MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESSES

•  Mental health plays a vital role in the overall well-being of an individual at any stage of life.

What are the factors, which disturbs and boosts our mental health?

We should always pay attention towards the mental health of our children especially as they are developing and are very sensitive. They are at a stage where their concepts, emotions and perceptions are developing. Children who grew up with poor mental health are at a high risk of developing mental health problems in adulthood. We should also take care of our own mental health as well.

Numerous people come to PRC Rehabilitation Center Karachi for treatment of SUD and Mental Illnesses. We not only help them with providing quality treatment but also give psycho education and awareness to their families regarding mental health and SUD issues.

Factors Affecting Mental health

Mental health of an individual is affected by many factors. Some factors play role in declining the overall quality of mental health while some enhances good and positive mental health.

Factors contributing to poor mental health are as follows:

·         Violence

·         Sexual assault / Rape

·         Stressful life changes

·         Stress due to work environment

·         Unhealthy lifestyle

·         Social isolation/exclusion

·         Abuse (Physical/emotional/verbal/spiritual)

·         Toxic relationships

·         Alcohol drinking or substance/drug abuse

·         Neglect from parents/partner/children

·         Physically ill for long time

·         Genetic factors

·         Poor time management

·         Poor routine

·         No proper sleep hygiene

·         Poor diet

·         Financial difficulties

·         Gender discrimination

·         Human right violation / bullying

·         Neurotransmitter disturbances

·         Trauma

·         Family history of mental illness

·         Suppressing feelings

·         Broken family / single parenting / divorce

·         Grief / loss

Factors Contributing to Good Mental Health are as follows:

·         Feeling loved and wanted

·         Time management

·         Good routine

·         Healthy sleep hygiene

·         Healthy food

·         Exercising / yoga / meditation

·         Walk

·         Autonomy

·         Personal Growth

·         Self-acceptance

·         Healthy relations

·         Understanding and trustworthy environment

·         Supporting family and friends

·         Physically healthy and active

·         Proper guidance and discipline in life

·         Spiritually healthy

·         Treating yourself and others with kindness and respect

·         Being realistic / realistic expectations

·         Practicing self-regulation / emotional regulation

·         Confidence

·         Healthy shame

·         Relaxation / going on vacations / leisure activities

·         Good hobbies and activities

·         No to drinking and drug abuse

·         Availability of basic needs and services

·         Emotional expression and expressing feelings

At PRC Clifton Karachi, we provide a healthy environment to clients where they improve their mental health and the trained staff help clients in coaching them for living a better and mentally healthy life.

Mental Illnesses

Mental illness is the illness / disease / disorder / sickness of the brain / mind. It is related to how we think, feel, perceive and behave. There is a strong link between our physical and mental health. That is why it is said that “there is no health without mental health”.

Mental illnesses are health conditions associated poor coping skills, distresses and issues related to work, family and social life.

Mental illnesses are all diagnosable problems related to brain / mind. Mental illnesses are also known as mental health disorders or simply mental disorders.

According to American Psychiatric Association (APA), a mental disorder is “any condition characterized by cognitive and emotional disturbances, abnormal behaviors, impaired functioning, or any combination of these. Such disorders cannot be accounted for solely by environmental circumstances and may involve physiological, genetic, chemical, social, and other factors”.

According to the APA’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), mental disorders are classified as follows:

·         Neurodevelopmental disorders

·         Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

·         Bipolar and related disorders

·         Depressive disorders

·         Anxiety disorders

·         Obsessive compulsive and related disorders

·         Trauma and stressor-related disorders

·         Dissociative disorders

·         Somatic symptom and related disorders

·         Feeding and eating disorders

·         Elimination disorders

·         Sleep-wake disorders

·         Sexual dysfunctions

·         Gender dysphoria

·         Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders

·         Substance-related and addiction disorders

·         Neurocognitive disorders

·         Personality disorders

·         Paraphilic disorders

·         Other mental disorders

·         Medication-Induced Movement Disorders and Other Adverse Effects of Medication

·         Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention

If you know anyone suffering from mental illnesses or SUDs, you can refer them to Treatment Recovery Center. For more information regarding SUDs and mental illnesses call at 0341-1959599.