When you’re suffering from a mental illness, seeking help can seem like an overwhelming task. Learn how to overcome some of the obstacles that prevent people from getting the care they need.
There are many reasons why someone may not seek treatment for their mental illness. Learn what those reasons might be.
Learn how you can use Isha Kriya to achieve overall wellbeing: Isha Kriya: The Secret of Health, Wealth & Happiness
Table of Contents
What is Mental Illness?
An individual’s mental health is determined by their emotional well-being. More than one percent of the population suffers from mental illness. It’s important to understand what mental illness is so you can help those who suffer from it.
It is often referred to as an umbrella term that covers many different conditions. Learn about the most common types here. Mental illness is a complex condition that impacts millions of people worldwide. Find out more about its causes and symptoms here.
There are many different types of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more. Read on to discover more!
Mental illness includes many different disorders that affect how people think, feel, and behave. Some mental illnesses are treatable while others cannot be cured.
Mental illness is often misunderstood by people who suffer from it or those around them. Learn what mental illnesses look like and how they affect people. It affects millions of Americans every year. It includes disorders that range in severity from mild to severe, and include anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and others.
Definition
Mental illness refers to any condition that involves changes in thinking, feeling, or behavior. These changes can impact a person’s ability to function at work, home, school, or socially.
Risk factors
There are several risk factors for developing mental illness. People with certain genetic traits, such as a family history of mental illness, are more likely to develop mental illness than others. Other risk factors include substance abuse, trauma, and stress.
Common disorders
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are some of the most common mental illnesses. These disorders can cause symptoms that mimic other medical conditions, making diagnosis difficult.
Early signs
If you notice any of these early warning signs, talk with your doctor or seek help immediately.
1. Changes in sleep patterns
2. Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
3. Feeling sad or hopeless
4. Thoughts of death or suicide
5. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
6. Trouble concentrating
7. Irritability or anger
8. Problems at work or school
9. Physical complaints such as headaches, stomach-aches, or fatigue
10. Substance abuse
Treatment
There are several treatment options available for mental health issues. These treatments vary based on the type of disorder and severity. In some cases, medication is the only option. Other times, therapy or counseling might be more effective.
What Causes Mental Illness?
There are many possible causes of mental illness. These include genetics, brain chemistry, environmental influences, and other factors. However, there is no known cause of mental illness.
Types of Mental Illness
Mental illnesses fall into two broad categories: psychiatric disorders and behavioral disorders.
- Psychiatric disorders affect how people think, feel, behave, and relate to others.
- Behavioral disorders involve actions or behaviors that are not normal for an individual.
Symptoms of Mental Illness
There are several symptoms of mental illness. People with bipolar disorder often experience mood swings, such as extreme highs and lows. They also tend to have periods of increased energy followed by periods of decreased energy. Other common symptoms include anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping.
Treatment Options
If you notice any signs of mental illness in yourself or someone else, seek professional help immediately. You can find treatment options at your local hospital or clinic. In addition, there are many online resources available to help people learn how to cope with mental illness.
Resources for Helping People with Mental Illness
There are many different kinds of mental illnesses, each with its symptoms and treatments. Here are some resources to help you better understand mental illness and how to support those who struggle with it.
Sangath
Sangath is a not-for-profit organization working in Goa, India for 24 years to make mental health services accessible and affordable. They have a dedicated COVID 19 well-being center that offers community support, free tele-counseling, and self-management resources for frontline workers and young people in need of psychological support amidst the pandemic.
- Helpline: 011-41198666
- Time: 10 AM -6 PM
- Languages: Hindi, English, Marathi, Konkani
- Email: contactus@sangath.in
- Website: https://sangath.in/
Mitram Foundation
Mitram Foundation is a suicide prevention helpline that aims to offer emotional support to those going through a crisis in their lives, especially the distressed, depressed, and suicidal.
- Helpline: 080 2572 2573, +91 901 9708133
- Time: 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM | All days of the Week (10:00 AM – 04:00 PM from September 10, 2021)
- Languages: English, हिंदी
- Email: share@mitramfoundation.org
- Website: https://www.mitramfoundation.org/
Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline
Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline located at Ramaiah Hospital is one of the services of the Arpita Foundation, started in 2019 by a group of Experienced Volunteers from various Institutions to reach out to Society.
Operating at Ramaiah Hospital with 24 Volunteers from 10.00 AM to 01.00 PM & 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM, some of the Volunteers have been Counselling for the past 18 years. Periodic Training in Mental Health is provided by professionals in this field and Doctors at the Hospital. Arpita has dedicated its Services free of cost. If Callers prefer Face to Face counseling, then they are referred to the Doctors at the Hospital for consultation, Treatment and further followed with counseling.
- Helpline: 080-23655557
- Time: 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM | 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Monday to Friday
- Languages: English, हिंदी, उर्दू, ಅವುಗಳನ್ನು, தமிழ், తెలుగు, മലയാളം, Konkani, Assamese, ગુજરતી, বাঙালি
- Email: arpita.helpline@gmail.com
Learn how meditating can help you treat your mental illness: Why Meditating Makes You Feel Better?
Why Do People with Mental Illness Struggle to Seek Help?
There are many reasons why people with mental illness don’t seek help. In this article, we will discuss five of those reasons.
Many people with mental illnesses struggle to seek help because they feel ashamed, embarrassed, afraid, or guilty. They also fear that others will judge them. Others worry that seeking treatment means admitting weakness or failure. Still, others believe that mental illness is a sign of personal weakness or sinfulness.
They think they have no problem.
1) They think they have no problems.
2) They think they are not sick enough.
3) They think they are too old.
4) They think they are just lazy.
5) They think they are strong enough to handle it themselves.
They think it’s their fault.
If you believe that you are responsible for your mental health, then you might feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about your condition. You might also worry that others won’t understand what you are going through. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
They think they’re too old or too young.
Another reason why people with mental illness do not seek treatment is that they think they are too old or too young to need it. Many people with mental illnesses start having symptoms when they are teenagers or even younger. However, some people who suffer from mental illness never receive proper treatment until they reach adulthood.
They think they’ll get better by themselves.
A third reason why people with mental illnesses do not seek help is that they believe that they will get better by themselves. This belief is often based on the fact that they have been able to cope with similar situations before.
They think they won’t be able to afford treatment.
Another reason why people with mental illness do not seek help is that it very expensive, and often they don’t have the necessary resources to afford it. They also feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for the means to afford the treatments, so they simply choose not to get the treatment.
The 5 Stages of Seeking Treatment for Mental Health Issues
The process of seeking treatment may take place in several stages for someone with a mental illness. For instance, the first step to seeking treatment is to recognize that one’s symptoms are indicative of a problem. Discover how to seek treatment for mental illness with these five essential steps.
The 5 Stages of Seeking Treatment for Mental Health Issues
- When someone has a mental illness, they often feel alone and isolated from others. They may not know where to turn or who to talk to about their problems.
- To seek treatment for mental health issues, people must first recognize that they have a problem.
- Once they realize that they need help, they must decide whether they should go to a doctor or therapist.
- After deciding on a course of action, they must then look for a qualified provider of care.
- Finally, once they have found a provider, they must begin treatment.
Visit Mental Health America for more information about how to treat mental illness.
Recognizing That You Have a Problem
Recognizing that one needs help with mental health issues begins by recognizing that there is something wrong. People with mental illnesses may not understand why they are having trouble functioning as well as they used to. They may also not understand what is happening to them. If they do notice changes in themselves, they may think that they are going crazy. However, they may not realize that they have an actual mental health issue until they start to act differently than they did before.
It’s important to note that some people will never seek treatment for mental health concerns because they don’t believe that they have a problem at all. This is called denial. Denial is common among those who suffer from anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder. Those who deny that they have a problem may avoid seeking treatment out of fear that they won’t be able to control their symptoms.
Deciding Whether to Seek Help from A Doctor or Therapist
If you think that you might have a mental health issue, you should consider talking with a professional. You can find a list of licensed therapists here. Many insurance companies cover therapy sessions, so make sure to check with your plan before making an appointment.
Finding Qualified Providers
There are several ways to find a qualified provider of mental health services. One option is to ask friends and family members for recommendations. Another is to search online using Google. A third option is to contact local hospitals, clinics, and other providers directly.
So, if you are looking for a professional provider of mental health services, there are several steps you can take to find one.
- First, you should consider what type of service you need. Do you need therapy, counseling, medication management, or some combination of these?
- Next, you should determine how much money you are willing to spend on treatment. You might also want to consider insurance coverage options.
- Finally, you should choose a provider based on his or her qualifications and reputation.
How to Seek Help?
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help.
If you feel like you might be having a mental health problem, talk with a friend or family member first. They will likely be able to tell whether you are struggling with something serious or not. If you do decide to seek professional help, there are several ways to find a qualified provider. You can ask friends or family members who have been through similar situations. Or, you can search online using terms like “mental health professionals near me” or “find a psychiatrist near me.”
Know Where to Go.
Once you’ve decided to seek help, make sure you go to the right place. There are different kinds of providers, so it’s important to choose one that meets your needs. A therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor can provide individual therapy sessions, group counseling, or both. In addition, you may also be referred to a social worker, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or another medical professional.
Understand The Stigma Around Mental Illness/Health Issues.
It’s not uncommon for people with mental illnesses to face stigma when they try to access services. This means that people who suffer from mental illness often feel ashamed or embarrassed about their condition. They might worry that others will think badly of them or treat them differently because of their diagnosis.
Find Support Groups.
If you’re struggling with a mental illness, there are support groups available online where you can find other people who understand what you’re going through. You can also connect with local organizations that provide free counseling and support groups.
Talk About Mental Illness/Health with Friends and Family.
It’s important to talk about mental health with friends and family because they can offer emotional support and understanding. They can also encourage you to seek treatment when needed.
Conclusion
- To facilitate wellness, people coping with mental health difficulties will often need to change their lifestyles.
- It may be necessary to reduce alcohol consumption, sleep more, and eat a balanced, nutritious diet to make these changes. A person may need to take time off work or resolve issues with personal relationships that are causing mental health problems.
- Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness, may benefit people with anxiety or depression disorders.
- Support can also be essential to recovery from mental illness, whether through self-help groups or close friends and family.
Also Read: Deep Breathing Exercises for Stress Relief