Mental Illness

Mental Illness: Anxiety & Depression

What is Mental Illness?

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), mental illness(es) is defined as "health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these)" and "are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities." In most cases, mental illness is treatable and is very common both domestic and internationally. It is estimated that almost 1 in 5 of adults, which is roughly 19%, in the United States experience at least some form of mental health, and that 1 in 24 (approximately 4.1%) is diagnosed with a serious case of mental illness. 

What are Anxiety Disorders?

The word anxiety “refers to anticipation of a future concern and is more associated with muscle tension and avoidance behaviour” and a common simultaneous emotion that an individual feels while experiencing anxiety is fear, which “is an emotional response to an immediate threat and is more associated with a fight or flight reaction.” To have anxiety is normal as it is a regular reaction to any form of stress the individual might encounter, and can be beneficial in certain cases as it can warn the person of any potential dangers which can allow them to prepare and be aware, but when there is an excessive amount of anxiousness and fear, the reaction ceases to be normal and has become abnormal. Anxiety disorders are one of the many categories that falls under mental health, and differs from regular anxiety reactions by amplifying the discomforting feelings the person may be experiencing with an excessive amount of fear and nervousness. There are several subcategories of anxiety disorders, and they are:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder; which involves pesistent and excessive worries which interferes with daily activities.
• Panic Disorder; which are overwhelminh combination of physical and psychological distress.
• Phobias/Specific Phobia; an excessive and persistent fear of a specific object, situation or activity.
• Agoraphobia; which is the fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing.
• Social Anxiety Disorder; which individuals have a persistent fear about being embarrassed, humiliated, rejected ot looked down on in social situations.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder; which individuals are persistently fearful or anxious about being separated from whom they feel attached to.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness people experience and can be crippling for some people as it will affect their job performance, school and personal relationships. 

What is Depression?

Just like anxiety disorder, depression is one of the many categories of mental illness and is also treatable. It is a major mental illness, and is also a common disorder that negatively impacts the way you feel, think and act. Depression will cause feelings of sadness and may contribute to a severe drop in formerly enjoyed activities or hobbies and can lead to various emotions and physical problems. The common misconception that people have for depression is just someone being sad. Being sad is not the same as having depression. An example of the difference between being sad and having depression, is when someone is sad or in grief, a person’s self-esteem and self-maintenance is usually kept and maintained, whereas someone who experiences depression, will constantly feels worthless and may lead to feelings of self-loathe, which will ultimately lead to self-neglect. Symptoms of can vary from mild to severe which can include:

• Feeling upset or having a depressed mood
• Loss of interest in once enjoyed activities
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Trouble going to bed or getting out of bed
• Increase in exhaustion
• Feeling of worthlessness or guilt
• Lack of concentration 
• Suicidal thoughts

Depression commonly first appears during the late teens to the mid-20s and are more likely to affect women than men. It is estimated that 1 in 15 adults (6.7%) are affected by depression per year on any given year, and that 1 in 6 (16.6%) will experience depression some time during their life.

What are the potential causes of these mental issues?

There are several factors that cause a person to have depression. The few factors that are identified to have a direct correlation to someone having depression are:

• Biochemistry; which can be caused by a chemical imbalance im the brain leading to individuals having depression.
• Genetics; which can be passed on from parents to their offspring
• Personality; in which individuals who are originally pessimistic in nature and/or have low self-esteem can be overwhelmed with stress which leads to having depression.
• Environmental Factors; in which an individual who are exposed to abusive environments or high stress environments would likely be vulnerable to depression.

As of right now, the exact cause for anxiety disorders are unknown, but just like depression, it is believed to involve various or a combination of factors such as genetics, environmental, psychological, developmental, and can be on to the next generation which suggests that the disorder can be passed through a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

What is the trend of the issue over past years?

As mentioned before the common first encounter an individual will ever with mental health would be in their late teens to their mid-20s. A study conducted by Mental Health America shows that youth mental health is worsening with an increase from 5.9% of individuals affected by mental health in 2012 to 8.2% of individuals in 2015. That is an increase of 2.3% in the span of 3 years, and the number of people affected is large enough that you can fill every major league baseball stadium on the east coast twice.

What are the possible reason for the rise in mental issues?

One of the many reasons why the numbers for individuals impacted and affected by mental illness is worsening is because of the stigma that surrounds the issue. Many of the time those affected are afraid to speak out because there is a lack of compassion for those who suffer from mental health as they are seen as ungrateful, or weak for opening up and being vulnerable when talking about the situation. The negative stigma that surrounds the topic, like the ones mentioned above are reasons why those affected are afraid to speak up and in turn suppressing and internalizing the way they feel, which ultimately can lead to them being a danger to themselves. Another reason why the numbers are rising is because there is a lack of access to treatment or a lack of treatment options available for those affected. The study conducted by Mental Health America shows that approximately 76% of youth are left with no or insufficient treatment and roughly 56% of adults in America who has some form of mental health do not receive the treatment they deserve.

If left untreated, what could Anxiety and Depression lead to?

With a lack of treatment, individuals who are affected have an increased risk of having medical conditions that are chronic, and these treatable medical conditions, that are left untreated will put the affected at risk at dying approximately 25 years earlier than others. If left untreated, it could result in death by suicide, which is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and is shockingly the 2nd leading cause of death for those ages 10-34. Veterans who come back from war experiences some form of mental illness and it is estimated that on average 18-22 veterans die from suicide everyday and 90% of people who die from suicide had showed symptoms of mental health.

What could be done to combat mental health?

There are many ways to combat the rising numbers of mental health, and the initial step that we should take socially, before we increase the accessibility to treatment is to remove the stigma that surrounds this issue. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has provided very inciteful ways to help remove the stigma and they are:

• Talk Openly About Mental Health
• Educate Yourself and Other [about the issue]
• Be concious of [the] language [you’re using]
• Encourage Equality Between Physical and Mental Illness
• Show Compassion [and understanding] for those with mental illness
• Choose empowerment over shame
• Be honest about [your] treatment
• Let the media know when they’re being stigmatizing
• Don’t harbor self-stigma

How is this topic relevant to me?

This topic is relevant to me because, I for a long time, and still is, suffering from anxiety and depression. For the longest time, I didn’t know why I had trouble sleeping at night, trouble concentrating at school, or why I had no care my own well-being. I just thought it was because I was lazy until I had a phone call with a really good friend from high school who only recently went to a psychologist prior to that call, regarding his own mental health, did I realize that my symptoms were exactly like his. When the phone call ended I realized that I have been suffering from mental illness, specifically anxiety and depression. I hit my lowest at the end of 2016, when I allowed myself to balloon up to 260lbs and towards the end of that year all I had in my mind everyday waking up was, today was the day I took my own life. During that time, all I saw was black, nothing appealed to me, the things that were making me happy no longer interested me, and I was sure that it was my time. Only recently have I found an interest and a hobby that has allowed me the escape the thoughts and only recently have I been able to manage my own brain. I was lucky enough to escape the darkness that never seemed to end, whereas others weren’t.

Community Affected

"Depression is a silent killer. It’s something that even though we may not be aware of can be inflicting psychological pain to others. The best way to help someone going through depression is to sit down and talk to them" - Andres G.

"Mental health is very concerning topic, as you can go about your day and see someone happy and smiling, but not know the demons they are battling inside everyday. Those who are dealing with mental illnesses put up a front, as it is easier to do so than admitting or talking about their struggles. Speaking up and recognizing signs immediately, is the most important thing you can do as it could be too late if you decide to wait." - Brian M. V.

"Anxiety and depression are the worst drivers of self-loathing and personal development. Poor mental health creates a person who finds many of their individual traits a bear on others and creates a personality that becomes toxic for others to welcome. While there are many initiatives improve mental stability the first step is to release the notion of competing against others and truly loving yourself no matter the circumstances. It is easier said than done but seeking professional help when you are finding tendencies of isolation and self-deprecating conversations on a consistent basis" - Luis R.

Resources:

- “What Is Mental Illness?” American Psychiatric Association, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness.

- “What Are Anxiety Disorders?” American Psychiatric Association, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders.

- “What Is Depression?” American Psychiatric Association, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression.

- “The State of Mental Health in America 2018.” Mental Health America, 31 Oct. 2018, www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/state-mental-health-america-2018.

- “Mental Health By the Numbers.” NAMI, www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers.

- “9 Ways to Fight Mental Health Stigma.” NAMI, www.nami.org/blogs/nami-blog/october-2017/9-ways-to-fight-mental-health-stigma.