Mental health disorder is a clinical condition marked by a disturbance in the behaviour of a person, which affects their psychological, social, and emotional well-being. Such a condition stems from distress or impairment in functioning, which sometimes leads to self-harm.
According to a study conducted in 2019, one in eight people, or 970 million people globally, are afflicted with mental disorders. Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common among the 200-odd known types of mental disorders.
What is the Meaning of Mental Health Disorders?
Adversities in life, including poverty, physical violence, disability, and inequality, often lead to disturbances in a person's ability to perceive, think, and act.
So, what is mental health disorder commonly referred to as?
Over-exposure to trauma and disturbance starts affecting a person's cognitive, emotional, and behavioural health, leading to mental health disorder.
A person from any gender, background or ethnicity can get afflicted with behavioural health disorder.
Examples of mental illness include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating disorders
- Anger issues
- Depression
- Addictive behaviours
- Schizophrenia
- Personality disorders
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Mental disorders can have various origins, including
- Abnormal genes
- Chemical imbalances in mind
- Excessive use of alcohol or recreational drugs
- Improper nutrition
- Lack of support from family and friends
- Hereditary or traumatic birth conditions
- Neurological disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Extreme stress
- Traumatic brain injury
- Abusive history
Is mental disorder treatable?
People with mental disorders require professional and social support from society and family. Effective prevention and medical treatment options do exist in the clinical world, which can treat most mental disorder conditions. However, many people don't have access to effective care, which means many conditions are left untreated, and affected individuals start experiencing stigma and discrimination.
A healthcare services provider specialises in treating mental disorder conditions and provides accurate diagnoses. They review the symptoms to evaluate the mental health of the patient. They also conduct tests such as bloodwork or imaging exams to check out the reason behind a patient’s mental issues.
Treatment can include:
- Medication anti-depressants and antipsychotics
- Psychotherapy, which may consist of cognitive behavioural therapy
- Alternative therapies such as herbal remedies, exercising, massage, yoga, or meditation in case of depression
- Brain stimulation therapies such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Conclusion
Mental disorder conditions are not preventable. However, early detection of symptoms helps in managing the illness with the proper treatment. You will need a financial backup plan in the form of healthcare insurance coverage if any near or dear one is struggling against mental health disorders. So, be proactive, and get a health insurance plan as a safety net from unforeseen circumstances.