The general topic of mental health is often misunderstood and underrated, and until recent years, there hasn’t been a lot of resources for mental health education. Those suffering with their own mental health, or those struggling to support others need to be well-informed and educated on the basics: what is mental health, what are the signs of specific mental illnesses, and how can we help? Here is what you need to know, and how you can help:
Common Mental Illnesses: Depression – a feeling of loss, hopelessness, and/or guilt, which causes changes in functioning in day-to-day life, and lasts for two weeks or more Symptoms – changes in sleep, changes in appetite, lack of concentration, loss of energy, hopelessness, guilty thoughts
Anxiety – overwhelming feelings of intense fear, and distress; prevent everyday activities from being completed Symptoms – (emotional) feelings of apprehension or dread, feeling jumpy or tense, (physical) pounding or racing heart, breathlessness, sweating, tremors, twitching
ADHD – a developmental disorder where there are significant problems with attention, hyperactivity or acting impulsively Symptoms – (inattention) becoming easily distracted, becoming bored with a task easily, struggling to follow directions, (hyperactivity) fidgeting, squirming, non-stop talking, (impulsivity) impatience, difficulty taking turns, blurting out
Bipolar Disorder – causes dramatic highs and lows in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly Symptoms – (mania) unaware of the negative consequences of their actions, (depression) become obsessed with feelings of loss, personal failure, guilt or helplessness
Borderline Personality – is characterized by severe, unstable mood swings, impulsivity and instability, poor self-image and stormy relationships Symptoms – frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment by friends and family, chronic feelings of boredom or emptiness
For more information on these mental conditions, and others, visit: https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions
What Can We Do To Help? Show your support. Listen. Encourage them to seek help. Ask them what you can do to seek help. Reassure them that you love them. Educate yourself. Support healthy behaviors (getting enough sleep, eating, etc.)
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/improving-care.aspx http://campusmindworks.org/students/helping/how_do_i_support.asp
We encourage you to educate yourself on mental health, to further your abilities to help both yourself and those you love.
HCXO