Mental Health Awareness

 There are a lot of misconceptions regarding mental health, specially in the Indian society. Talking about Mental Health is still considered to be taboo in India. Talking about our mental health need to be normalized as it's just as important as your physical health. 

We Frequently go for Physical checkups but what about our minds? When was the last time you consulted an expert for your mental well-being? Why is mental health not a priority for us? Mental Health issues are real it's about time we start paying attention on them.

Some would say why is mental health awareness so important? well the answer to that is when there is awareness about mental health it eases identification and early treatment for these individuals. These individuals could be our father, mother, son, daughter, neighbor, friend, or it could be ourselves. Early intervention can help our loved one receive appropriate care. As a result, recovery is faster.

Awareness also eliminates stigma for these people. If we are aware of their limitations and strengths, stigma may disappear. Let’s just say, your daughter was just diagnosed bipolar disorder. Would you like those around you comment, “she is crazy, lock her up.” Stigma shames the mentally ill. Awareness can also create new improvements for the mentally ill. As there is more demand from the public, it can produce a flow of attention.

Stress & Anxiety have become such a common part of modern lives, we really judge the person who is sitting calm and enjoying his life. Whether you are a student who is appearing for your boards, a father managing things between family and work or a newlywed who is trying to adjust to the new family, we all are dealing with a certain level of stress and fear of uncertainty that is making us more anxious. How do we know the person around us might be showing signs of depression?

• The person constantly feels hopeless, isolates themselves and gets sad often.

• They find it hard to function in personal and professional life.

• There is a lack of motivation to get out of bed.

• They struggle to decide about anything.

• They snap and get agitated easily.

• They feel tired all the time and concentrating on something is not their best suit.

• The person hardly sleeps or oversleep to get over with their days.

• They will have panic attacks and irrational fears.

• They start worrying too much about everything.

• They find it hard to find a solution or draw a road map to overcome difficulties insight.

WHAT IS ANXIETY DISORDER ? Everyone feels anxious now and then. But if anxiety doesn’t go away and is affecting your everyday life, then you might have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are very common and they can be treated.But for some people, anxious feelings don’t go away. They can see situations as much worse than they really are, and their anxiety affects their ability to concentrate, sleep and carry out ordinary tasks. These feelings can be caused by anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorder are the most common groups of mental health. However these can be treated. learning about them is an import first step while treating them.

HOW CAN WE TREAT ANXIETY? Treating a person with anxiety mostly depends on the nature of the anxiety disorder and individual preferences. Often treatment will combine different types of therapy and medication.

SELF TREATMENT

In some cases anxiety can be treated at home without clinical supervision. However this may be limited to shorter and less severe periods of anxiety. Some things that you can do to cope with anxiety are:-

1)Exercise

2)Talk to someone

3)Relaxation techniques like yoga,long baths, deep-breathing techniques, listening to songs

4)Stress Management

COUNSELING AND THERAPY

For more severe and long term cases of anxiety one must consult a doctor and undergo psychological counseling and therapy. Sessions might explore the triggers of anxiety and possible coping mechanisms.

WHAT IS BIPOLAR DEPRESSION? Bipolar disorder is a condition where people experience extreme moods. It was previously known as 'manic depression'.

People with bipolar disorder experience periods or 'episodes' of:

1)extreme lows, or depression - where they feel very low and lethargic

2)extreme highs, or mania - where they feel very high and overactive (less severe mania is known as 'hypomania')

Where to get help?? If you need help, talking to your doctor is a good place to start. If you'd like to find out more, or talk to someone else, here are some organisations that can help:

1. India: International Bipolar Foundation : CALL : +91-8888817666

2. Jeevan Aastha Helpline : Toll Free : 1800 233 3330

WEBSITE : http://www.jeevanaastha.com/

EMAIL : help@jeevanaastha.com

3. AASRA : 09820466726 , 022-27546669 or 27546667 Website : http://www.aasra.info/helpline.html

4. CALL : 104 ( IN PUNJAB , JHARKHAND , CHATTISHGARH , ASSAM , JHARKHAND , KARNATAKA AND MANY OTHER STATES )