KNOW ABOUT MENTAL HEALTHKNOW ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

What’s Mental HealthWhat’s Mental Health

What is Mental Health? It is merely the absence of mental illness? What is Mental Health? It is merely the absence of mental illness? No, if not, what exactly is mental health? it is a sense of well being No, if not, what exactly is mental health? it is a sense of well being an individual feel from every sphere of life .it is a condition of an individual feel from every sphere of life .it is a condition of physical, mental, social and spiritual well being.physical, mental, social and spiritual well being.

It is the ability to create a harmonious life to the self and the It is the ability to create a harmonious life to the self and the environment.environment.

A mentally healthy person is always well adjusted and is not at A mentally healthy person is always well adjusted and is not at war with himself. He has got strong self esteem, has got good war with himself. He has got strong self esteem, has got good control over his behavior, is able to manage stress, has got self-control over his behavior, is able to manage stress, has got self-identity and is productive.identity and is productive.

Living in a free environment will pave the way for mentally Living in a free environment will pave the way for mentally healthier and happier life. In general, mental health can be healthier and happier life. In general, mental health can be achieved in many ways, like individual treatment, treatment of achieved in many ways, like individual treatment, treatment of families, education programmes and rehabilitation. Thus, healthy families, education programmes and rehabilitation. Thus, healthy social surroundings is the need of the hour to boost the positive social surroundings is the need of the hour to boost the positive mental health.mental health.

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESSMENTAL ILLNESS

1.1. Loss of appetite and refusal of foodLoss of appetite and refusal of food: reduce eating or not eating at : reduce eating or not eating at all due depression, not feeling hungry or too busy to find time to all due depression, not feeling hungry or too busy to find time to eat.eat.

2.2. Sleep disturbanceSleep disturbance : difficult to get to sleep, wakes up early in the : difficult to get to sleep, wakes up early in the morning and unable to go back to sleep.morning and unable to go back to sleep.

3.3. AmotivationAmotivation: needs to be motivated for each and every thing.: needs to be motivated for each and every thing.

4.4. AsocializationAsocialization: withdraws from interacting with people, gathering : withdraws from interacting with people, gathering etc.etc.

5.5. AnxietyAnxiety: always has a vague fear of something or the other.: always has a vague fear of something or the other.

6.6. IrritabilityIrritability: pestering people always or gets angry very fast with : pestering people always or gets angry very fast with others.others.

77 RestlessnessRestlessness : unable to concentrate in a particular work, keeps : unable to concentrate in a particular work, keeps pacing and unable to sit in a place without constantly changing pacing and unable to sit in a place without constantly changing position or moving around.position or moving around.

88 Irrelevant TalkingIrrelevant Talking: gives inappropriate answers to the question : gives inappropriate answers to the question asked.asked.

99 Poor personal appearancePoor personal appearance: appearance neglected ,looks shabby , : appearance neglected ,looks shabby , unwilling to shave, take bath and change their clothes ,dressing with unwilling to shave, take bath and change their clothes ,dressing with colorful but odd dresses.colorful but odd dresses.

1010 AggressionAggression: verbal and physical assaultiveness is seen.: verbal and physical assaultiveness is seen.

1111 Absconding TendenciesAbsconding Tendencies: running away from home without any : running away from home without any reason and may or may not come back.reason and may or may not come back.

1212 Wandering TendencyWandering Tendency: roaming around without any purpose.: roaming around without any purpose.

1313 MutismMutism: suddenly stops speaking for a period of time. Acts : suddenly stops speaking for a period of time. Acts as if he is dumb.as if he is dumb.

1414 No Connectivivity Of SpeechNo Connectivivity Of Speech: no relation between sentences : no relation between sentences spoken.spoken.

1515 Loss Of MemoryLoss Of Memory : not able to remember or recall events : not able to remember or recall events which has happened for over a period or events occurred a which has happened for over a period or events occurred a minute or an hour before.minute or an hour before.

1616 Repetition Of Words/ActionsRepetition Of Words/Actions: constantly repeats the words or : constantly repeats the words or carries on doing the same action for a long time.carries on doing the same action for a long time.

1717 Destructive NatureDestructive Nature: the person becomes destructive to self, : the person becomes destructive to self, others and to the surroundings.others and to the surroundings.

1818 Lack Of Interest In Work, Hobbies And SurroundingsLack Of Interest In Work, Hobbies And Surroundings: decline : decline interest in one’s work and other activities sometimes interest in one’s work and other activities sometimes becomes so dull and lazy so that they refuse to get up from becomes so dull and lazy so that they refuse to get up from their bedtheir bed..

1919 Extreme HappinessExtreme Happiness: over happiness without any reason and : over happiness without any reason and increased activities.increased activities.

2020 Extreme SadnessExtreme Sadness: Extremely sad without any specific reason.: Extremely sad without any specific reason.2121 DisorientationDisorientation: not able to know the time and place properly or fail to : not able to know the time and place properly or fail to

recognize a known person.recognize a known person.2222 ConfusionConfusion: may find difficulty to express himself or unable to : may find difficulty to express himself or unable to

recognize surroundings.recognize surroundings.2323 False BeliefFalse Belief: belief like persons are trying to harass him ,kill him and : belief like persons are trying to harass him ,kill him and

also believing that he is very rich and has supernatural powers, also believing that he is very rich and has supernatural powers, doubting their partner’s faithfulness etc. without any reason or doubting their partner’s faithfulness etc. without any reason or proof.proof.

2424 IllusionIllusion: misinterpreting of a real object e.g. mistaking a rope in a : misinterpreting of a real object e.g. mistaking a rope in a dark for a snake.dark for a snake.

2525 HallucinationHallucination: persons hearing, seeing and smelling things which is : persons hearing, seeing and smelling things which is actually not there.actually not there.

2626 Suicidal TendencySuicidal Tendency: tries to end one’s life: tries to end one’s life..

MAJOR MENTAL ILLNESSMAJOR MENTAL ILLNESS

Like other physical disease, certain mental illness are categorized Like other physical disease, certain mental illness are categorized as major mental illness; their way of thinking, way of responding, as major mental illness; their way of thinking, way of responding, emotions, awareness about environment etc. are entirely different emotions, awareness about environment etc. are entirely different from normal people. They are not in touch with reality. Some of the from normal people. They are not in touch with reality. Some of the major mental illness are:major mental illness are:

1.1. SchizophreniaSchizophrenia: it is a severe mental illness affecting overall : it is a severe mental illness affecting overall functioning of an individual like personal, family, social, functioning of an individual like personal, family, social, occupational level etc. Once a person is affected by schizophrenia, occupational level etc. Once a person is affected by schizophrenia, he is not on touch with reality.he is not on touch with reality.

2.2. Bipolar Mood DisorderBipolar Mood Disorder: it is another severe mental illness where : it is another severe mental illness where the patient will experience the episode of extreme excitement and the patient will experience the episode of extreme excitement and depression at different times. If the patient experiences severe depression at different times. If the patient experiences severe excitement he will be physically or verbally more active than excitement he will be physically or verbally more active than normal individuals. He may feel as if he has extraordinary powers normal individuals. He may feel as if he has extraordinary powers or that he is somebody special. And if it is depression , he will or that he is somebody special. And if it is depression , he will experience extraordinary sadness . He can also feel worthless and experience extraordinary sadness . He can also feel worthless and a sense of helplessness along with severe guilt that can lead to a sense of helplessness along with severe guilt that can lead to suicidal attempts.suicidal attempts.

33 DementiaDementia: it is the mental illness of aged people where they : it is the mental illness of aged people where they experience severe memory impairment , loss of problem experience severe memory impairment , loss of problem solving skills, loosing a reality touch , attention and other solving skills, loosing a reality touch , attention and other social skills. The patient will experience decline in overall social skills. The patient will experience decline in overall areas of functioning. All this happens in a fully conscious areas of functioning. All this happens in a fully conscious state.state.

44 DepressionDepression: if a person affected by depression, he will be : if a person affected by depression, he will be in severe sadness of mood along with loss of interest in in severe sadness of mood along with loss of interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of worthlessness, guilt pleasurable activities, feelings of worthlessness, guilt feeling, loss of hunger and weight, suicidal ideas etcfeeling, loss of hunger and weight, suicidal ideas etc..

MANAGEMENT/TREATMENT OF MANAGEMENT/TREATMENT OF MAJOR MENTAL ILLNESSMAJOR MENTAL ILLNESS

The treatment for mental illness includes medication, psycho social The treatment for mental illness includes medication, psycho social rehabilitation followed by regular follow up. For a comprehensive rehabilitation followed by regular follow up. For a comprehensive treatment we need the help of a multidisciplinary team whichtreatment we need the help of a multidisciplinary team which

includes psychiatrist, psychiatric social worker, psychologist, includes psychiatrist, psychiatric social worker, psychologist, psychiatric nurse , occupational therapist etc.psychiatric nurse , occupational therapist etc.

To re-establish the bio-chemical imbalances in the brain medicationTo re-establish the bio-chemical imbalances in the brain medication is important . It helps to control the signs and symptoms of mental is important . It helps to control the signs and symptoms of mental

illness.illness. Psycho-social interventions plays a major role. Once the symptoms Psycho-social interventions plays a major role. Once the symptoms are under control. It helps the patient to regain their lost social skills –are under control. It helps the patient to regain their lost social skills –

(interpersonal relationships, communication pattern, self esteem , (interpersonal relationships, communication pattern, self esteem , personal hygiene, self confidence, adjustment and cooperation, personal hygiene, self confidence, adjustment and cooperation, leadership quality through structured scheduled activities), adaptive leadership quality through structured scheduled activities), adaptive behavior , systematic way of life , work habits , time management. It behavior , systematic way of life , work habits , time management. It also enhances psycho education to the patient and his family to also enhances psycho education to the patient and his family to develop insight about the illness and helps to identify and rectify the develop insight about the illness and helps to identify and rectify the problems in the family.problems in the family.

Some mental illness are Some mental illness are long standing and have long standing and have deteriorating effects on deteriorating effects on individuals , regular follow-individuals , regular follow-up therefore becomes a up therefore becomes a major component in after major component in after care treatment.care treatment.

MYTHSMYTHS FACTSFACTS

Mental illness is caused by Mental illness is caused by evil spirits, curse of God, evil spirits, curse of God, result of black magic. result of black magic.

It is the result of sinful life It is the result of sinful life in the past birth.in the past birth.

It is caused by the position It is caused by the position of stars and planets.of stars and planets.

Abnormal behavior is said Abnormal behavior is said to be purposely done and to be purposely done and to trouble others.to trouble others.

Mental illness is just like Mental illness is just like any other illness, major any other illness, major reason has said to be reason has said to be chemical imbalance in the chemical imbalance in the brain, hereditary, stressful brain, hereditary, stressful life events . Side effects of life events . Side effects of steroids , any damage steroids , any damage happened in the brain due happened in the brain due to the accidents , to the accidents , consanguine, marriage etc.consanguine, marriage etc.

Abnormal behavior is the Abnormal behavior is the result of the signs and result of the signs and symptoms of mental symptoms of mental illnessillness. .

Magicians, religious priests, Magicians, religious priests, quacks etc. can cure mental quacks etc. can cure mental illness.illness.

Marriages can cure mental Marriages can cure mental illness.illness.

Chaining, manhandling, starving, Chaining, manhandling, starving, isolation etc. are the ways to isolation etc. are the ways to treat mentally ill.treat mentally ill.

Migration from one place to Migration from one place to another /changing house can another /changing house can cure mental illness.cure mental illness.

Mental illness is inborn.Mental illness is inborn.

They are not the solutions to They are not the solutions to mental illness .it needs mental illness .it needs scientific treatment.scientific treatment.

It cannot.It cannot.

Mentally ill deserves much Mentally ill deserves much more humanitarian and more humanitarian and empathetical approach.empathetical approach.

It cannot.It cannot.

It is developed during the It is developed during the course of life.course of life.

MYTHSMYTHS FACTSFACTS

MYTHSMYTHS FACTSFACTS

Highly qualified professionals, Highly qualified professionals, high-class society cannot get high-class society cannot get mental illness.mental illness.

Mentally ill loose their Mentally ill loose their intelligence and all of them are intelligence and all of them are good for nothing.good for nothing.

Mental illness can not be treated.Mental illness can not be treated.

It is shameful and below dignity It is shameful and below dignity to consult a psychiatrist /social to consult a psychiatrist /social worker.worker.

Anyone at anytime can get Anyone at anytime can get affected with mental illness.affected with mental illness.

The intelligence is intact and The intelligence is intact and many of them are capable of many of them are capable of carrying out any sort of carrying out any sort of responsibilities.responsibilities.

It can be very well treated and It can be very well treated and brought under control just like brought under control just like diabetes, BP etc.diabetes, BP etc.

It is wrong.. Mental health It is wrong.. Mental health professionals can help to professionals can help to develop a healthy life. develop a healthy life.

MYTHSMYTHS FACTSFACTS

Patients should not be Patients should not be informed about their illness.informed about their illness.

Medicine alone is the Medicine alone is the treatment for mental health.treatment for mental health.

Mentally ill cannot lead a Mentally ill cannot lead a family.family.

The patient should be The patient should be educated about their educated about their illness, medicines and its illness, medicines and its side-effects and chances side-effects and chances of relapse .of relapse .

Medicine along with Medicine along with psychosocial psychosocial rehabilitation is the best rehabilitation is the best mode of treatment .mode of treatment .

They can.They can.