Most people have no hesitation when it comes to telling their boss that they can’t come in to work because they have the flu. The majority of people understand that physical illnesses happen to everyone. It is rare for anyone to tell their boss, however, that they can’t make it to work because they’re having a panic attack.
Mental illnesses are often not talked about because of the social stigma surrounding them. In fact, it was only until fairly recently that we talked about them at all.
Because people are so reluctant to discuss their mental illnesses, sufferers often wrongly believe that they are suffering alone — or that reaching out for help is an admission of moral failing. The greatest danger of not seeking treatment for these disorders is that, like any disease, they tend to develop and worsen over time.
When people try to treat the symptoms of their mental illnesses alone, they often resort to self-soothing techniques that can be harmful. These coping mechanisms can lead to the development of eating disorders or substance abuse problems.
In point of fact, according to the World Health Organization, mental illnesses affect one in every four people. Let’s take a look at the five most common mental illnesses.
Top 5 Most Common Mental Illnesses
1. Major Depressive Disorder
Often known as clinical depression, major depressive disorder is not the same as sadness. Experiencing sadness is part of being human. Major depressive disorder is a more intense experience of sadness that often lasts for extended periods of time and impacts proper functioning, such as eating and sleep habits.
Depression can have catastrophic effects on relationships, employment, and family life. Most concerning, it is one of the most common factors leading to suicide. This is because people with depression often feel that life is not worth living.
While it is not known what causes major depressive disorder, physicians point out several factors that play a large role:
- Brain chemistry
- Genetics
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Certain medical conditions
- Hormone imbalances
2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
People with generalized anxiety disorder find their functioning significantly impaired by excessive worrying. Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include:
- Feeling nervous, restless or tense
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
- Having trouble sleeping
- Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
- Having difficulty controlling worry
- Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
3. Panic Disorder
Panic disorder, which is closely related to generalized anxiety disorder, tends to occur in a more concentrated fashion. Sufferers experience short periodic episodes of extremely intense anxiety. These episodes are known as “panic attacks” and the symptoms can be so severe that they are often mistaken for panic attacks.
Symptoms of a panic attack include:
- feelings of impending doom
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- a rapid, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations)
One of the most difficult aspects of panic disorder is that sufferers often experience an extreme and debilitating dread of having a panic attack. Even when sufferers go months or years without having one, the anxiety that comes from anticipating them can itself be a source of profound misery.
4. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, experience obsessions and compulsions that make functioning normally difficult. Obsessions are thoughts or mental images that become fixations and cause anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors and actions that OCD sufferers are driven to carry out as a way of responding to an obsessive thought.
Common compulsions include:
- Fear of germs or contamination
- Unwanted forbidden or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or harm
- Aggressive thoughts towards others or self
- Having things symmetrical or in a perfect order
Common obsessions include:
- Excessive cleaning and/or handwashing
- Ordering and arranging things in a particular, precise way
- Repeatedly checking on things, such as repeatedly checking to see if the door is locked or that the oven is off
- Compulsive counting
5. Specific Phobias
Specific phobias are overwhelming and irrational fears of specific objects or even concepts that pose no real threat.
- Situations, such as airplanes, enclosed spaces or going to school
- Natural phenomena, such as thunderstorms or heights
- Animals or insects, such as dogs or spiders
- Blood, injection or injury, such as needles, accidents or medical procedures
- Others, such as choking, vomiting, loud noises or clowns
Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Disorders
Co-morbidity is a term mental health professionals use to refer to the presence of two or more diagnosed mental disorders in the same person. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it also implies that these disorders interact with each other.
This is an important concept to keep in mind when considering substance abuse, which is often both a self-administered treatment for and causal factor for many mental illnesses. While psychotherapy can often be sufficient treatment for a mental health disorder, cases of co-morbidity often demand more intense treatments.
Recovery programs such as sober livings and rehabs can give sufferers the support they need to help with their mental illnesses, substance abuse problems, and restructure lives to prevent relapse.
Get Help with Recovery Programs in Design for Recovery
Mental illness is a common and serious issue that can impact an individual’s life in many ways. At Design for Recovery, our sober apartments in Los Angeles provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals struggling with mental illness to address their condition and work towards lasting recovery. Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental illnesses, and they can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. Our team of trained professionals provides evidence-based addiction treatment that includes therapy, support groups, and life skills training to help individuals overcome their mental health challenges and achieve lasting recovery. We work with our residents to develop personalized treatment plans that address their unique needs and help them build healthy coping mechanisms. Our goal is to help our residents achieve a better quality of life free from the grip of mental illness, and to support them as they navigate the challenges of recovery and move forward towards a brighter future. Through our comprehensive approach to addiction treatment and support, we help our residents overcome the challenges they face and achieve their goals for recovery and wellness.
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