About 50% of individuals with severe
psychiatric disorders (3.5 million people) are receiving no treatment.
By 2020, mental health disorders are
projected to overtake all physical diseases as a more recurrent cause of
disability.
A mental illness rarely fits its textbook
mould. Every case is unique, and many different
factors interact to form the symptoms experienced by each individual.
Statistics show the alarming consequences of an
undiagnosed or untreated mental illness:
- ·
People with schizophrenia die from health
complications at twice or triple the rate of the general population.
- ·
In the U.S., suicide claims a life roughly
once every 15 minutes, with the alarming majority having an undiagnosed mental
illness. This makes suicide the 3rd
leading cause of death for young adults in the U.S.
- ·
Roughly a quarter of all young adults in
trouble with the law have symptoms of a serious mental illness.
- ·
People living with serious mental
illnesses live on average 25 years less than those without.
Mental health problems take a toll not only on those
directly affected, but on friends and family members as well. Thy symptoms
of mental illness are often misunderstood, and a significant amount of false
information and stereotypes are perpetuated about people with mental
illnesses. Education is the most important step to understanding mental health
problems, and the best thing loved ones of a mentally ill person can do is to
learn about the nature, symptoms and treatment options of the mental illness in
question.
Many mental disorders go undiagnosed
because the sufferer is simply unaware their symptoms aren’t normal. They
might feel the need to internalize the problems they’re having for fear others
won’t understand, or they might not see the pattern of dysfunction their
behavior is causing in their everyday life. It’s vital for friends and family
members to speak up when they see a problem because that’s often the only way a
person will realize the need for help.
Persistent symptoms often drive people to
self-medicate, which is the act of abusing drugs or
alcohol in order to get temporary relief from their symptoms. This behavior is
typically observed in those with a chronic condition, particularly mental
disorders, and can be a more accessible than professional treatment depending
on the individual case. However, self-medication is only initially effective.
After it becomes the standard solution for symptoms, it shortly becomes the
same for any ills whatsoever. This progression soon gives way to substance
abuse and addiction followed by patients turning one mental condition into two,
each enabling the other to spiral out of control.
A crippling delay between the initial appearance of
symptoms and the beginning of treatment allows for the condition to become
more severe, the potential co-occurrence of other mental illnesses, and a lower
treatment success rate as people age and their disorders become ingrained in
their identities.
DISCLAIMER: All the information
being provided her has been sourced from the internet and books and some also
via personal experiences. It has no medical authentication per se so
suggestions if followed must be done in consultation with a trained mental
health professional.
References:
Very, very good points! As you pointed out, many don't realize their own feelings are not "normal," that not everyone feels they way they do. Add in the stigma of mental illness, and it's no wonder so many choose to forego treatment. Even in areas of the world with good treatment options, there's still the stereotypes to deal with.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Lisa however the rate of untreated mental illness is almost double in developing and poorer countries because the societies there also remain unlettered and backward so the taboo is more too
ReplyDeleteYou discussed this topic well!! Loved the way you narrated!
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly mental illness is one of the most difficult condition to treat. First, we all think differently. For the sake of simplicity we have divided one end of mental activity to be genius and another to lunatic. Rest those who fall in-between may have a wide range yet all are called normal. So apparently, normal near lunatic end and normal near genius end may fall in the same category but may feel and express themselves differently. So they may have exhibit mental activity and problems thereof differently. Second, since we all think through our mind, we may not even know there is something wrong with us. Because whatever we are doing, we may think is normal and right. I think we must develop routing behavrioural and neurological tests and get ourselves evaluated regularly for any deviation.
ReplyDeleteYes Abhijit first of all "normal" and "abnormal" needs to be redefined and more empathy more sensitivity
ReplyDeleteOnly few are treated actually. The rest are left to fend for themselves.
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