Stigma of Mental Illness

Majority of people with mental illness did not seek professional help or treatment.
For those who did, they leave it late to do so.

The severity of these mental conditions relies on how early those affected undergoes treatment.

Due to society stigma, the shame and embarrassments prevent mental illness sufferers from seeking psychiatrist or professional help.

Studies found that the majority of mental illnesses begin at the age of 29.

Mental illness often occurs at the prime of life and it goes undetected and untreated, resulting in wasted time.

This delay causes profound impact on sufferer’s health, wellbeing and even productivity.

Mental health experts and professional are concerned that a great number of people with mental illness still do not seek treatment.

Other finding shows that there are links between mental illness and chronic illness such as cancer, diabetes, blood pressure and heart problems.

Awareness all around about people suffering mental illness, delays in treatment and other associated illness may result in lessening community stigma towards mental illness sufferers that will leads to better support and care for these mental illness sufferers.

Types of Mental Conditions

1. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Feeling depressed, profoundly sad, feels empty, worthless and hopelessness.

Major Depressive Disorder interferes with sufferer’s ability to eat, sleep, study and work.

It also affects their once enjoyable and pleasurable activities. 

Treatment
Sufferer can be treated with anti depressants and psychotherapy.

2. Bipolar Disorder

Mood swings between periods of being high or low to irritable moods.

3. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Worries excessively and being irrational, resulting in sleeplessness, restlessness and irritably.

4. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Having an anxiety disorder where the sufferer has unreasonable thoughts, feelings, ideas or fears that drive him to do something repeatedly. 

Treatment
Medication and psychotherapy.

5. Alcohol Abuse & Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol Abuse
Drinking too much until causing problems or disruptions to the sufferer’s everyday activities.

Alcohol Dependence
Sufferer’s continues to drink alcohol despite having experience bodily dysfunction and other related hardship.

Alcohol dependence sufferer shows physical tolerance, withdrawal symptoms and a loss of control over drinking.

This is evidence in alcohol dependence.

Treatment 
Detoxification is the first steps toward recovery.

Medication and follow up treatment which includes counseling.

6. Nicotine Dependence
Unable to stop smoking even though sufferer knows that smoking is harmful with devastating consequences.

Treatment
Sufferers can use medication such as Zyban and Champix, nicotine blockers which is a prescription drugs.

Other treatment includes replacement therapy such as gums, inhalers and patches.

Facts

• Mental illness occurs from age of 29 years onwards. 
• Mental illness and chronic illness such as cancer, heart conditions, diabetes and high blood pressure are often related.
• Depression, alcohol abuse & alcohol dependence and obsessive compulsive disorder are the three most common disorders.
• One in four is estimated to suffer from mental illness in their lifetime.