Mental health. Mental illness. Mental wellness.
These terms and phrases, unfortunately, have a negative connotation in society, though this is beginning to change. At The Empathy Centre, we use a number of psychological therapies and techniques to help each client achieve their therapy goals.
What is a Mental Illness?
A mental illness is a health condition that affects an individual’s physical, emotional and social health. It also can alter the way one thinks, feels and behaves. These changes and symptoms can have a detrimental effect on a person’s ability to function optimally and can impact their personal and professional relationships, as well as their view of themselves.
Mental Health Statistics
Between 11% and 18% of the world’s population will suffer from a mental health concern at some point in their lives.
About half of all mental health concerns start in the mid-teens, while three-fourths of mental illness onset occurs by one’s mid-20s.
The WHO reports that 7.5% of the Indian population suffers from a mental health concern.
As not everyone who needs help seeks it, these statistics may be higher.
Early Warning Signs
Unlike a physical illness, mental health illnesses are not as straightforward to diagnose. If you have a scratchy throat and fever, you’re likely to have a throat infection, and you probably know what to do to take care of it. But with mental health concerns, it can be difficult to know what a potential symptom might be, and if you should seek therapy.
- A Marked Change in Mood: experiencing changes in your mood that you feel unable to control, or feeling like your emotional reactions are extreme.
- Change in Appetite: Noticing that you are eating too little, too much or swinging between not eating and overeating.
- Issues with Sleep: If you are having difficultly falling asleep, waking up, having nightmares, or disturbed sleep.
- Withdrawing from Life: If you notice a decreased interest in socialising with your family and friends.
- Having a Hard Time Functioning: Finding it increasingly difficult to perform your daily tasks.
- Issues with Thinking: Sometimes you may find it difficult to concentrate, divert your mind from a particular thought, have a hard time remembering things or feeling motivated.
- Emotional Disturbances: You may be feeling disconnected from life, be feeling overly stressed or sad. You may also notice that you have become more sensitive than usual, and may have developed a shorter fuse.
- Developing Unhealthy Habits: Often times people who are suffering from a mental health concern, but do not yet know it, may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms – such as excessive drinking, drug usage or smoking cigarettes.
