Mental health entails our psychological, emotional, and social well-being that affects how one feels, thinks, or acts in daily life. Statistics conclude that 1 in 5 people in the country suffers from some form of mental health illness. About 10.6% of youth battle with depression, a common form of mental health disorder. Most mental health conditions are curable. Here are some common types of disorders, their causes, and tips to improve overall mental health.

Types of mental health disorders
There are many types of mental health disorders, but some of the common ones are:
Anxiety disorders: Anxiety is the crippling sensation or fear one gets that impairs their ability to think or act normally. It often leads to panic attacks and phobias.

Depression: Another common disorder is depression. An individual suffering from chronic depression finds it near-impossible to function normally, connect with people, find the will to live or perform simple tasks like waking up or brushing their teeth. They are plagued by a persistent feeling of sadness for no particular reason.

Eating disorders: People with eating disorders have an unhealthy relationship with food. It is characterized by an unhealthy obsession over one’s body image and can lead a person to purge or overeat.

Bipolar disorder: It is primarily characterized by sudden changes in the moods of an individual. Bipolar patients often experience maniacal highs and depressive lows.

Schizophrenia: It is a disorder that takes control of an individual’s decision-making capacity, rational thoughts, empathetic emotions, and sense of relating to others. It is more common in people between the ages of 12 and 40.

OCD: OCD is an obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD characterized by recurrent intrusive thoughts and unreasonable urges to engage in specific repetitive actions. Individuals suffering from OCD are often aware of their behavioral and compulsive thought patterns but are unable to control them.

ADHD: Commonly seen in children aged 3 to 7, ADHD refers to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. People with ADHD have trouble concentrating, organizing, and controlling their impulses. They are usually forgetful, restless, and hyperactive.

PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder is seen in those who have unresolved childhood traumas or in individuals who suffer from unpleasant life-altering events like accidents, abuse, or natural calamity.

What affects one’s mental health?
Childhood traumas, sudden tragic loss of a loved one, bullying or assault, prolonged exposure to familial conflicts or war situations, life-altering experiences like an accident, and chronic illnesses are common risk factors that deteriorate one’s mental health.

Early signs of mental health disorders
Many mental health disorders share common symptoms. One may experience emotional numbness, loss of appetite or an urge to overeat, lack of energy, sleep deprivation, or constant hopelessness. The relationships can also take a hit. One finds a crippling inability to connect with others and battles with self-sabotaging thoughts. Other early signs may include reckless behavior, forgetfulness, irrational fears, and hallucinations. The psychological disturbances can lead to one’s loss of focus or drive to live or perform any activity.

How mental health affects one’s physical body
Mental health disorders primarily cause cognitive impairment and behavioral and emotional instability in people. If left untreated for a long time, they can manifest physically in the form of unexplained pains and aches and lowered immunity and metabolism. Earring disorders can lead to losing muscle and body mass and chronic nutrient deficiencies. Anxiety disorders can adversely affect one’s heart health. Studies have shown that those who suffer from depression have a 40% higher chance of developing chronic heart diseases.

How is mental health diagnosed?
Mental health conditions are diagnosed using a variety of tests. The first one usually includes an online written self-assessment test. A medical expert then diagnoses one’s condition using lab tests to check thyroid function, physical examination, and psychological evaluation to determine one’s behavioral patterns and environmental factors affecting them. Depending on the severity of the disorder, an expert can suggest anything from psychotherapy, brain stimulation, and oral treatments to rehab and hospitalization.

How to improve mental health?
If one experiences any of the aforementioned symptoms, one can start taking smaller steps to find a better balance in life. Starting with emotional well-being, one can practice journaling or talk to a trusted friend or family member to empty oneself of intrusive and self-sabotaging thoughts. Apart from that, exercising is a great way to regularize one’s sleep cycle and enhance physical well-being. It releases feel-good endorphins. They, in turn, help to relieve stress, boost one’s mood, promote neural growth, energize one’s body, and even break out from the cycle of negativity.

Additionally, meditation and yoga can help one find emotional, physical, and psychological balance. Healthy eating habits help tremendously in regulating moods and improving one’s outlook on life. If symptoms persist for a long time, one is advised to seek professional help without delay. Most mental health patients lead healthy and normal lives with proper care, support, and medical assistance.