Mental Health and Illness

Mental Illness or mental disorder is defined in psychiatry as a mental condition which is abnormal, unusual, uncommon and unconventional. Mental Health when disrupted leads to Mental Illness. Mental Illness may include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and personality disorders. It is difficult to combat Mental Illness. To answer your queries on Mental Health and Illness, we have a list of Mental Health and Illness Questions.

1. How do I know that I am suffering from depression?

The best way to identify depression is to take a screening test. This is a confidential test which you can take on the internet or by visiting a doctor. Consult a psychiatrist if the problem of depression continues.

2. What is clinical depression?

Clinical Depression is a physical illness with many symptoms such as unhappy mood, mood swings, dark feelings, frustration, illogical and sudden anger. Clinical depression can linger for weeks, months or even years. Consulting a psychiatrist helps to overcome clinical depression.

3. Is lack of sleep a kind of Mental Illness?

Lack of sleep can be very annoying and depressing at the same time. If this condition lingers for long periods then it may lead to mental illness. Human beings need at least 7 hours of good sleep every day. Try and get that amount of sleep. Consult a doctor if insomnia or sleeplessness continues for long.

4. What causes depression?

You will be surprised to know that most mental illnesses are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Neurotransmitters in the brain facilitate communication between nerve cells. If there is a breakdown in this communication, the result can be depression.

5. Is both medicine and therapy needed to overcome mental illness?

That depends upon the intensity and severity of your depression and its causes. It can best be decided by your doctor whether therapy alone, medication alone or therapy and medication together can overcome mental illness.

6. What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects men and women. It is a common mental illness in city areas and in some minority ethnic groups. Schizophrenia can affect anyone between the age of 35 and 65 years.

7. What is Post Natal Depression?

Postnatal Depression is the depression that affects a mother after she has a baby. It is very common after delivery. Postnatal Depression makes a mother feel depressed about the hassles of child care and at the same time she feels guilty about it. Doctor should be consulted in such cases.

8. What is Post Traumatic Depression?

A sudden illness, shock, trauma or accident can lead to severe mental disorders. This is known as Post Traumatic Depression. It can lead to dazed condition, numb feelings and stunned thoughts.