A great article breaking down some of the more common mental health problems, their signs and symptoms.
Depression advice expert Geraldine Lee covers common symptoms of mental health and dispels some of the stigmas and myths about people who suffer from the disorders. You can get anxiety advice from Geraldine by clicking on her name on the right.
Incidence
The incidence of mental health problem in the UK.
- Anxiety 1 in 10
- Depression 1 in 4
- Dementia (over 80) 1 in 5
- Substance Misuse 1 in 3
- Schizophrenia 1 in 10
- Bi polar Disorder 1 in 100
- Personality Disorder 1 in 10
- Learning Disability 3 in 100
Stigma & Myths
Royal College of Psychiatrists public survey 1998/2003 (+3000 people) found that public opinion of mental health was that of misunderstanding. Here are some points from that study.
Fallacy
- People suffering from depression should pull themselves together
- People with mental disorders are weak and to blame for their own conditions
- It’s difficult to talk to someone with a mental disorder
- Mental disorder is incurable
- People with Schizophrenia seen as dangerous
Facts
- Derogative terms such as ‘looney’, ‘crackers’ or ‘mad’ dismiss mental disorders as not to be taken seriously and excludes sufferers from society
- Treatments for mental disorder can be very effective and support recovery and ‘normality’ however stigma can prevent sufferers seeking help
- People with Schizophrenia are at much greater risk to themselves (high suicide rates) and at greater risk of exploitation and violence from others
- 650 homicides in England and Wales 2008/2009. Average yearly figure of 50 – 55 homicides by people with mental illness (8%). Of these, 5 are homicides of strangers (<1%)
Signs and Symptoms
Some common disorders and their symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of Bi Polar Disorder
A psychiatric disorder characterised by severe mood swings that can last several weeks or months
Depression
- Constant Unhappiness
- Loss of interest
- Loss of enjoyment
- Agitation/Irritability*Feeling hopeless and suicidal
- Difficulty concentrating
- Inability to make decisions
- Loss of appetite/weight
- Sleep difficulties
- Avoiding others.
- Crying or wanting to cry.
Mania
- Extreme sense of wellbeing
- Very happy and excited
- Feeling very important and irritated with those who disagree
- Pressured thinking and speaking – lots of ideas, moving quickly between topics, talking very quickly
- Hallucinations – voices
- Full of energy/unable to settle/sleep
- Increased sexual arousal
- Poor decision making
- Grandiose plans
- Excessive spending
Schizophrenia
Positive symptoms (things added)
- Hallucinations: the experience of hearing, seeing, feeling or smelling something that cannot be accounted for or experienced by others.
- Delusions: strongly held beliefs (sometimes with complete conviction). Often upsetting, persecutory in nature or paranoid. Other people will not share their beliefs.
- Thought disorder: normal flow of thinking is disrupted. Switching between ideas without obvious conncection.
- Apathy
- Thought and emotional control: the feeling that thoughts are being placed in the persons head by someone/something else. The sensation of others knowing the persons thoughts.
Negative symptoms (things withdrawn)
- Flattened emotional state
- Loss of energy/loss of interest
- Difficulty concentrating
- Neglect of self and surroundings
- Discomfort around others
- Emotional incongruity
If you or a loved one are suffering from the symptoms above, please speak to your GP or a health professional.
You can speak to Geraldine direct for individual depression advice via her profile.
Or
You can view the full list of Greatvine experts who can offer anxiety advice and support.
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