Friday, May 13, 2016

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH





1 out of 4 of us live with a mental illness and every 40 seconds someone commits suicide in the world

                                    
Do you know anyone with any of these conditions?
Autism
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Anxiety
Eating Disorder
PTSD
Schizophrenia
What is the most common mental health disorder? Anxiety Disorders

What are some types of anxiety disorders?
·         Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD, phobias, PTSD, and eating disorders

Symptoms of a Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
·         Excessive worry for months
·         Restless or “wound-up”
·         Easily fatigued
·         Difficulty concentrating
·         Difficulty sleeping (including going to sleep, staying asleep, or restless sleep)
·         Difficulty controlling your worry
·         Tense muscles
·         Irritable


http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/infographic-life-anxiety

What differentiates “normal” stress from an anxiety disorder?
We might all feel nervous before an exam, an interview, or a big decision, but in someone who has an anxiety disorder, this feeling is more than just temporary. They cannot shake the feeling away, and this can worsen over time, ultimately interfering with functioning in daily activities, relationships, school, and work.


Know that you are NOT ALONE if you experience these symptoms. Celebrities such as Emma Stone, Elton John, and Amanda Seyfried have also been diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

To help screen for stress, take this quick questionnaire! http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/stress-screener

Treatment:
If you think a friend or a loved one is suffering from anxiety disorder or any mental health disorders, there is help available.

·         Psychotherapy: also called “talk therapy” can include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps teach a person different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situation that produce anxiety or fear
·         Medications: can relieve symptoms but cannot cure the anxiety disorder. Please reach out to your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist for more information
·         Support groups and stress-management techniques are often helpful

Click here for recovery stories of inspiration! https://bbrfoundation.org/stories-of-recovery

References:
https://bbrfoundation.org
http://gulfnews.com/guides/health/5-most-common-mental-health-disorders-1.1825298
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/index.shtml

Written by:
Tina Hu
Drexel University College of Medicine
Tyh27@drexel.edu
May 2016



2 comments:



  1. so it is our responsibility to understand what mental illness is and what can be done about it.
    People need to understand that mental illness need not be a barrier to a better quality of life and that help is available and that most people with a mental health problem can regain full control over their lives if they get the support they need.
    We can see more: anxiety mental health awareness

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  2. Do you know that there is a direct connection between stress and mental health?
    Researchers have yet to determine if depression causes anxiety or anxiety causes depression, but you can be sure the two are interlinked.
    For more visit: anxiety mental health awareness

    ReplyDelete