Millions of people in the country have at least one type of mental health issue. However, many of the cases are not reported since they do not prevent the affected persons from performing their day to day activities. Mental health issues can be as simple as the fear of height (a phobia) or as serious as panic attacks and personality disorders. Read on to learn about the most common types of mental health issues.
i) Anxiety
Anxiety is a general term used to refer to a mixture of feeling, including fear, worry and unease. It combines both physical sensations and emotions when a person is nervous about something, which may be an interview, exam, having a baby, deciding to get married or divorced, or any other major life event. Anxiety puts the body in a state of alertness in preparation for either “flight” or “fight”. As a result, your breathing and heartbeat may change as the body prepares itself for an impending danger. These symptoms are caused by the release of cortisol and adrenaline into the bloodstream. If left untreated, anxiety can get worse and become overwhelming or crippling.
ii) Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
This is a type of personality disorder characterized by intense emotions which can last hours or days but can change in a matter of seconds. A person who has BPD may not have a strong sense of whom they are and their character may change from time to time depending on their mood or the person they’re with. When faced with a stressful situation, a person with BPD may simply go numb and not remember anything that has happened. They may also have psychotic experiences or feel paranoid.
iii) Depression
This is one of the most common mental health issues affecting Americans. Depression is characterized by a feeling of sadness which may last weeks. A depressed person may feel bad about life for no apparent reason. The feeling may last a few days but recur every couple of days or weeks. This feeling may interfere with a person’s life and reduce its quality.
It is important to note that all mental health issues are treatable, so it is important for you to get help if you experience unpleasant feelings.
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