What is mental health?
The WHO constitution states: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”Mental health includes the capability of coping with the usual stresses of life, working productively, and making a contribution to the community. A healthy mental state is essential at every stage of life, including childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
What are the causes of mental illness?
There is no single cause of mental illness. Constant stressful environments or triggers can lead to chronic mental illness. Below are some of the causes that can lead to mental illness.
- Family history of psychological illness
- Childhood trauma or abuse
- Biological factors: brain chemistry
- Unhealthy habits
- Stress
- Constant negative thoughts
Early Warning Signs of mental illness
- Changes in sleeping pattern
- Feeling numb
- Fatigue( low energy)
- Changes in eating pattern
- Hopeless feeling
- Mood swings
- Hearing voices
- Suicidal thoughts
- Difficulty in performing daily tasks
What is the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, describes the symptoms of different mental illnesses. This manual is used by doctors to decide which mental illness you have.
A questionnaire is provided to you for filling out, and the doctor assesses the answer based on the manual. There are specific scans and blood tests available to confirm the diagnosis.
Each type of mental illness has a specific treatment protocol. The treatments of mental illness include medicine, lifestyle modification, and psychological therapy.
Source:
https://screening.mhanational.org/content/what-causes-mental-illness/?layout=actions_ah_articles,light
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-illness