Mental Health 101

Written by John Potter

Life does not always turn out as planned. Everyone goes through good and bad times. Sometimes, it seems like the weight of the world is pressing down; at other times, the world is simply out of sync with normality. Is it just you? Are you or some you love going crazy? How can you tell? What is mental health anyway?

The question is not as easy to answer as some people might think. For example, is an individual simply sad or clinically depressed? Does the person have an overly energetic and careless, or exhibiting the symptoms of a manic depressive? Not all mentally ill individuals are listening to voices in their heads or ranting and raving uncontrollably.

Am I Crazy?

So, for those who are worried about going off the deep end, or have a family member that has questionable behavior, the following four areas need further exploration:

Behaviors
Feelings
Unusual thoughts
Physical signs

In order to determine if an individual is in good mental health or may have a mental disorder, health care professionals will have to evaluate a patient. But, the person will also have to take a personal evaluation.

Behaviors

In truth, some people know they have a mental disorder; but, they have no idea how to cope with the problem. For example, an individual with obsessive-compulsive disorder knows it is not normal to wash his/her hands excessively. But, it is more than a habit to change. If only it were that easy.

Feelings

Feelings are very powerful, and are often justified by the circumstances. For instance, it is expected to be deeply saddened by the death of a loved one. However, if an overwhelming depression is ongoing for months, for no particular reason, the time has come to talk to a health care professional.

Alternatively, feelings of extreme jubilation-to the point of bouncing off the walls- can be a sign of mania or other mental health illness. For instance, if a person is so happy that he/she goes dancing in the streets, with no thought for personal safety, it can signal a problem. It is normal to be concerned about getting squished by a motor vehicle.

Thoughts

While it is perfectly normal to have a mixture of jumbled thoughts once in a while, it is not rational to hear voices or think that the television is sending a subversive message from an alien planet.
In addition, thoughts of suicide are a sign of mental illness. Self-preservation is a normal. But, when someone starts talking about wanting to die, or makes threats of self-harm, it is time to get help NOW.

Physical Signs

Watch a scary movie in the middle of the night, with all of the lights off. When something happens, the popcorn might fly through the air, as a result of jumping. Every little sound is magnified. If the phone rings, the heart seems to land in the throat. The hands are clammy, breathing speeds up and the heart starts to race.
All of these are normal reactions, when people are scared half out of their wits. But, what if these symptoms occur for no apparent reason? All of these physical signs are also symptoms of panic disorder or some other mental illness.

Mental Health Diagnosis

A diagnosis of mental illness or mental health is not an instant process. The doctor will not take one look at the patient and determine his/her mental status. A definitive diagnosis is reached after a process of careful evaluation. The health care professional will use three main sources, to make his/her clinical decision:

Medical criteria
Self-perception
Conversations with close family and friends

One source of reference is not enough to declare a mental disorder or pronounce a person mentally healthy. The physician will take all the information into consideration, before prescribing any treatment, or deciding the symptoms are a temporary result of present circumstances.

Medical Criteria

One of the first considerations for diagnosing mental illness is determining if the signs and symptoms are part of the medical criteria for a mental disorder. The doctor does not arbitrarily make the decision. He/she consults a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM). The larger book has specific data for over 300 different mental illnesses. Signs and symptoms are listed. The information is used to help in the diagnostic process, but it is not the sole determinate.

Self-Perception

A large part of the diagnostic process is discussing how the patient is coping with life. Work and personal relationships will be assessed. Sadness lasting longer than a few months is also a significant sign of clinical depression, even after the loss of a loved one. For example, an individual may not have the energy or will to even get out of bed, shower, change clothes, or eat properly.

Friends and Family

After talking to the patient, the doctor will want to talk to friends and family. Sometimes, others can recognize signs of mental illness, before it becomes apparent to the individual in question. So, it is good to get a more objective assessment.

Mental health vs. mental illness is not a subjective matter of opinion. Tests and assessments are necessary to make a proper diagnosis. But, treatment can help those diagnosed with mental illness lead more normal and happy lives.