Mental illness

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not just the absence of health conditions or diseases

What are mental illnesses? Mental Illness or Mental Disorder is an emotional, cognitive and/or behavioral alteration, in which basic psychological processes such as emotion, motivation, cognition, consciousness, behaviour, perception, sensation, learning, language, etc, are affected. This makes it difficult for the person to adapt to the cultural and social environment in which they live and creates various forms of subjective malaise.

(Ref. La “Guía de estilo” de la Confederación Salud Mental España).

Diagnosis of mental illness

According to the criteria of international classifications such as the DSM-IV of the American Psychiatric Association or the CIE-10 of the World Health Organization (WHO), the diagnostic groups that result in the emergence of a situation valued as Serious Mental Illness are:

Depresión

Depression

Depression is a mental health problem that affects millions of people around the world. It is likely that, throughout your life, you have been in contact in some way with this disease, either through people you know or are close to, or because you have experienced it in your own skin. You have probably heard information or comments about depression or talked about it with people around you. However, how much do you really know about this disease? Is depression just about being sad? How do you know when it is time to ask for help?

Esquizofrenia y grupo de trastornos psicóticos

SCHIZOPHRENIA AND PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS GROUP

This is a mental illness characterized by thinking disorders, hallucinations and negative symptoms; it usually has a great impact on social relationship functions. There is a serious deterioration in the assessment of reality that greatly interferes with the ability to respond to the daily demands of life. These distortions come from the perception of thought and emotions.

Trastorno bipolar

BIPOLAR DISORDER AND MAJOR AFFECTIVE DISORDERS

These are characterized by severe mood disturbance phases and the level of activity of the affected person (manic-depressive episodes).

Trastorno de la personalidad

PERSONALITY DISORDERS

These are an alteration of personality, way of life, mental health, way of being and relation to the environment. The pathology is given by groups of peculiar traits (not clinical symptoms) that make the person suffer or generate serious conflicts in interpersonal and / or social relationships.

Trastorno Obsesivo Compulsivo

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (hereinafter OCD) is a type of chronic mental illness, which diagnostic manuals place within the category of “Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and Related Disorders” (DSMV), and within the group of “neurotic disorders secondary to stressful and somatomorphic situations” (CIE-10). When a person has an OCD, they have certain involuntary repetitive thoughts and feel compelled to followroutines or rituals on an ongoing basis.

Did you know that…?

Breaking Down Barriers

True or False? Reveal false myths with the following questions.

A PERSON WITH MENTAL ILLNESS CANNOT ACHIEVE THE PROFESSIONAL GOALS THAT ARISE.

False

Many bright people who have achieved great professional successes have had or still have a mental illness. They have learned to live with their conditionto function and have not stopped achieving their goals. Examples include: Albert Einstein (physicist), John Nash (mathematician, Nobel Prize winner) and Ariana Grande (singer songwriter, producer, actor).

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS ARE AGGRESSIVE OR DANGEROUS.

False

The idea that mental illness is related to violence has no scientific basis. Reality tells us that people with mental illness are more likely to harm themselves and not others and are more likely to be subjected to aggressive acts than to commit them.

MEDICATION IS NECESSARY.

True

To keep some of the symptoms of the disease under control and prevent future relapses it is often essential to take It is very important that the person has adequate pharmacological treatment, which makes it possible for them to develop their daily life in the most normalized way possible without the burden that many symptoms of his diagnosis place on him.

A PERSON IS BORN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

False

Mental illness does not develop in pregnancy as is the case with other diseases. Mental illness develops at any lifestage, as a result of the combination of multiple causal and psychosocial factors. 75% of mental disorders occur or originate in adolescence so a good system of prevention and early detection means better treatment and care.

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS MAY HAVE LONG PERIODS OF STABILITY.

True

Appropriate medication, combined with adequate training in managing symptoms and coping with stressful situations can result in long periods of stability.

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS ARE VERY DEPENDENT.

False

Everyone needs somesupport throughout their lives, especially if we are struggling with a serious illness. This is not to say that the person cannot function properly in different areas of their life, family, work, environment, and participate activelyn in society.

Take care of your Mental Health

Our recommendations to take care of your Mental Health:

Sleep 7 or 8 hours a day

To prevent energy loss and the onset of fatigue

Eat a healthyand varied diet

To have a healthy and strong body.

Practice a sporting activity

This could be as simple as walking for an hour a day

Go out and have fun

With your friends, family, neighbors…

Control consumption

Alcohol, tobacco, coffee, drugs…

Face problems

Obstacles are challenges and opportunities to learn

Dedicate time to yourself

Take a nap, go to the hairdresser’s, treat yourself…

Share the daily “overload”

Make a list of the tasks you’re going to do and recognize your limitations

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Enjoy hobbies

Crafts, going to the movies, reading a book, going to a concert… will help you disconnect.

Watch out for symptoms of stress

Insomnia, hair loss, sadness, irritation, nervousness…

Recognize your achievements

Reflect on the things that have been achieved, on those that make us happy, to support other people as well.

Seek professional help

It reduces suffering and improves the quality of life. Ask who you’re closest to, create a sense of belonging. You’re not alone- this isn’t only happening to you. The way to change is to ask for help in providing tools and possible solutions. (Online consultation)

Do you have doubts or need help?

Contact us!