Research has shown that 42.5 million Americans in one way or the other are mentally ill. Mental disorder has become a common sight to see, even celebrities and famous personalities suffers from this type of diseases. Countless medical and psychology experts have tried to explain the underlying reasons and causes and even proffer solutions, but that has not in any way reduced the consistent rise in the numbers of mental health cases.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a disturbing report some time ago. The report showed that approximately 9.3 million American adults between the ages of 18 to 70 are suffering from one form of mental disorder or the other. These mental issues vary in scope and effect but are all capable of limiting overall human output.
There is no form of healthy living information or tip that can be effective in humans if their mental health is not balanced. Mental health is central to general health as it can affect the overall health condition of a person because of its connection to the command center of the body; the brain.
Mental illness is diagnosed using the standard of the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, popularly known as DSM-IV. Mental illness can occur as a result of genetic patterns, bad experiences, heightened stress levels, etc. In the U.S, Suicide acts in are direct implications of the state of mental disorders prevalent in the country. It is on record that more than 90 percent of people that commit suicide suffer from mental disorders.
It is always good to identify mental disorders in the early stage through its common symptoms in order to address it at that stage before it expands and becomes a stronghold. I am going to use this opportunity to expose some common mental disorders in America and the symptoms associated.
1) Schizophrenia
A mental disorder common to teenagers and young adults, mostly between the ages of 16-30. It is characterized by delusion, cognitive difficulties, and hallucinations. Its symptoms are often masqueraded as a positive disposition or characters like delusions and hallucinations. Lack of motivation, the absence of facial expression is also symptomatic of Schizophrenia. Incoherence in thought patterns and speech presentation is also a typical symptom of this mental illness. Approximately 1.1% of the American population suffers from Schizophrenia.
2) Depressive Disorders
A composition of bipolar disorder, dysthymic disorder, and other major depressions. Bipolar disorder is a common mental disorder in the U.S.
People who suffer from it experience unusual and constant mood changes. They feel normal in between as they can go from happy to sad and then back to back again. The up mood is called mania whereas the down mood is called depression. Bipolar disorder is one of the major causes of suicide in the U.S. Approximately 16.1 million Americans suffer from depressive disorders like Bipolar disorder. Women are more prone to suffer depressive disorders than men because of their sensitive emotional nature. Its symptoms are a loss of energy and persistent lethargy, recurring thoughts of deaths and suicide, unexplained crying spells, prolonged sadness, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, etc.
3) Alzheimer’s Disease
The major cause of dementia in the United States. Dementia is a set of symptoms that consist of issues like memory loss, difficulties with thinking, language and speaking, etc. Alzheimer’s disease is a slowly progressive disease of the brain. Its likelihood of occurrence becomes more probable at the age of 70. It affects approximately 4 million Americans. It is a life-threatening mental disorder that causes the brain cells to degenerate and dies causing a consistent decline in mental function. It can last for about 10 years before giving the stroke of death to its victim. Its symptoms are things like difficulty in writing and speaking, losing or misplacing items, poor judgment, challenges with performing familiar tasks, etc.
For more facts about this disease, please visit Being Patient’s website.
4) Autism
A neurological and developmental disorder that occurs early in childhood and sustains throughout a person’s life. It is called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). It affects the communication structure and the learning faculty of a person. It affects 1 out of every 68 of adolescents within the age of 6-9 years. It is more common in boys than girls. The symptoms are easily noticeable and obvious. Some of the symptoms are repetitive behaviors, sleep dysfunction, sensory processing problems, seizures, etc.
5) Anxiety Disorders
Approximately 35% of Americans suffer from Anxiety Disorders. It includes disorders such as Phobias, Post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc. It has been discovered that some persons suffer from more than one Anxiety disorder with women being more susceptible to them. It can co-occur with substance abuse, depressive disorders, or eating disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most common forms of Anxiety disorders. It is a mental health problem that some persons develop after experiencing a life-threatening event. Its symptoms are nightmares, negative flashbacks, and thoughts, hyperarousal, avoidance, and isolation, etc.
Any person experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptom or illness should quickly visit a specialist that is skilled in that field of medical practice.