Free Post #8: Mental Health Information

1 out of every 4 adults in the United States suffers with a mental health disorder; that's 57.7 million people! 25%  is a pretty hefty chunk of our population. That being said I think that It is important for people to be informed on these disorders so they can be  more aware and sensitive to the people who suffer.

Anxiety Disorders:
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress, but a anxiety disorder causes this feeling of uncertainty to be excessive. It is difficult to control while it also causes you to look at life in a negative light. There are a wide range of types of anxiety disorders.

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Creates a feeling of being on edge all the time, or even feeling     anxious for no reason at all
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Obsessing over little rituals and feeling the need to repeat certain rituals over and over again. The main focus is different for everyone affected and can be anything from counting objects over and over, to repeating words or actions. The person feels an overwhelming sense of anxiety until the ritual is completed.
• Panic disorder: A sudden panic attack consisting of intense anxiety, shortness of breath and hyperventilation. The cause of the attack usually for an unknown reason, but certain people also have certain triggers.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Caused by a traumatic event. The person may randomly feel stressed or threatened and go into their fight or flight response when no danger is present.
• Social phobia (or social anxiety disorder): A strong fear of being judged negatively by others. They may feel anxious or embarrassed to meet a person or speak to people. They cannot control their fear and usually stays away from situations where multiple people are involved

Mood Disorders:

A strong feeling of a certain mood without any control from the individual. It takes a toll on the individual's mood and mind.

• Depressive Disorder: When feelings of sadness last for an extended period of time, and it feels like there is no escaping it. The sadness is accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. The symptoms also commonly interfere with daily life functioning.
• Bipolar Disorder: Known as a manic-depressive illness. It causes shifts in one extreme of a mood to the other extreme within a short period of time. When its an manic episode the person feels extremely happy, like they can accomplish the world; they usually work excessively. During the depressive state the person feels overwhelming sadness and is unable to function.  

Other Disorders:

•  Schizophrenia: is a chronic, crippling brain disorder. People affected hear voices in their head plotting to harm them or telling them other irrational things. The voices are almost constant, which makes it difficult to focus, or to do anything else but sit and listen to the thoughts. It is difficult for a person with this disorder to hold a job or live normally.
• Autism: A pervasive developmental disorder, inhibiting the person from developing in a normal way. There is a cognitive impairment which leads to unusual actions and behaviors, as well as a different way of thinking and learning.
• Eating Disorders: Is a mental disorder that is caused by a person not seeing themselves the way they really are. They want to strive for perfection by making themselves beautiful and skinny. Anorexia Nervosa is one type which is starving ones self.  Bulimia Nervosa is another type in which a person eats normally but then makes themselves throw up the food. Binge-eating disorder is the last type which is periods of starving ones self followed by periods of excessive overeating.
• Borderline Personality Disorder: A pattern of instability in relationships, self image, and impulsiveness.

There are many more disorders and sub-disorders out there, but I think it is important for people to have at least a little background information of these disorders due to the commonality of them.

Sources:

Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27.

U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates by Demographic Characteristics. Table 2: Annual Estimates of the Population by Selected Age Groups and Sex for the United States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2004 (NC-EST2004-02) Source: Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau Release Date: June 9, 2005.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, 1994.