Mental Health Problems - Essay Example

Mental Health Problems Mental health can be defined as merely an “absence of mental illness.” It is mainly related with the wellbeing of the people (Investing in Mental Health Problems, 2003, p.7). Mrs. Johnson is a 47 year old lady. She has a motor accident and due to this she needs a surgery. When she shifted to ward, she share her problems with nurse. After surgery she shows poor appetite and loss of mood and insomnia. In this age which brings with it the weakening of muscles. Due to this fact, accident may fracture her muscles or bones easily. She is suffering from mental and physical health problems, and she does not have a good pre-history. Mrs. Johnson is person with a lot of problems. Her mental health problem may have occurred as a result of mood disorder. Mood disorder is a “biological disorder” that affects all age groups. It is a serious disorder that may affect both males and females (Horn, n.d., p. 1). Most people have experienced these disorders in their day to day life, however, some of them suffer from more serious consequences. Mood disorder often leads to several other serious mental disorders. It affects and impacts the thinking as well as the behavior of people. Mood disorders not only affect the mood of the people but also the whole body. Depression: Mood disorder can be of many types, namely “Depression, Dysthymia, and Bipolar disorder” (Handbook on Disabilities, 2001, p. 1). The behavior of depressed people Depressed people always feel sad and they never enjoy anything. Dysthymia, on the other hand, is a minor form of depression. A person with Dysthymia usually functions in a low level. The symptoms of mood disorder are seen in Mrs. Johnson, as she has problem in Sleeping, Bad mood and Poor appetite These are the most common symptoms seen in people suffering from depression. She has both mood disorder; Depression and Dysthymia. The response to a situation or an event causes depression. Mrs. Johnson also has also undergone a lot of stressful events that usually trigger depression. She has lost her job on one hand, whereas on the other, she is also going through a divorce. Stress: Stress has major influence in her life as can be seen. Stress is a “feeling of being overloaded, wound up tight, tense and worried” (Understanding and Managing Stress, 2012, p.1). Symptoms of Stress: Depression, Lack of sleep and Anxiety are the symptoms of stress, While depression manifests behavioral change and change in the “feelings and/or perception” (Coping with Depression, 2007, page 1). The patient has changes in their feelings when they undergo stressful events. This is the main reason why Mrs. Johnson is tearful most of the time. After surgery her feelings also changed and became more negative. If one does not manage the stressful situation themselves, it leads to bigger problem. In the case of Mrs. Johnson, she cannot face or manage all her problems alone. Due to these problems, after surgery she shows symptoms such as poor appetite and low mood. The Causes of Depression: Physical illness causes depression among the patients. When undergoing stressful situations, hormones in the individual’s body show the physical changes. Lack of sleep and poor appetite are physical changes arising out of psychological problems. Due to poor appetite Mrs. Johnson’s energy level is quite low. She is worried about her children and she cannot do anything for them as she lost her job. Her daily routine has been changed because of these problems. Mrs. Johnson has a history of anxiety, which is an “excessive fear about real or imagined circumstances” (Huberty, 2004, p.1). Signs of Anxiety: This signs are not same in all people. In the case of Mrs. Johnson, she experiences’ A high level of anxiety. The thought may always disturb her she cannot sleep properly, and she keeps waking up several times in her sleep. Stress, anxiety and depression are serious issues that reduce the energy of the person. When these problems appear in a person, the individual can themselves reduce the problem. The problem mainly arises due to the negative thoughts among the individuals. So it is always wise to think in a positive way. She has a family history of Depression and both her paternal grandfather and great grandfather have experienced depression. In this case it is clear that genetic factor plays an important role in depression and a greater chance in developing depression. In other words family support has an important role. Unfortunately, Mrs. Johnson does not have a supporting family. She has no job and needs a lot of money for the treatment process. She tells all about her problems to the nurse. From this it becomes clear that she has an insight about the illness as well as her current situation. No one is there to support Mrs. Johnson, so she feels hopeless in her life. Therapies to Depressed Patients: Psychological treatment; “Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT); Through Cognitive behavioral therapy, one can make changes in the behavior of the person with a problem. Relaxation therapy; Relaxation therapy includes yoga, meditation etc and it relaxes the affected person’s mind. Supportive therapy” (American Psychological Association, 2003, p. 5) are the therapeutic approaches used to alleviate stress and anxiety. The person gets support through supportive therapy. Prevention is the main aim for the recovery. These methods may almost reduce the problems halfway through. Counseling is given to the client to make changes in the behavior. Physical treatment used to treat depression is “medication” (Black Dog Institute, 2012, p. 1). Medication mainly includes the drugs used. However, the patient is not to be treated according to the count of symptoms. Depression may be a psychiatric disorder. Main Risk Factor for Depressed People: “Suicidal idea and approximately 90% people dying by suicide” (Assessment of suicide risk in people with depression National, n.d., p. 3). Some the patients suffering from depression will have the idea of considering suicide. One cannot identify the patient who has suicidal idea by only looking at them. Some patients will have a violent behavior, which helps to identify that they may be thinking about suicide. Conducting interview will help to know whether the patient has an idea of suicide. If the patient has a previous history of mental illness and any physical illness, these are also considered risk factors in depressed patients. There are many risk factors involved in depressive and anxiety disorders such as “psychological, social and biological factors” (Statewide Obstetrics Support Unit, n.d., p. 16). Psychological factor includes family history of anxiety and changes in the mood. Social risk may arise due to many elements such as: Unemployment is the most common issue and a lot of stressful life events may cause social risk factors. The patient does not take the medicines properly; it may cause a risk factor in biologically. Women approach suicide when they have a mental health problem. Depression, anxiety and stress are the initial stages of a mental disorder. Care and Treatment for Mental Health Disorders: In the early stage it if proper care and treatment is provided, a serious mental disorder can be prevented. In the same way, Mrs. Johnson can also reduce her stress or depressive situations by participating in all social activities and approach her problems in a positive way. A good family support is needed for the patient. If a person is creating a high risk factor urgently they required mental health services. “Patient centered care” (NICE, n.d., p. 7) is an important element that is necessary for all patients. This care is also given in the case of both depression and physical problems. It gives main importance to the needs of the patients. When more advice and care is given, there will be an improved change in the behavior pattern of the patient. There should be a good relationship between the patient and the practitioners. A lot of problems can be reduced by proper understanding. Primary care for the mental health problem and psychosocial problem is “counseling” (Bower et al, 2011, 2). It is given to those patients who are suffering from depression or other anxiety or stress disorders. If the family provides a good support to these people, early recovery is possible. Mrs. Johnson has insight about her illness so counseling can be affective. In primary stage counseling will be provided for her. She has a pre history of mental health problems, however proper care and counseling may bring back to her normal condition. References American Psychological Association, Coping With Stress and Anxiety, p-5., Retrieved March 11, 2003, from Assessment of suicide risk in people with depression National. P-3. Office for Suicide Prevention, Ireland. Retrieved from Black Dog Institute,p-1, Treatments for Depression, Updated October 2012, from Bower, P., Knowels, S., Coventry, P. A. & Rowland, N. Counseling for Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems in Primary Care. Retrieved September 7, 2011, from Handbook on Disabilities: Overview of Mood Disorders. Curators of the University, Missouri. Retrieved August 31, 20013, from Read More