Mental health refers to overall wellbeing across emotional, psychological, psychosocial, and economic factors that can affect how we live, feel, and interact with others, notes Dr. Ángel Alberto Ruíz Chow, adult psychiatrist at ABC Medical Center.
The World Health Organization notes that mental health disorders are on the rise worldwide. Largely due to demographic shifts, the past decade (through 2017) saw a 13% increase in the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders. Mental health disorders account for 1 in every 5 years lived with disability. An estimated 20% of children and adolescents worldwide experience a mental health disorder, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29.
Stress, other illnesses, distress, interpersonal or family issues, substance use, or even certain thought patterns are some of the factors that can affect our mental health.
Among the disorders that most commonly impact mental health, three stand out:
- Anxiety: a state of emotional distress in which a person worries excessively, triggering physical reactions such as dry mouth, an increased heart rate, or persistent worry. It’s normal for certain situations to trigger anxiety, but it should typically fade within a few hours or days; if it lasts longer than a couple of days or recurs frequently, treatment should be considered.
- Depression: here, a persistent feeling of sadness can occur over the course of a day or for many days at a time. It may or may not have a clear underlying cause, though the sadness experienced is often disproportionate to whatever triggered it. A depressive episode is generally considered when this sadness lasts more than two weeks.
- Phobias: an intense fear of specific or nonspecific situations. There’s a wide range of possible triggers, from a fear of heights to a fear of a particular object or even clowns; someone living with a phobia may develop severe anxiety, generalized anxiety, or panic attacks.
Dr. Ruíz notes that there are several warning signs that can indicate the presence of a mental health disorder, including increased irritability, trouble sleeping, losing touch with family or friends, social withdrawal, loss of appetite, conflicts with a partner or others, losing interest in activities once enjoyed, neglecting personal hygiene, among other signs.
Once it’s noticed that someone may be experiencing a mental health issue, it’s very important to seek help as soon as possible, since a mental health condition addressed early is much easier to treat than one that’s been developing for a long time.
The first point of contact can be a general practitioner, a psychologist, or even a psychiatrist, each can refer the patient to another specialist if needed.
While full recovery is possible in some cases of mental health conditions, in others it isn’t, but appropriate treatment can still help the patient lead a normal life.
At ABC Medical Center’s Neurology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
