Illustration by Anna Roth
Mental Health
Good mental health is not just the absence of an illness or a mental health disorder. It’s about emotional, psychological and social well-being. It involves learning how to adapt to change, develop fulfilling relationships, navigate the complexities of life, make healthy choices and use appropriate coping strategies when faced with challenges. It’s important to understand that we all have mental health needs—and addressing them is a critical part of becoming an adult, for youth both with and without disabilities.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEKING HELP
It is normal for youth to experience a lot of emotions during adolescence, and they are not always positive. For example, you may experience nervousness, fear, worry or sadness at times. If you experience long-lasting sadness, irritability, extremely high and low moods, anxiety, excessive fear and worry, social withdrawal and isolation, it is important to talk to someone. These feelings may interfere with school, work and relationships.
For some people, the thought of talking to someone about their mental health is scary. But getting treatment for mental health conditions is important because they rarely go away on their own. Left untreated, mental illness can get worse and/or lead to other health problems.
Often, stigma prevents people from getting the support and help they need. Yet, mental illness is common. In fact, one out of every five people will experience some form of it in their lifetime. Deciding to talk to someone about how you’re feeling is the first step on your journey to getting better. Try not to be afraid to reach out for help. A case worker, teacher, school counselor, family doctor or other health professional is a good place to start. You will find that you are not alone. In fact, many people experience the same feelings.
What to Expect
When first talking to a doctor or other professional about mental health, it may be helpful to set reasonable goals beforehand. It is important to understand that diagnosing and treating mental illness takes time, and symptoms do not go away immediately. Examples of early goals might be to explain your symptoms to the doctor, learn about potential diagnoses and collaborate with them to develop a treatment plan.
It might also help to take time before your appointment to write down things to discuss. Try to explain physical, emotional and behavioral changes you’ve experienced. Also try to be conscious of how your mood affects your everyday life and discuss this with the doctor. You may also be asked to share personal information, such as other conditions you have, medications you are taking, traumatic events you may have experienced in the past and/or stressful situations you’re currently facing. Writing down questions you’d like to ask in advance will help you not forget them once at the appointment.
THE ORIGINS OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
Mental health conditions arise from a combination of different biological and environmental factors. There are hereditary components, for example, meaning that mental illness can run in families. But a person’s experiences also come into play. Regardless, mental health conditions are health conditions, not a sign of weakness. Indeed, being in tune with your mental health and taking steps to get help when problems arise is a sign of strength.
Childhood trauma is one factor that can affect mental health. Childhood trauma includes physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse, as well as general neglect, gun violence, interactions with law enforcement, having an incarcerated parent, family use of alcohol/drugs, serious accidents and natural disasters. While childhood trauma can contribute to mental health challenges, many people also develop significant resiliency in its wake. Resiliency is the ability to recover and adapt following a traumatic event. Attributes and actions that contribute to resiliency include optimism, flexible thinking, active coping skills, maintaining a supportive social network, taking care of yourself and embracing a set of strong personal values.
Prevalence and Types of Mental Health Conditions
There are a variety of different mental healthdiagnoses, and it may be helpful to have an understanding of them as you orsomeone you know seeks mental health services and supports. Some of the more common mental health conditions include:
A major depressive episode is a period of at least two weeks when a person experiences a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and has symptoms such as problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration or self-worth. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2017, the percentage of people aged 18-25 with a major depressive episode was 13.1%.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition, affecting 18.1% of the adult population, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. These disorders involve more than temporary worry orfear, which all people experience from time to time. With anxiety disorders, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time, interfering with school, work and relationships. Symptoms may include feeling restless, wound-up or on-edge, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, having difficulty controlling feelings of worry, and sleep problems.
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mood disorder that causes radical shifts in mood, energy and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. People with bipolar disorder experience periods of intense emotions and changes in behavior, called “mood episodes,” which can last days to weeks. Depressive episodes have symptoms of a depressive disorder, meaning a strong sense of sadness with low energy and motivation. Manic episodes are the opposite, when someone may feel energetic, optimistic and even euphoric, which can in turn lead to irrational, impulsive decision-making. The type and intensity of symptoms varies from person to person. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), adults with bipolar disorder represent 2.8% of the population.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. People with schizophrenia may at times seem like they have lost touch with reality, and if left untreated, symptoms can be persistent and disabling. People may experience hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there. They may also have delusions, which are firmly held beliefs not supported by objective facts, and experience paranoia and irrational fears that others are “out to get them.” They may also have thought disorders that include unusual thinking or disorganized speech. Treatments are available and can be very effective when delivered in a timely, coordinated and sustained manner. The National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI) reports that .25%-.64% of the population hasschizophrenia.
PTSD can occur after a person has been through a trauma, meaning a shocking and dangerous event someone experiences or witnesses. According to the National Center for PTSD, 7 to 8% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives. It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge or have trouble sleeping after a traumatic event. At first, it may be hard to do activities of daily living, like go to work or school or spend time with people you care about. But most people begin to feel better after a few weeks or months. If someone’s feelings persist longer than that and they have trouble functioning, they may have PTSD.
There are different types of eating disorders. The most common are anorexia nervosa, body dysmorphic disorder, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) reports that 9% of the U.S. population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.
- Anorexia nervosa is not getting enough calories in, which leads to a significantly low body weight. There is also an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.
- Body dysmorphic disorder is characterized as an obsession with an imaginary defect in physical appearance or extreme concern with a slight physical blemish that others may not even recognize.
- Bulimia nervosa is defined as repeated episodes of binge eating along with compensatory behavior. An episode of binge eating includes eating an amount of food larger than most people eat within a two – hour period with a lack of control over their eating during the episode. The person then compensates for the over – eating with fasting, self – induced vomiting, excessive exercise or use of laxatives, diuretics or other medications.
- Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, meaning eating an amount of food that is larger than most people eat within a two – hour period with a lack of control over their eating during the episode. The person may feel they cannot stop eating or control what or how much they are eating. A binge eating episode may also include eating very rapidly, eating until feeling uncomfortably full, eating large amounts of food when not feeling hungry, eating alone because of embarrassment over how much someone is eating, and feeling disgusted,depressed or very guilty afterward.
OCD is a common, chronic and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that they feel the urge to repeat over and over. People with OCD may have obsessions, compulsions or both. Obsessions are repeated thoughts, urges or mental images that cause anxiety. Common examples include fear of germs or contamination; unwanted, forbidden or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion or harm; aggressive thoughts towards others or self; and needing to have things symmetrical or in a perfect order. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a person with OCD feels the urge to do in response to an obsessive thought. Common examples include excessive cleaning and/or handwashing; ordering and arranging things in particular ways; repeatedly checking on things (i.e., checking to see if the door is locked or that the oven is off); and compulsive counting. A person with OCD generally cannot control their thoughts or behaviors; spends atleast an hour a day on these thoughts or behaviors; doesn’t get pleasure when performing the behaviors or rituals (but may feel brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause); and experiences significant problems in their daily life due to these thoughts or behaviors. NIMH reports 1.2% of adults will have OCD at some point in their lifetime
Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis, free and confidential 24-hour support is available through the National SuicidePrevention Lifeline, at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 800-273-TALK (8255), or the Crisis Text Line, at 741741.988 has been designated as a three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the U.S. starting on July 16, 2022.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also has a national helpline, at 800-662-HELP(4357), or TTY 800-487-4889. This is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. It provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. You can also find help by using SAMHSA’s online treatment locator at www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov or sending your zip code via text message to 435748 (HELP4U).
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