Mental Health Problems

Mental health problem can be explained as:

‘A mental illness is a disorder of the brain that results in disruption in a person's thinking, feeling, moods and ability to relate to others. Mental illness is distinct from the legal concept of insanity.’

An Introduction to Mental Health Problems

Mental health problems are very real, experienced by normal people at any stage in life. They affect one's thoughts, body, feelings and behavior. Mental health problems are not just a passing phase. They can be severe, seriously interfere with a person's life and even cause disabilities in a person.

Mental Health Problems Include

• depression
• bipolar disorder
• manic-depressive illness
• attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder
• anxiety disorders
• eating disorders
• schizophrenia
• conduct disorder

The term, ‘mental health problem’ covers a wide range of problems which affect an individual’s ability to carry on with their daily life functions. Mental health problems can affect any individual belonging to any age group and background. Also, mental health problems can have an impact on the people around the affected individuals such as their family and friends.

Most of the time, large numbers of people recover from their mental health problems. However, long-term mental problems can cause considerable disruption and difficulty in people's lives. Yet, with proper treatment and help many of the affected people find ways to manage their problems and lead active lives.

Classification of Mental Health Problems

Mental health problems range from the small worries we all experience as part of everyday life to serious long-term conditions. The majority of people who experience mental health problems can get over them or learn to live with them, especially if they get specialized help in the early stages.

Mental health problems are usually defined and classified in various categories to enable the professionals to refer people for appropriate care and treatment. Diagnoses is the most usual way of dividing and classifying symptoms into groups.

 Most mental health symptoms have traditionally been divided into groups called either ‘neurotic’ or ‘psychotic’ symptoms. Some mental health problems feature both neurotic and psychotic symptoms.

Neurotic Symptoms

Neurotic symptoms are those which can be regarded as severe forms of ‘normal’ emotional experiences such as depression, anxiety or panic. Conditions formerly referred to as ‘neuroses’ are now more frequently called “common mental health problems.”

Psychotic Symptoms

Psychotic symptoms are the less common forms of mental problems. They interfere with a person’s perception of reality and may include hallucinations such as seeing, hearing, and smelling or feeling things that no-one else can or which do not exist.

Types of Mental Health Problems

Mental health problems result from a complex interaction of biological, social and psychological factors, but are still usually discussed in medical terms.

As well as distinguishing between neurotic and psychotic symptoms, psychiatrists sub-divide different kinds of mental health disorders in other ways:

• Organic (identifiable brain malfunction) versus Functional (not due to simple structural abnormalities of the brain).
• ICD-10 Classification, which lists major groups of disorders in related families e.g. mood disorders, which includes depression and manic depression.

Mental health problems can be experienced by any healthy individual for any reason. However, it does not mean the end of life. With proper professional help and treatment, it is possible to overcome those problems and lead a normal life.