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MENTAL HEALTH Mental health refers to cognitive, behavioural and emotional well-being. It is all about how people think, feel, and behave. People sometimes use the term “mental health” to mean the absence of a mental disorder. Looking after mental health can help us enjoy life. Many factors affect our mental health (activities responsibilities, connections..) Finding a balance between them can help improve it. A person’s routine can be affected by mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress...
Modifiable factors for mental health disorders include:
- Socioeconomic conditions, such whether work is available in the local area - Occupation - A person’s level of social involvement - Education - Housing quality
Non modifiable factors include:
- Gender - Age - Ethnicity
A research found men are 3.96 more likely to have a worst mental health. People with a worse economic status scored highest for mental health.
Common mental health disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD) The American Psychiatric Association define GAD as disproportionate worry that disrupts everyday living. Panic Disorders People with a panic disorder experience regular panic attacks, which involve sudden, overwhelming terror or a sense of imminent disaster and death. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) People with OCD have obsessions and
compulsions. In other words, they experience constant,
stressful thoughts and a powerful urge to perform repetitive acts, such as hand washing.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) PTSD can occur after a person experiences or witnesses a deeply stressful or traumatic event. Mood Disorders People with these conditions have significant changes in mood, generally involving either mania, which is a period of high energy and elation, or depression.
