Department of Mental Health

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is characterised as a state of well-being in which the individual can make a contribution to his or her community, realise his or her abilities, and cope with the normal stresses of life. Mental health is the foundation of our entire well-being, yet it often gets lost in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. Our mental health includes all aspects of our social, emotional, and psychological well-being. It influences how we respond to stress, interact with people, and make decisions. Gleneagles Hospitals is the Best Mental Health Hospital in India and can provide the support and expertise needed to nurture and maintain mental well-being effectively.

What is Mental Health? 

All phases of life, from childhood through teenage years to maturity, emphasise the importance of mental wellness. Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all encompassed in our mental health, influencing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This, in turn, aids us in managing stress, interacting with people, and making decisions. Anxiety, despair, and stress can all have an impact on one's mental health and interfere with daily activities. Maintaining mental health contributes to an ongoing appreciation of life. To do this, one must strike a balance between one's obligations, activities, and the goal of psychological resilience. 

Types of Mental Health Disorders 

Mental health disorders, also known as mental illnesses, are issues affecting the way a person thinks and behaves, in addition to their emotional responses and overall psychological well-being. Mental health disorders can be categorised into different types. Certain mental health conditions are categorised according to the characteristics they share. Some mental health disorders include:  

• Anxiety Disorders:  Anxiety disorders commonly include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. People with these medical conditions experience extreme fear or anxiety when it comes to particular things or circumstances. Most patients with anxiety disorders make an effort to limit their exposure to anything that makes them anxious. 
• Mood Disorders: These diseases, sometimes referred to as affective disorders, are characterised by recurrent episodes of excessive happiness or despair, or by fluctuations between periods of great happiness to periods of severe melancholy. Bipolar disorder, cyclothymic disorder, and depression are the three most prevalent mood disorders. 
• Psychotic Disorders: In psychotic conditions, thought and consciousness are distorted. It includes schizophrenia, which involves disruptions to thinking and perception. 
• Personality Disorders: Extreme and unyielding personality features that are upsetting to the individual are indicative of personality disorders. They cause rigid patterns of thoughts and behaviours affecting daily functioning. 
• Eating Disorders: Eating disorders are characterised by extreme thoughts, feelings, and behaviours around food and weight. The three most prevalent eating disorders are binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa. 
• Trauma-Related Disorders: A severe and/or distressing incident, such as a sexual or physical attack, an untimely loss of a loved one, or a natural disaster, can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to being emotionally numb, people with PTSD frequently experience disturbing, lingering thoughts and recollections of the incident. 

What Causes Mental Health Disorders? 

Most of the time, mental health disorders arise from a complex combination of factors, rather than a single reason. Genetics and social learning components, including upbringing, can be examples of this. Some causes are listed below:   

• Genetics: Inherited traits contribute to vulnerability. A person is more likely to experience a mental illness if they have a close family member who suffers from a mental disease.  
• Trauma and Stressful Life Experiences: Stressful situations or traumatic life events might raise an adult's risk of mental disease. Problems with finances or employment, marital dissolution, social isolation, domestic abuse, and other issues can affect mental health. 
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A manic episode (bipolar illness) or a psychotic episode may be brought on by the use of illegal drugs. Substances that can induce paranoia include cocaine, marijuana, and amphetamines. 

Early Warning Signs & Symptoms of Mental Health 

Depending on the condition, the environment, and other variables, mental health symptoms can manifest in various ways. Emotions, ideas, and behaviours can all be impacted by the symptoms of mental health disorders. Signs and symptoms include: 

• Feeling Sad or depressed. 
• Experiencing disorganised thoughts or a diminished capacity for focus. 
• Overwhelming anxieties or fears, or intense guilt. 
• Experiencing extreme swings in mood, both high and low. 
• Withdrawing from social interactions and activities. 
• Suffering from extreme exhaustion, poor health, or difficulty falling asleep. 
• Experiencing hallucinations, paranoia, or detachment from reality (delusions). 
• Feeling extreme anger, bitterness, or rage. 
• Having suicidal thoughts.  
• Struggling with alcohol or drug abuse problems. 
• Experiencing major shifts in dietary patterns. 

Treatment for Mental Health Disorders  

The most suitable course of action for the patients usually depends on the kind, severity, and type of mental illness they have. Treatment often involves a combination of therapy, medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Some management options include:  

• Medication: While psychiatric drugs cannot treat mental disease, they often significantly lessen its symptoms. Psychiatric medications can also increase the efficacy of psychotherapy and other forms of treatment. 
• Psychotherapy: The goal of psychotherapy, sometimes referred to as talk therapy, is to discuss your condition and associated concerns with a mental health expert. Through this process, you can develop coping and stress-reduction techniques using the understanding and information you acquire. 
• Brain-stimulation treatments: Treatments for depression and other mental health conditions may involve brain stimulation. They consist of deep brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation, and electroconvulsive treatment.  They are often considered, in cases where psychotherapy and medicine have proven ineffective.