Mental illnesses are becoming more and more prevalent these days. According to one study, one person in four suffers from a psychological disorder. This can be explained by the pressure of daily life, stress and poor lifestyle. So what are the most visible mental illnesses at the moment?
Definition of a mental illness
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), mental health is a state of well-being in which each individual recognizes his or her capacity, competence and worth. It also allows them to develop fully.
Conversely, mental illness is therefore a state of ill-being. It is characterized by a change in behaviour, mood and thinking. As its name suggests, it is a real illness, which can cause obsessive-compulsive disorder. In general, a person with a mental illness becomes depressed and stressed. They also tend to isolate themselves from those close to them.
The 3 most common mental illnesses
There are hundreds of mental illnesses. Among the most common are: depression, eating disorders and phobias.
Depression is the most common at present. It is characterized by an abrupt change in behaviour. The patient feels discomfort in body and mind. He or she experiences stress all the time and generalized anxiety. He is also in pain and can easily lose control of his life. He may even have seizures at any time. A depressed person usually isolates himself or herself from those close to him or her. He or she becomes lonely and, at worst, antisocial.
As for the eating disorder, it manifests itself by taking or not taking a quantity of food. There are two types of eating disorders: anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia is characterized by a refusal to eat, following a psychological event. A person with bulimia nervosa always takes food whenever he or she is stressed or depressed.
Finally, phobia is the fear of an object or even food. A person with a phobia can't stand even the sight of it. He or she may develop panic disorder or bipolar disorder. There are two kinds of phobias: social phobia and specific phobia.
Preventing mental illness
To prevent mental illness, the first step is to have a healthy lifestyle. A good diet and the practice of sports help reduce stress. You also need to surround yourself with the right people who encourage and support you.