiety is a feeling defined by the anticipation of future danger or disaster and excessive concern about those potential outcomes. It can include conduct that is directed toward avoiding situations that cause anxiety.

Phobias, also commonly referred to as phobias and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and other anxiety disorders, fall under this umbrella (PAD).

• • Disorders of neurodevelopment

This class discusses many problems that usually appear when a child is young, often before they start elementary school.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is often written as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD for short). Learning difficulties are all examples of disabilities.

• • A variety of diseases, including schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis.

An extreme dissociation distinguishes psychotic disorders from the surrounding world.

This manifests in symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought and speech. Schizophrenia is the most prominent example; however, detachment from reality can occasionally be connected with other categories of diseases as well.

• • Bipolar disorder and other conditions connected to it

Those who suffer from a manic-depressive disorder experience cycles of mania (in which they are too active, energetic, and excited) and depression. A manic-depressive disorder is marked by alternating mania and a sad attitude (periods of excessive activity, energy, and excitement).

• • Mood disorders, in particular depression.

These conditions impact how you feel emotionally, such as the degree to which you are happy or sad, and can hinder your regular functioning.

Examples of such diseases include major depression and PMDD in women.

• • Obsessive-compulsive disorder and other conditions related to it

Recurring thoughts and behaviors characterize these mental illnesses, such as preoccupations or obsessions.

Such conditions include OCD, hoarding, and hair-pulling (trichotillomania).

• • Disorders that are caused by trauma and other stressors

These are conditions known as change disorders, which occur when a person has difficulty coping with stressful life events, either during or after.

For instance, it’s important to note that PTSD and ASD exist.

• • Disorders characterized by dissociation.

There are two types of dissociative disorders: DID and DA.

These are just two examples of a wide range of mental health issues that can make people feel they no longer know who they are.

• • Physical symptoms and diseases that are related to them.

If a person has one of these conditions, they could have physical symptoms that cause them a lot of mental pain and make it hard for them to function.

There may or may not be another medical illness recognized connected with these symptoms; however, the response to the symptoms is not normal.

The conditions under this category are factitious disorder, PTSD and other forms of bodily distress.

• • Problems with eating and feeding themselves.

Anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorders are two examples of eating disorders in this category.

Both conditions hurt a person’s overall nutrition and health.

• • Elimination disorders.

The involuntary or intentional passage of urine or faces characterizes these conditions at the wrong time or place. Enuresis, also known as wetting the bed, is one example.

• • Sleep-wake disorders.

Sleep problems, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome, are examples of conditions that are significant enough to require the help of a qualified medical practitioner.

• • Sexual problems and issues

These conditions include premature ejaculation, female orgasmic dysfunction, and abnormalities of the sexual response.

• • Gender dysphoria.

This means the anxiety someone feels when they say out loud that they want to be a different gender.

• • Problems with disruptive behavior and impulse control.

Some of these illnesses, like kleptomania and intermittent explosive disorder, cause people to have trouble controlling their emotions and actions.

• • Disorders that are correlated with substance use and addiction

These issues include those that arise from using an excessive amount of coffee, nicotine, alcohol, and other substances. It also had disorders related to gambling in this category.

• • Neurocognitive diseases.

Neurocognitive diseases are conditions that impact a person’s thinking and reasoning abilities.

Delirium and other neurocognitive disorders are examples of gained cognitive problems instead of developing mental issues.

Conditions or diseases like Alzheimer’s disease or traumatic brain damage can be the root of these cognitive issues.

• • Disorders related to paraphilia

Sexual interest that results in emotional suffering or impairment includes a sexual attraction that leads to the threat or commission of a crime against another individual. Sexual fetishism, voyeurism, and pedophilia are all examples of such disorders.

• • Disorders of the personality

A pattern of consistent harmful conduct and emotional instability that persists over time and creates difficulties in one’s life and relationships is considered a personality disorder.

Some examples are personality disorders such as borderline, antisocial, and narcissistic.

• • Other mental problems

This category includes mental disorders that are not fully compliant with the criteria for any disorders above or that result from other medical conditions.

Treatment of mental health illness

The mental illness, severity, and therapy approach that seems best for you will determine your treatment. The most effective treatment is often a combination of several methods.

Treatment from your health care provider can be sufficient for you if you have a relatively mild form of mental illness and your symptoms are under control. However, it is frequently necessary to take a team approach to satisfy all your mental, physical, and social requirements. This is of utmost significance when dealing with severe mental diseases like schizophrenia.

Your medical staff, in this case, your therapy team, could comprise members such as

• • A primary care physician
  • · One who works as a nurse practitioner
  • • A medical assistant to a physician
  • • The diagnosis and treatment of mental illness is the primary focus of the field of medicine known as psychiatry, which psychiatrists practice.
  • Psychotherapists, such as a psychologist or certified counsellors,
  • A pharmacist

A social worker

Members of the patient’s family

Medications for mental health illnesses 

Psychiatric drugs aren’t a cure for mental illness, but they typically make a significant difference in managing symptoms.

Other forms of treatment, such as psychotherapy, can benefit from using psychiatric medicines by helping boost their efficacy.

Your specific circumstances and how your body reacts to the drug will determine which medications most benefit you.

Antidepressants are the category of psychiatric drugs prescribed to patients at a higher rate than any other type.

Someone commonly prescribed antidepressants for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and occasionally other illnesses.

They have the potential to ease symptoms such as feelings of melancholy and hopelessness, as well as fatigue, difficulties concentrating, and a loss of interest in activities.

Antidepressants do not cause dependence or addiction and do not have that potential.

• • Medications to treat anxiety

Patients with anxiety disorders, such as GAD or panic disorder, are the ones who typically benefit from these drugs.

To ease their symptoms. There is evidence that they can help ease agitation and sleeplessness.

Something frequently prescribed antidepressants that also act on anxiety as long-term treatments for anxiety disorders.

Rapid-acting anti-anxiety medicines can help in the short term, but they can also make you dependent on them, so it’s best only to use them for a short time.

• • Medications that are used to stabilize mood

The most common use for mood stabilizers is in treating bipolar disorders, which are mental conditions characterized by alternating bouts of mania and depression.

When treating depression, we sometimes use mood stabilizers with antidepressants to achieve optimal results.

• • Medications used to treat psychosis.

We often prescribe antipsychotic medication to patients suffering from psychotic diseases like schizophrenia.

Antipsychotic drugs are also sometimes used to treat bipolar illnesses, and we sometimes combine them with antidepressants to treat depression.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, frequently called “talk therapy,” entails conversing with a mental health professional about your ailment and its associated difficulties.

While participating in psychotherapy, you will gain insight into your condition and your moods, feelings, ideas, and behaviors.

You can deal with and control stress with the right insights and information.

There are many styles of psychotherapy, and each one takes a slightly different approach to enhancing a person’s mental health. In most instances, someone can effectively finish psychotherapy in a few months; however, treatment over a more extended period may be required in certain circumstances. Interaction can happen between strangers, in a group, or even amongst members of the same family.

When looking for a therapist, find someone with whom you are at ease and with whom you have faith that they can truly hear and comprehend what you have to say.

Besides this, your therapist must understand the life experiences contributing to forming who you are and how you interact with the world.

Treatments  for  mental health illnesses  involving stimulation of the brain

Depression and other forms of mental illness may occasionally be treated with procedures that include brain stimulation.

Someone typically reserves them for circumstances in which drugs and psychotherapy have been unsuccessful in treating the condition.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Repeated) (TMSR), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and vague nerve stimulation (VNS) are some examples of treatments that fall under this category.

Be sure that you have a complete understanding of all the potential drawbacks and advantages of any treatment that is offered to you.

Treatment facilities in hospitals and residential settings

Sometimes people with mental illnesses develop symptoms that are so severe that they require treatment in a psychiatric institution. This is typically the course of action to take when you cannot care for yourself properly or when there is an urgent risk of injuring yourself or another person.

There are various treatment options available, such as inpatient care that is provided around the clock, hospitalization of any kind, whether for the day or overnight, or a residential treatment facility,

Which provides patients with a temporary and supportive place to live. Intensive outpatient treatment is yet another approach that may be considered.

Treatment for substance abuse and dependency

Issues related to substance abuse frequently arise concurrently with mental illness.

It frequently causes treatment to fail and increases the symptoms of mental illness.

You are going to need treatment if you cannot quit taking drugs or alcohol on your own.

Discuss the treatments with your attending physician.

Taking an active role in your medical care

Evaluation of your symptoms and their intensity by your primary care physician or a mental health specialist can aid in determining the most appropriate treatment for you.

As well as your personal preferences, the side effects of any medications you are taking, and any other relevant factors. If you have a severe mental illness, a physician or a close family member may need to direct your treatment until you are well enough to participate in the decision-making.

Conclusion

Psychotherapy is a form of talking treatment for mental disease that a qualified expert administers in the mental health field. Psychotherapy aims to enhance an individual’s well-being by exploring their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

The most successful strategy for facilitating recovery is the combination of psychotherapy and medicines.

 

Reference

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
  • Website: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  • This reputable organization provides extensive information on various mental health illnesses, their symptoms, treatment options, and research advancements.
• World Health Organization (WHO):
  • Website: https://www.who.int/mental_health/en/
  • WHO offers valuable resources on global mental health, including information on mental health disorders, policies, and strategies for improving mental health care.