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Mental Health
Awareness
By Dianne Pettis
The Truth Contributor
I can remember wanting to
take a “Mental Health Day” off from work…actually many
mental health days when I worked at a particularly stressful
job. Three of my co-workers ended up as patients on the
psychiatric unit. I got to see and experience first-hand
that thin line between sanity and mental illness.
According to the World Health Organization, Mental
Health is defined as, “a state of well-being in which
the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope
with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and
fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her
community.”
Twenty-five percent of adults don’t experience a life
like this during a given year. The statistics show that 50
percent of adults will develop at least one mental illness
condition in their lifetime.
Mental Illness is defined as a diagnosable
condition that is distressing; and affects thinking,
feeling, the ability to function daily and the ability to
relate to others. Friends, family, and community are also
affected when a person has a mental illness.
There are many types of mental conditions; some more
severe than others. It’s all relative, though. Managing
the symptoms and affects can be a daily struggle. Some
people I’ve talked with who are living with mental illness
say it’s hard to explain what they are going through; they
feel alone and ashamed.
Some of the more common diagnoses are borderline
personality disorder, disassociation disorder,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress
disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder,
autism and eating disorders.
Many disorders begin in late teen and early adulthood;
of course there are exceptions. Mental illness can be very
complex to figure out and treat because there are many
variables causing the onset: genetics, the living
environment, lifestyle habits, situational stressors,
traumatic events, biochemical processes and brain structure.
I will highlight Anxiety in this article since
it is one of the most common mental health issues in the
United States. Everyone gets anxious at times, but there is
a problem if fear and worry is persistent, keeps you from
doing daily activities, and is intense in situations that
are not threatening – or shouldn’t be threatening. Feelings
are fear, dread, expecting the worst, and feeling the need
to look for danger.
Anxiety symptoms are tension, jumpiness,
restlessness, irritability, increased heart rate, shortness
of breath, stomach upset, sweating tremors, twitching,
headaches, trouble sleeping, and fatigue. Some symptoms can
be so severe that the person can actually feel like they are
having a heart attack, as with panic attacks.
Other types of anxiety disorders are phobias,
generalized anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder and
separation anxiety. With all of these disorders, there is a
strong, extreme or exaggerated response to a situation.
Before treatment can begin, one needs to have a
complete physical exam, since some symptoms of physical
ailments, can either mimic or cause mental illness symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by a trained specialist is
helpful in managing symptoms and pave the way for recovery.
Many times anti-anxiety or anti-depression medications
are used. Techniques to help with relaxation should also be
a part of the treatment plan. Family should also be involved
in the plan for support.
There are many organizations to contact if you or a
loved one is concerned about mental illness. There is a
mental health screen at mhascreening.org. There are
helpful worksheets at mentalhealthamerica.net.
Of course the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
is an excellent resource for people and families affected by
mental illness. Their informative website is NAMIohio.org.
Remember you are not alone. Reach out and get help. There is
no shame in seeking care for yourself.
Dianne Hart Pettis, CRNP
724-375-7519
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