Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It has intrinsic and instrumental value which is integral to our well-being.
Nowadays, mental health has become a more casual topic, with terms like “depression” and “anxiety” often used informally in everyday conversations. While this underscores the need for accurate understanding and professional diagnosis. On the contrary, mental health remains a stigmatized topic in many parts of India, often associated with shame and secrecy.
People with mental health issues face social ostracism, and seeking professional help is viewed as a sign of weakness. This persistent stigma prevents many from accessing the care and support they need. Hence, it is high time people need to understand the importance and timing of seeking professional therapy.
Mental Health
The term “mental” relates to the mind. The brain is the organ that serves as the centre of the nervous system and is the sole controller of our whole bodily functions.
We often worry about our physical health and consult a doctor when we feel pain, notice a rise in body temperature, or observe any unusual structures or patches on our body. However, mental health, which is just as important as physical health, is often overlooked.
Changes in behaviour can indicate issues with mental health. Just because we cannot see the symptoms with our eyes does not mean we should neglect our mental health. Our brain controls the entire body, transmitting signals to different parts and organs.
Therefore, if the brain is unwell, it will affect physical health. Our mental health is directly proportionate to our physical health, and it should be taken care of accordingly.
If a person is suffering from any mental illness, there is a high chance that there will be a change in their behaviour. There will be a change in their behaviour towards others, and they may harm themselves too. They will be deprived of sleep and always have stressful thoughts in their mind.
All these symptoms will adversely affect their whole lifestyle. They will end up with severe headaches, which will make them physically weak. Deprivation of sleep will result in a lack of productivity, zero concentration, and no progress in their life if they don’t take care of their well-being.
These depressive thoughts will become a part of their lifestyle, creating a loop that traps them, often resulting in wrong decisions or abnormal behaviour. There is a high chance that a person will waste their life in this loop of depressive thoughts, neglecting to take care of their mental well-being. Hence, in this manner, mental health influences the lifestyle of a person.
Also Read: From Roasts to Rights: Carryminati Saga and Demand For Content Creators Law?
Staggering Statistics Reveal the Burden
Call for therapy!
What are the real symptoms of mental disorders?
Mental disorders encompass a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. Common symptoms of these conditions include persistent sadness or hopelessness, excessive worry or fear, extreme mood changes, withdrawal from social activities, significant changes in eating or sleeping patterns, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
Physical symptoms like unexplained aches and pains, as well as severe mood swings that affect relationships and daily functioning, are also indicative of potential mental health issues. If feelings of sadness or anxiety persist for weeks or months, or if coping mechanisms such as self-medication with alcohol or drugs emerge, seeking professional help is crucial.
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide require immediate intervention. Moreover, if an individual experiences hallucinations, delusions, or extreme paranoia, consulting a mental health professional is essential.
What exactly happens in therapies?
Therapists are the one who are licensed mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counsellors. The specific approach and duration of therapy depend on the individual’s needs and the nature of their mental disorder.
Here are a few common processes which are done by therapists to know a patient’s condition.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours. Patients work with therapists to challenge irrational thoughts and develop healthier thinking and coping strategies.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of CBT that emphasizes balancing acceptance and change. It is particularly effective for borderline personality disorder and involves mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: This therapy explores unconscious processes and past experiences affecting current behaviour. It aims to increase self-awareness and understand the influence of the past on present behaviour.
- Humanistic Therapy: Focuses on self-development, growth, and responsibilities. Therapists provide a supportive environment to help patients achieve their full potential.
- Medication Management: In some cases, medication is prescribed to manage symptoms of mental disorders. This is often combined with therapy.
- Group Therapy: Involves one or more therapists working with several people at the same time. It helps patients gain support and perspective from others with similar issues.
- Family Therapy: Addresses family dynamics and aims to improve communication and resolve conflicts within the family unit.
Also Read: By the Memes, For The People?
Is Self-Diagnosis Justifiable?
Self-diagnosis, particularly regarding mental health, is a contentious issue. While the accessibility of information online has empowered individuals to understand and recognize potential symptoms, it also has significant pitfalls.
On one hand, self-diagnosis can be beneficial. It allows individuals to become more aware of their mental health and recognize when something might be wrong. This awareness can lead to early intervention, encouraging people to seek professional help sooner than they might have otherwise.
However, there are significant drawbacks. Self-diagnosis often lacks accuracy because it is based on limited information and without the expertise needed to interpret symptoms correctly. Mental health conditions can be complex and nuanced, often requiring a professional’s assessment to differentiate between similar symptoms and to consider the individual’s full medical history and context.
Self-diagnosis often leads to misguidance. People may attribute temporary stress, chronic pain disorders, headaches, etc., to a mental disorder. Sometimes, the information available on the internet makes them assume they can treat themselves, leading to delayed access to potentially life-changing support from a therapist.
While self-diagnosis can play a role in increasing awareness and encouraging early intervention, it is not a substitute for professional evaluation and treatment. It is crucial for individuals to approach self-diagnosis with caution and to seek professional advice to ensure they receive accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
Case Study of a Successful Therapy
Mental health is still a taboo or a misguided topic among the folks. People often don’t believe in such therapies, here an example illustrates how a lady named Jane overcame her depression.
Background: Jane, a 35-year-old woman, had been experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities she once enjoyed. Her symptoms had been ongoing for several months, affecting her work performance and relationships.
She often felt fatigued and had trouble sleeping. After consulting her primary care physician, she was referred to a licensed clinical psychologist for therapy.
During the initial sessions, Jane’s therapist conducted a thorough assessment to understand her symptoms, medical history, and personal circumstances. Jane was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The therapist explained the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and how it could help her.
- Goal Setting
- Identifying negative thought patterns
- Cognitive restructuring
- Behavioural Activation
- Skill building
- Home- assignments: Here therapists ask the patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle by practising dairy, exercising, engaging in scheduled activities and also reinforcing the skills learned in therapy.
Outcome: After 16 weeks of CBT, Jane showed significant improvement. Her depressive symptoms reduced considerably, and she reported feeling more hopeful and motivated. Her sleep patterns normalized, and she re-engaged with her social circle and hobbies. Follow-up assessments indicated sustained progress.
Conclusion: Jane’s case demonstrates how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can effectively treat major depressive disorder by addressing negative thought patterns and encouraging positive behavioural changes. The structured, goal-oriented approach of CBT, combined with the active involvement of the patient, was key to the successful outcome.
There are many such therapies by great therapists who have changed much dull and depressed life into a happy and successful life. But, nowadays, some people are using mental health as a casual excuse which is affecting the conditions of the real ones. (Source: Psychology, Robert A. Baron 5th Edition)
Everybody is Mentally ill!
Nowadays, “depression” and “anxiety” are very casual words, and every second person claims to be suffering from them. For example, youths popularly known as Gen Z have multiple hobbies along with their academics, but they don’t know how to manage them.
Instead of practising time management or being disciplined, they procrastinate, overthink unnecessarily, and most importantly, instead of sorting out things by themselves, they end up scrolling YouTube to find a solution. When things don’t work their way, they end up crying and claim to be depressed and suffering from anxiety. However, that’s not depression or anxiety; it’s just that they lack discipline in their life.
On the contrary, there are also youths who are not serious or don’t have any future plans. They waste their time gossiping and looking for random videos that can give them solutions instead of figuring things out or working on themselves. This habit results in wasted time, and when the time is over, they again claim to be depressed and end up feeling hopeless.
This lack of discipline and unhealthy lifestyle problem affects people of every generation. Instead of adopting a healthy and disciplined lifestyle, they procrastinate all day and overthink all night, which leads to sleep deprivation.
This cycle continues in a loop, resulting in less productivity and zero progress. People claim this abnormal habit as depression or anxiety and defend themselves by getting addicted to some harmful habits like smoking, drugs, etc.
Conclusion
This article delved into the importance of mental health and the essentiality of therapy. It’s time for a “Call for Action”, we need to prioritise our mental health just as our physical health. Mental health is crucial for overall well-being, affecting every aspect of our lives, including relationships, work, and daily functioning.
Timely therapy can address mental health issues effectively, preventing them from worsening and improving quality of life. Therapy helps individuals develop coping strategies and healthier thought patterns. Prioritizing mental health and seeking therapy when needed is essential for leading a balanced and fulfilling life.
Authored by Krithika Gupta, a 1st year Law student at Calcutta University.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! Please share this article if you enjoyed it. Also, you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to get more interesting articles.