Condition
What are
Mental Health Problems?
Feelings of depression, anxiety or confusion are normal responses to the ups
and downs of modern life. A person is described as experiencing mental health
problems when such feelings are so extreme that s/he has difficulty carrying
on everyday life.
- Depression -
covers a range of psychological distress including lowered mood making
everything seem harder and less worthwhile. It can be life threatening
when very severe, leading to thoughts of suicide. Specific forms of depression
include Post Natal Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
- Anxiety States -
are having chronic fear, tension and panic attacks. Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder (OCD) is a specific form of anxiety where people feel they have
no control over their thoughts.
- Eating Disorders -
starving to the extent of severe, sometimes life-threatening slimness is
known as anorexia nervosa. Compulsive eating and vomiting is known as bulimia
nervosa. Both behaviours are a way of coping with psychological or emotional
problems.
- Psychosis -
psychiatrists use this term when someone seems unable to distinguish clearly
between reality and what is imaginary, or what is internal or external
to their own thoughts. The term schizophrenia describes a state of mind
in which people thoughts and perceptions go beyond the range of normal
experience.
- Bi-polar Disorder/Manic
Depression - some people experience profound changes in their
mood which can switch from depression and lethargy to periods of elation
and over activity.
- Personality
Disorder - this describes someone with a long-lasting, inflexible
and limited range of attitudes and behaviours which are unhelpful and
distressing. They make it difficult to develop friendships, maintain
relationships and work co-operatively with others.
- Self Harm -
this is a common response to distress and covers a wide range of behaviour
which cause personal harm, from neglect through to active injury.
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