Looking at Mental Health
With New Eyes
Mental health problems touch us all.
Odds are you’ve had at least one
mental health problem at some point
in life. Or, you might be a friend,
relative, caregiver, or co-worker
of someone with a mental illness.
Consider these numbers from the
National Alliance on Mental Illness:
· 1 in 5 adults experience some form
of mental illness
· 1 in 25 adults experience serious
mental illness
· Nearly 1 in 5 youths under age 18
experience a mental health disorder
“The good news is that we’re steadily
seeing positive shifts in public
attitudes toward mental health,”
says Lawson Bernstein, MD, medical
director of Behavioral Health at UPMC
McKeesport. “People are recognizing
that mental illness is treatable. They
understand the value of getting help
for themselves and those they love.”
There are more than 200 types of
mental illness, some more serious
than others. The most common types
are:
· Anxiety
· Mood disorders (depression, bipolar
disorder)
· Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia)
· Eating disorders
· Dementia
· Substance abuse (drug and/or
alcohol addiction)
· Trauma (post-traumatic stress
disorder)
“A significant mental health disorder
affects the activities of daily life. You
find yourself saying ‘I can’t sleep. I
can’t concentrate at work. I’m like
a lump on a log. I’m so anxious I
can’t sit still,’” says Dr. Bernstein.
“When your daily life is impaired by a
mental health issue, it’s time to seek
treatment.”
A good place to start is with your
primary care doctor. “About 80%
of all mental health problems can
be managed by your primary care
doctor,” he adds. “But if you have
suicidal or homicidal thoughts,
or have psychotic symptoms like
hallucinations — especially if these
are new or worse — get immediate
help at the nearest emergency
department.”