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We are humans. We eat, we drink, we see, we think, and we feel. WE FEEL, let us be a bit louder about the last part. We feel because we have a heart and mind, we are designed to have feelings. And so, it is only natural to have issues. We may be simple, but simultaneously we are all complicated and twisted.
There are battles we fight every day. And some of these battles are not with people but with ourselves. So, if you are somebody who is familiar with the struggle or know somebody who is struggling with the same, it’s your job to be with them. But before you can help someone or yourself for that matter, you must understand the issues one is going through.
Here are some of the most common mental health issues people struggle with:
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings. On one side is mania, where you can feel extremely energetic, full of joy, excited and enthusiastic, on the other side there’s depression, where you could feel extremely sad, raging or irritable. These mood swings can affect your judgement level, sleep, and ability to think clearly.
Even though bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, it can still be managed with therapy and medications.
Here are some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder:
- Feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt
- Lethargy
- Difficulty focussing
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Suicidal thoughts
- Being negative about everything
- Hallucinations
- Feeling overjoyed all of a sudden
- Making out of the character decisions and choices
- Being impulsive and doing things that have harmful consequences
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
As the name suggests, OCD is characterised by obsessive behaviour. A person suffering from the same may have a stubborn thought stuck on repeat in the head that they feel doing something about. These thoughts and obsessions can trigger intense anxiety in the person. It feels like a mental trap, wherein you feel forced to keep doing these things, even if you know they’re not exactly logical.
Imagine someone worrying that their hands are contaminated. They might end up washing their hands so much that their skin starts to feel the burn. OCD can be a real energy drain and mess up your daily life because these obsessions and compulsions can eat up a ton of time and make it tough to focus on anything else.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
This type of mental health disorder is often triggered by stress, accidents, or unfortunate events that cause trauma. The most common symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks of the triggering event, hallucinations, nightmares, or distressing intrusive images that are reminders of the event. Reminders of the traumatic event cause stress and intense physiological reactions.
As a result, hypervigilance for threats, shocks, irritability, difficulty focusing, sleep problems and resistance to trauma reminders are some of the core symptoms.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Do you always feel nervous before going to a party? Do you have a hard time thinking of topics to discuss in a social gathering? Are you always terrified of saying the wrong thing? If yes, you probably have a social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder is characterised by the fear of social interactions. You may feel anxious, you may feel hesitant and reluctant, and you may even doubt yourself. While these are the mental symptoms, some of the physical symptoms can include:
- Blushing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Trembling and sweating
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Muscle tension
- Feeling that your mind has gone blank
The issue may be chronic but it can be dealt with psychotherapy and medications.
Panic Disorder
The name gives it away. A panic disorder involves frequent panic attacks. These attacks often cause a sudden wave of fear or anxiety, uneasiness or a sense of losing control even when there is no danger or trigger.
These attacks often include symptoms that resemble a heart attack, such as a rapid heart rate, trembling, sweating or tingling.
Some researchers believe that panic attacks are like ‘false alarm’s where the body’s typical survival instincts become active frequently. Hence, one may feel they are having a heart attack, but they are not.
A panic disorder can be treated with medications or psychotherapy.
Closing thoughts
In the tapestry of our shared human experience, these common mental health issues form integral threads, each one a unique hue contributing to the complexity of our emotions and thoughts.
By shedding light on these mental health struggles, we unveil the hidden struggles that many face daily. As we strive for a society built on empathy and understanding, let us stand united against the stigma surrounding mental health, fostering an environment where seeking help is not a sign of weakness but an act of strength.
Together with support, acceptance, and compassion, we can ensure that those who grapple with these challenges are not alone on their journey towards healing and hope.
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