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Mental health

Mental health is the capacity of individuals and groups to interact with one another and the environment, in ways that promote subjective well-being and optimal development with the use of cognitive, affective and relational abilities.

Furthermore, mental health plays a crucial role in the well being of the Australian community, with one in five Australians directly suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives.

Mental illness will have a direct effect on the quality of the individuals life with varying effects on family members, friends and the community.

• Psycho
• Mental
• Mad
• Crazy
• Bananas
• Nuts
• Crackers
• Delusional
• Depressed
• Bipolar
• Lunatic
• Insane
• Paranoid
• Psychotic

are just a few terms that are used in a negative way by the greater community to describe mental illness; however mental illness can be understood as: "any illness experienced by a person that affects their emotions, thoughts or behaviour; is out of keeping with their cultural beliefs and personality; and produces a negative effect on their lives or the lives of their families".(World Health Organisation)

Mental illness is generally misunderstood, and has a negative social stigma attached to it. Having to live with a social odium can be more debilitating than the illness itself and forces the individual further into the margins of society, resulting in increased hardships and isolation. Furthermore, whilst the treatment and medicine for mental illness has improved, the stigma attached to it continues to grow.

Whist this website offers many fantastic self-help resources, there may a point in time where you need to seek professional help. Here are a few professional titles that you may be aware of:

• Psychiatrist, is a medically trained practitioner who specialises in mental health.
• Psychologist, is a mental health professional that takes a scientific approach to psychological knowledge, theory and practice.
• Psychoanalyst, specialises in the deeper personality structures and the role the unconscious mind plays with in the mental health field.
• Social worker, focus their skills and knowledge on the interaction between the individual and their environment.
• Registered nurse, helps the individual with home care, hospital stay, and consultancy.

Multidisciplinary teams of health professional with specialised fields, are assembled to work together to detect, asses, diagnose and treat mental illness. Once an initial assessment has been made, the information can then be formulated into a diagnosis, which will then be constructed into a treatment plan that will ultimately aid and assist the individual in creating a better quality of life.

Diagnostic classification enhances clear communication, which supports the understanding of treatment options, predictable prognosis and stimulates analytical research. Furthermore diagnosis aids in the treatment planning and medical management. In addition to this, diagnosis aids in patient education and is fundamental in medical record keeping. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and related Health Problems (ICD-10) are two of the leading diagnostic systems currently used to classify and diagnose mental health illnesses. Mental health professionals are essential in the assessment of a mental disorder or illness.

Factors that must be consider during the initial interview are;

• Psychological
• Biological
• Social.

A good clinician is like a detective, gathering information, and asking questions like, who, what, when,how and why. The clinician will allow the client to tell their story without cultural or sexual prejudices, bias of opinion or judgement; and one who will keep counter transference to a minimal.

So if you think that you may need help, visit www.followyourdreamlife.com for an international list of agencies that specialise in mental health.

Article by : Kylie OBrien, Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kylie_OBrien

Health and mental illness are hot topics in the womens health field. Want proof? The World Health Organization, United Nations and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services all have web pages dedicated specifically to mental illness in women. Thats because mental health has a very significant impact on a womans overall health, how her body functions and even her ability to reproduce.

Mental Health and Mental Illness in Women

We all know that men and women are affected differently by mental illness and mental health disorders. While some disorders like depression and anxiety are more prevalent in women, women also show different symptoms and researchers are studying the different psychosocial and biological factors that affect a womans mental health and mental illness.

Common mental disorders in women include: Depression, Anxiety Disorders, like OCD, social phobias, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and eating disorders.

Health and Mental Illness- Chicken and the Egg Scenario?

Are women who suffer with chronic health conditions more likely to suffer from a behavioral health disorder or are women suffering from behavioral health disorder more likely to suffer from significant physical health concerns? It can be difficult to determine which is a symptom and which is a cause. What we do know is that women with chronic health conditions tend to be at high risk for behavioral health disorders and women suffering from behavioral health disorders may increase their risk for physical health conditions, such as obesity or migraine headaches.

Reproductive Health and Mental Illness

Stress has a significant impact on a womans body. Stress and co-occurring issues like depression and anxiety can make it difficult for a womans body to regulate hormones, making her menstrual cycle unpredictable or even irregular. Many women experience depression and anxiety disorders during and after pregnancy. Normal hormonal changes during and after pregnancy or menopause can mimic they symptoms of depression, making it very confusing for a woman to determine if she is suffering from a physical health issue or a mental health disorder. Hormone and talk therapy are useful for women suffering from both physical health and mental illness, especially as it relates to menstruation, pregnancy, infertility and menopause.

Female Veterans and Behavioral Health Disorders

While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can happen to anyone, it is common among soldiers or law enforcement personnel who experience traumatic or emotionally stressful situations. Women with health and mental illness http://www.womensdrugrehab.com/womens-drug-rehab concerns after the military can seek help from a variety of public and private veterans services that are specially equipped to handle the stress of returning home and reuniting with family.

By : Benjamin Brafman
Article source : The Link Between Womens Health and Mental Illness