Mental Health Issues
Q. What are some types of mental health issues?
A. Mental health issues range from slight depression to more serious illnesses,
like schizophrenia or autism. Generally speaking, these disorders disrupt
a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others
and capacity for coping with the demands of life.
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Q. How does a person know if they have a mental health issue?
A. Mental health issues are generally linked to chemical imbalances in the
brain—resulting in a reduced ability to deal with stress—and
are often heredity. They generally strike individuals in the prime of
their lives, during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible,
but the young and the old are especially vulnerable. In addition, those
who are dealing with major life stresses, such as death, job stress, or
other chronic health conditions are at risk for developing mental health
issues, such as depression.
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Q. Is there anything I can do to prevent mental illness from
happening to me?
A. You need to recognize that for many people it is impossible to prevent
mental health issues from occurring—especially those who are genetically
predisposed to developing mental health issues and those who are under
extreme stress. It is critical that these individuals treat their condition
like any other health issue, and seek medical care.
If this does not describe you, you can reduce your risk of developing mental
health issues by managing your stress level as well as the way you respond
to stress. In addition, eating right, exercising, getting a good night’s
sleep, quitting smoking and limiting your intake of alcohol will also
help reduce your risk.
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Q. How do I mange my stress level?
A. The best way to manage your stress level is to make it a priority to
incorporate time for yourself—and the things that make you feel
good—into each day. This will allow you to relax and unwind, and
to feel like you have control over your life and schedule. When major
stresses do occur, try to take a minute to think about and plan your response
before you react. This is especially helpful for individuals who are prone
to anger.
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Q. For more information about this condition, where should I go?
A. If you more information about this condition, you can check the following
websites:
Medline
Plus
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
National Institute of Mental Health
National Mental Health Association
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