Mental health encompasses both physical and emotional well being. It impacts how you think, feel, and behave. It influences how successfully manage stress, relate to others, make decisions, and handle anxiety. Mental health is critical at all stages of life, starting from childhood and adolescence to adulthood.
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the development of mental health problems. These can include biological factors such as genes and brain chemistry, environmental factors such as toxins in the environment, or social factors such as negative interpersonal relationships and traumatic events. The degree to which any of these factors influence a person is dependent on their age, genetics, brain chemistry, and level of coping skills. While there is no one solution for everyone, there are a number of proven strategies to deal with each unique type of challenge. Here are some of the most common mental health problems in children and adolescents:
Depression and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This is one of the biggest problems affecting adolescents and young adults today. In one study conducted by Kaiser Permanente researchers, interviewed 615 adolescents and found that more than half had symptoms of depression and more than a quarter had symptoms of both depression and ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD ranged from lack of concentration and hyperactivity to impulsivity and distractibility. Only half of the participants with ADHD showed any significant improvement in one or more of the four areas addressing the ADHD definition.
Anxiety and Psychotic Disorders: Symptoms can include restlessness, excessive sweating, inability to sleep, feelings of paranoia and derealization, and feelings of being disconnected from one’s surroundings or thoughts. As noted, the presence of physical symptoms can mask other mental health problems. Someone who has never been depressed may have classic signs of anxiety, including restlessness and excessive sweating. If the physical symptoms worsen with no treatment, they can indicate a need for treatment.
Bipolar Disorder: Those with Bipolar Disorder have a profound emotional disturbance that involves mood swings of extreme elation and extreme sadness. This disorder usually begins during adolescence, but it can affect people even into adulthood. Bipolar Disorder is one of the most difficult to live with as the patients must learn to cope with both manic episodes and depressive episodes. In a manic episode, the person is extremely productive, talkative, argumentative, excited, irritable, and self-centered. In a depressive episode, the person will be sad, listless, apathetic, restless, or depressed.
Anxiety and Psychotic Disorders: A third set of mental health problems affects those who are not familiar with the term “depressive or manic depressive disorder”. The diagnosis is actually divided into two different categories, which are Panic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. People who suffer from Panic Disorder experience intense, sudden feelings of fear, which interfere with their everyday activities. Overeating, exercising, or using drugs excessively are common among people who suffer from Panic Disorder.
Social Phobia: The term Social Phobia means fear of being evaluated or judged by others. It can have long-term consequences by preventing people from holding careers, getting along with friends, or dating. Many people may go to great lengths to avoid situations where they may have to discuss their social phobia with others. Some even move to a new town or state in order to avoid the situations that cause them discomfort.
These are three of the most common types of mental health conditions that affect millions of Americans each year. Because these conditions vary so greatly from patient to patient, there is no one definition of what a patient might experience. Doctors will often treat patients for a particular mental health problem based on their medical history as well as their reaction to treatment. In addition, a person’s diet, lifestyle, mental health treatment, sleep quality and other habits can all play a role in their mood and well-being, as well as their overall health and happiness.