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What is mental health?
It is estimated that one in five people in Portugal has a mental illness. THE depression it is the one that most affects the Portuguese. TO “invisible diseases“are often the reason why people are subjected to discriminatory looks and comments from colleagues, friends and family.
At some point in our lives we must have heard the expression: “healthy mind Healthy Body”. It is no coincidence that we must take care of both physical and mental health equally.
The psychiatrist Vítor Cotovio emphasizes that: “without mental health, the other is also compromised.”
“What happens in our mind turns out to be, in some way, an intermediary of the relational quality that we establish between the different organs and systems of the body and, on the other hand, also an intermediary of our relationship with ourselves and with others”said Vítor Cotovio in an interview with SIC Notícias.
According to the World Health Organization, there is no official definition of the term. However, the organization defines it as “The state of well-being in which the individual is aware of their capabilities, can cope with the usual stresses of everyday life, work in a productive and fruitful way, and is able to contribute to the community in which they operate”.
Over the years, the mental health of an individual can undergo various changes that are influenced by events, relationships, experiences, biological factors, among others. That is why it is important to be alert, take care of your body and mind, not be afraid to ask for help from qualified professionals if you need it and not be ashamed to broach the subject. Because without mental health, mental disorders arise.
This Saturday October 10 the World mental health day. In the context of that date, this article aims to raise awareness about some of the mental disorders that affect millions of people around the world, both men and women, in adulthood or even in children, and make the symptoms known .
Most common mental disorders
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects approximately 20 million people in the world. It is a disease that affects the functioning of the brain and consequently behaviors, thoughts and emotions.
The disease is usually diagnosed in the late teens or early adulthood. However, it can also manifest itself at older ages. If schizophrenia is not caught early and not treated properly, it can become disabling.
Despite being a chronic disease, proper monitoring and treatment facilitate the social and professional integration of patients.
The most common symptoms of schizophrenia: alucinações; reelírios; isocial sole; paranoia topatia; merritability; redifficult to focus; tconstant sadness or depression; theemotional changes; redifficulty feeling or expressing emotions and disinterest in day-to-day activities.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is characterized by drastic mood swings and affects about 45 million people in the world. Bipolar disorder begins during adolescence or early adulthood and lasts a lifetime.
Bipolar patients experience repeated episodes of depression and mania. Depressive episodes are characterized by a deep state of sadness, apathy, and restlessness. Manic episodes, on the other hand, show elevated moods in which people feel very happy and more energetic than normal.
The duration of seizures varies: it can last days, weeks, or even months. In some cases, it is possible to predict when they will happen. And so It is essential that patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder are accompanied by specialized health professionals.
SYMPTOMS DURING DEPRESSIVE EPISODES
- Insomnia;
- Deep sadness;
- Suicidal thoughts;
- Fatigue and loss of energy;
- Decreased sex drive
- Difficulty making decisions;
- Changes in appetite and weight.
SYMPTOMS DURING MANIC EPISODES
- Elevated mood;
- Excessive energy;
- Excessive reaction to stimuli;
- Disminution of necesity of sleep;
- Euphoric feelings and unrealistic beliefs;
- Drug abuse and paranoid behaviors;
- Increased sexual desire, uninhibited behavior with inappropriate choices.
Depression
Depression is characterized by states of deep anguish and sadness. Sadness, like happiness or frustration, are momentary emotions that all people experience. This does not mean that when we are sad, we are depressed.
The psychiatrist Vítor Cotovio explains that the condition must be evaluated taking into account four criteria: “the suffering that the person feels, the intensity of the picture, the persistence of the picture over time and, finally, what is the dysfunction that almost runs through that person’s life”.
Depression can present in varying degrees of severity and, as a general rule, It affects women more than men.
The Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health says that depression affects “about 20% of the Portuguese populationIt is the mental illness that most affects the Portuguese. World Health Organization considers it the main cause of disability.
Portugal is the fifth country in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that consumes the most antidepressants. The consumption rate is double that of countries like the Netherlands, Italy or Slovakia.
Depression can be treated with medication or psychotherapy, or a combination of both. As with other illnesses, the earlier depression is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment will be.
Most common symptoms of depression: tlaughter; Fyou; Ploss of interest and pleasure in daily activities; thechanges in sleep, appetite, and sex drive; thePati; Cgo up in wool; sguilt, worthlessness and helplessnesssuicidal thoughts.
Anxiety
At some point in our lives, we may feel more anxious. Either because we have a job interview, or because we are undergoing a certain test, or even when a change is about to occur in our life. And in addition to being anxious, we are also afraid.
The psychiatrist Vítor Cotovio explains that fear “It is an emotional and physiological response to an imminent, real and perceived threat. Whereas anxiety is the anticipation of a future threat”.
When anxiety is felt continuously, excessively and for no apparent reason, it is a sign that we may be facing a case of mental disorder.
Symptoms of anxiety are diverse and can vary from person to person. In some cases they can cause panic attacks.
Most frequent anxiety symptoms: fast heartbeat; mensónias; pchest tightness; scold fluids; shortness of breath; dizziness; difficulty regulating emotions; suffering of anticipation.
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic illness characterized by obsessions and behaviors that are compulsively repeated.
A person with obsessive-compulsive disorder tends to have, on a recurring basis, unwanted thoughts that he cannot control and repeated behaviors that can result in repeated hand washing; check again and again that the stove is off; or constantly cleaning the house for fear of germs.
For security reasons, it is common for people to check that the doors are properly closed. That does not mean why you suffer from this pathology. But when obsessions and compulsive behaviors have a strong impact on the individual’s routine, it can be considered OCD.
It is a disease that significantly interferes with daily activities, work / school, and relationships with other people.
SYMPTOMS
Obsessive thoughts:
- Fear of dying or getting sick;
- Fear of contamination by germs;
- Thinking thoughts that don’t come out of your head;
- Have things symmetrical or in perfect order;
- See mentally and repeatedly disturbing images (the death of the family, for example).
Compulsive behaviors:
- Wash your hands and clean the house excessively;
- Constantly arrange objects in a certain order;
- Repeat words or phrases to prevent something bad from happening;
- Repeatedly check that the door is closed and that the stove or gas is turned off.
Eating disorder
Food. Considered an essential good for human survival, food is the ghost of people with eating disorders (PCA). Eating disorders have two factors in common: the excessive preoccupation with food and weight.
Both men and women can be affected by PCA, but it is more common in women during adolescence and adulthood.
PCAs manifest silently, causing deterioration in physical and mental health. By not being visible to family and friends, they become more difficult to identify.
People with eating disorders have a hard time recognizing that they are sick and, as such, do not ask for help. But early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for each case can make a difference.
Good medical care and family support are essential for the patient to have a more stable life.
MOST COMMON PCA: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
People with anorexia nervosa they voluntarily restrict food, even though their appetite is maintained. The fear of gaining weight makes them not eat and exercise too much. In some cases, long fasts are added to these practices.
People can even be healthy and have an estimated weight for their height, but when they look in the mirror they are overweight.
Patients suffering bulimia nervosa They go through different episodes: they both eat a large amount of food in a short time, and there are times when patients try to make up for what they ate with vomiting or laxative or diuretic medications.
Consequences of anorexia nervosa in patients:
- Weakening of the bones due to lack of calcium;
- Drop in blood pressure and slow pulse;
- Hair and nails become brittle;
- Severe constipation;
- Depression.
Consequences of bulimia nervosa in patients:
- The salivary glands in the neck and under the jaw swell;
- Sore throat and chronic inflammation;
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorders;
- Wear of tooth enamel;
- Severe dehydration
Hyperactivity and attention deficit.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders that affects children, although it also affects adults.
People with ADHD are often described as “lazy,” “misbehaving,” and just wanting to get noticed. It is important to underline that these children have difficulties controlling their behavior and as such it is not about laziness or bad behavior. The same applies to adults.
FormerThere are three groups of symptoms:
Inattention
- You do not pay attention to detail and make careless mistakes in school and at work;
- Difficulty following directions to the end and completing tasks;
- Avoid tasks that require mental effort;
- He does not listen when the other speaks;
- Get distracted very easily.
Hyperactivity
- Inexhaustible energy;
- Do you need to be always on the move;
- Difficulty staying seated or quiet;
Impulsiveness
- Interrupts others frequently;
- Difficulty controlling impulses or waiting a turn.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. comes in three forms: inattentive – prevalence of inattention; hyperactive – predominance of symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity; combined – when all three groups of symptoms are present (inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity).
Follow the Mental Health special for more information. In the next few days we will publish various content.
