Mental Health

Mental Health is often misjudged and not taken seriously because of the fact it is 'invisible'. Unlike most ailments that show visible symptoms like vomiting, coughs, colds, swelling or even suffering with broken bones which are clearly visible because of a limp and wearing a cast, a mental ailment can not be seen as it is a problem within the head, concealed away. Although this is the case, it doesn't mean that the illness doesn't effect someone in any way, in fact, it can be just as harsh as any other ailment.

Lots of mental illnesses are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain which causes the brain to act differently than a normal brain. If you lack the balance of the chemical serotonin in your brain (the happy chemical) it can cause the sufferer to feel sad and feel negative emotions, even without reason which makes it hard for people to understand who do not suffer with this imbalance as they think you need a reason to be sad. Some mental illnesses can make the sufferer see things that are not there or hear things that are not there. This is caused by too many levels of Dopamine (a chemical which carries information to the brain).

These chemical imbalances can not be helped so it is through no fault of the sufferer. Many people suffer in silence as they are too afraid to speak out as there is a stigma around mental health. People are often accused of faking the suffering and most people believe mental illnesses do not exist and that you can just snap out of it when you can not, this is why medication is available.

Some can be caused by genetics or environment. There are many contributing factors like abuse, neglect, trauma, alcohol and drugs, all of which can have a negative impact on the way people feel/think.

During my project I am going to focus on a few mental illnesses in particular; Anxiety, Depression and Psychosis. I have chose these 3 as I have close friends that have/do experience these as well as myself so I would like to give people a better understanding of them with a series of creative imagery.

Anxiety
Anxiety is the increased feeling of worry/fear felt constantly rather than just in certain situations like job interviews and getting bad news.
Causes: Imbalance of the brain chemicals Serotonin and Noradrenaline (both help control mood) and overactivity of the brain. Stressful or traumatic experiences and drug/alcohol misuse can all contribute.
Symptoms: Constant worry/fear, social phobia, tensing, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, heart palpitations, dizziness, increased heart rate, excessive sweating, trouble concentrating, hyperventilation, shaking and hot flushes. You might try to avoid social events and leaving the house only when needed and cancelling plans.
Treatment: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and the medication Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The therapy helps understand your emotions and how to control them and the medication helps release serotonin to ehance your mood. You can help reduce effects of anxiety by exercising regularly and cutting down on alcohol and caffeine.

Depression
Feeling in a constant low mood for a long period of time, usually for n reason.
Causes: Negative life events and experiences like abuse, death and neglect. Also health problems, drugs, alcohol, sleep, diet, exercise.
Symptoms: Feeling low all the time, tearful, restless, irritable, isolated, lacking self confidence and self esteem, suicidal, loss of apetite and losing weight, eating too much and gaining weight. You may find yourself distancing yourself from others and feeling very tired leading to sleeping more often. In extreme cases you can experience delusions and hallucinations (hearing voices, seeing things)which can seem real.
Treatments: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and medication (anti-depressants) including Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's) and Serotonin and Noreprinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI's)

Psychosis
Psychosis is when you 'lose touch' with reality, interpreting things around you differently. You can become delusional and hallucinate. It is often linked to other mental disorders and not just experienced by itself. It can be caused from depression and schizophrenia. It is usually a short term experience known as a psychotic episode.
Causes: Drugs, lack of sleep, abuse or trauma, bereavment. Linked with other mental health problems.
Symptoms: Delusions, hallucinations,
Treatment: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), anti-depressants, mood stabilisers and anti-psychotics which are mild tranquilisers.

https://www.rethink.org/diagnosis-treatment/conditions/psychosis/causes?gclid=CjwKEAiAvZTCBRDvnoOaoa2j3xISJABxPjN9xMs5Ix63lwn-RLOBsX1axG_AbEpo-eiPlzIbJpKXSxoCP9Lw_wcB

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anxiety/pages/introduction.aspx

http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/symptoms/#.WEXOcfmLTIU
http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/psychosis/treatment-and-support/#.WEXWZfmLTIU