Mental Illnesses

Mental Illnesses

More than 450 million people suffer from a mental health condition, yet often the warning signs of a mental health condition go unnoticed, undiagnosed and suffers do not receive effective treatment. 

Mental health problems can be categorized in two ways: neurotic conditions, 'neuroses' where the sufferer experiences extreme feelings of normal emotions, as with depression as an extreme feeling of sadness; and psychotic conditions, 'psychosis', such as schizophrenia where the sufferer has a distorted view of reality.

It is estimated that at any given time, 1 in 4 people are suffering from mental illness. The most commonly diagnosed mental illnesses are listed below:

Depression - The fourth leading cause of illness worldwide, depression has various degrees. For some, depression may cause them to withdraw from people around them; for others manic depression can lead to suicidal thoughts and attempts at taking their own life.

ADHD - Attention deficit hyperactive disorder is commonly diagnosed in children and most people 'out-grow' the condition by the time they reach adulthood. ADHD effects the ability to concentrate and causes hyperactivity. Until recently, children with ADHD largely went undiagnosed and were considered simply 'naughty children'.

Bipolar - People who suffer from bi-polar disease have incredible 'high' periods, when they feel emotionally stable and content, and incredibly 'low' periods where symptoms of manic depression appear. The fluctuation between the two emotional states is often rapid and unexpected.

Schizophrenia - Schizophrenics suffer from a distorted view of reality which can include hallucinations,paranoia, erratic speech, movement and sufferers are often delusional.

Seasonal Affective Disorder  - S.A.D is a newly diagnosed disorder that causes people to suffer from extreme cases of depression during colder months of the year.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders - O.C.D can reveal itself in numerous ways, from an obsession with cleanliness, to an overwhelming desire to eat only one food type.

Eating disorders- Eating disorders anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder all cause sufferers to have an unhealthy relationship with food, whether not eating at all, eating and regurgitating food or compulsively overeating. 

There are many mental health services that can assist those affected by and the family and friends of people with mental illness and offer counseling, therapy, medication guidance and support.