What is mental health?
Mental health for life
Achieving mental health is about striking a balance in the social, physical, spiritual,
economic and mental aspects of our lives. Reaching a balance is a learning process and it
is ongoing. At times, we may tip the balance too much in one direction and have to find
our footing again. Our personal balance is highly individual, and our challenge is to stay
mentally healthy by finding and keeping that balance.
Mental health and mental illness run along a continuum. When our personal balance is off,
either repeatedly or for long periods, we may eventually find ourselves moving closer along
the continuum towards mental illness. While some people experience a sudden onset of
symptoms of a mental illness, many mental health problems develop gradually. For example,
you may hardly notice your anxiety turn to distress until, one day, you feel overwhelmed. To find out more about building healthy
self-esteem, creating positive relationships, coping with change, and learning to manage
stress, read the CMHA fact sheet:
Mental Health for Life.
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The Canadian Mental Health Association has 10 tips for mental health:
- Build a healthy self-esteem
- Receive as well as give
- Create positive parenting and family relationships
- Make friends who count
- Figure out your priorities
- Get involved
- Learn to manage stress effectively
- Cope with changes that affect you
- Deal with your emotions
- Have a spirituality to call your own
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From nurturing relationships with family and friends, to identifying and dealing with
situations that upset you—including stressful circumstances, such as a conflict at work,
or the ongoing juggling act of work and life—you can take steps to improve and maintain
your mental health throughout your life.
Mental illness affects everyone
Still, mental illness affects everyone sooner or later—one in five people will experience
a mental illness directly. Those of us who do not have a mental health problem ourselves,
will have a friend, colleague, or family member who is dealing with a mental health issue.
Mental illness is treatable
Mental illness describes a broad range of mental and emotional conditions. The type, intensity,
and duration of symptoms vary from person to person, but all mental illnesses are treatable.
Because of the stigma around mental illness, people are sometimes ashamed of their condition
and are reluctant to seek help. When people know that they will not be discriminated against or
harassed, they are much more likely to seek help. Not seeking professional help when we have a
broken leg is just about unimaginable; in the same way, we need to develop the same attitude
towards mental illness. Early treatment is important and increases the chances of a quick recovery.
Common mental illnesses:
The most common forms of mental illness are anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and schizophrenia.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most common group of mental illnesses. People with anxiety disorders become
distressed when faced with particular objects and situations, and tend to avoid circumstances that trigger
their anxiety. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder
are among the more common anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy and medication are typically used for successful treatment.
Depressive disorders
Depressive disorders, also known as affective disorders or mood disorders, are associated with extreme
highs and lows. They affect about 1 in 10 Canadians. Depression, the fastest-growing cause of long-term
disability in Canada, is the most common among this type of disorder, which includes bipolar disorder
(also known as manic depression), dysthymia, and seasonal affective disorder. More than 80% of people
with depressive disorders improve substantially with treatment, and in addition to medication and psychotherapy,
several specialized treatments for depressive illnesses have proven effective, including electro-convulsive
therapy (ECT).
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia affects approximately 1 in 100 Canadians, usually by the age of 25.
Symptoms include visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder, social isolation and withdrawal,
and flat or inappropriate moods. Researchers are working to determine whether schizophrenia is a single disorder
or a group of related illnesses. The primary treatment is anti-psychotic medication, and counseling services from
community agencies and hospitals also help people with schizophrenia to manage their symptoms and reintegrate
into the community.
Eating disorders, personality disorders, and organic brain disorders
Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and are most common
in men and women under the age of 30. Psychotherapy is most effective for eating disorders,
although medication may also be prescribed.
Personality disorders are difficult to diagnose and treat, but generally are associated
with irritable, hostile, fearful, demanding, or manipulative behaviour. Intensive
psychotherapy, sometimes with medication, is the primary treatment.
Organic brain disorders include Alzheimer’s disease, damage caused by strokes and accidents,
and AIDS dementia complex (in which brain cells are damaged by the HIV virus). Treatment for
these disorders usually consists of rehabilitation programs.
Getting help
Help is available for people with mental health problems. Start with your family doctor,
who can determine whether you require treatment. He or she can refer you to a psychologist
or psychiatrist, if necessary. There are also community support programs and rehabilitation
programs to help people with mental illnesses manage practical tasks, including
supports such
as job coaches and vocational support programs to help people with mental health problems get
back to work. For more information on mental health services available in your community,
contact your local Canadian Mental Health Association branch.
SOURCES:
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