5 Common mental health issues explained

Mental health conditions are becoming more prevalent in our society with millions of people worldwide suffering from them.

There is also a lack of knowledge and understanding of these conditions and the stigma associated with them. Conditions can range from mild to severe and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, relationships and ability to function.

It’s essential to understand common mental health conditions, their symptoms and treatment options to help those struggling with them.

One in six South Africans suffers from anxiety, depression or substance use problems according to statistics released by the SA Depression and Anxiety Group. Research shows that more than 40% of people living with HIV in South Africa have a diagnosable mental disorder.

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South Africans live in a country with high crime rates and millions could be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder while many are undiagnosed.

Most people don’t know where to go for help or are too scared to ask for it.

Below are the five most common mental health disorders South Africans struggle with:

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and loss of interest in daily activities.

People with depression may also experience changes in appetite, sleep and energy levels. Symptoms include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or weight, difficulty sleeping, fatigue or lack of energy, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Treatment includes medication, therapy or a combination of both. Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat depression. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), can also help to manage symptoms.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a broad term used to describe several different conditions including generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and specific phobias. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder.

Generalised symptoms include excessive worry or fear about daily events, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension and fatigue. Panic disorder symptoms include sudden panic attacks, sweating, trembling, chest pain and feelings of impending doom.

Social anxiety disorder symptoms include fear of social situations. Specific phobia symptoms include intense fear of specific objects or situations such as spiders, heights or flying. Treatment options include medication, therapy or a combination of both. Antidepressants such as SSRIs are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. Therapy such as CBT can also help to manage symptoms.

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Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder affects a person’s mood, energy and ability to function. It’s characterised by periods of mania and depression.

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of disorder. Bipolar I disorder is characterised by episodes of mania that last at least seven days and are often followed by depression. Mania symptoms include feeling euphoric or elated, excessive energy or restlessness, racing thoughts, grandiosity and reckless behaviour.

Bipolar II disorder is characterised by episodes of depression and hypomania, a milder form of mania. Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder involving periods of hypomania and mild depression. Treatment options for bipolar disorder include medication, therapy or a combination of both. Therapy such as CBT or psych education, can also be helpful in managing symptoms.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia affects a person’s ability to think, feel and behave clearly. Symptoms can be grouped into positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations and disordered thinking. Negative symptoms include social withdrawal, lack of motivation and difficulty experiencing pleasure. Cognitive symptoms include problems with memory, attention and decision-making. Treatment typically involves a combination of medication, therapy, and support services can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.

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Eating disorders

Eating disorders are characterised by abnormal eating habits and a preoccupation with food, weight and body shape. They are associated with serious physical and psychological health consequences. The three most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa is characterised by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and severe restriction of food intake. Bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating followed by purging. Binge eating disorder is marked by recurrent episodes of binge eating without compensatory behaviours. Treatment involves a combination of therapy, nutrition counselling and medical management.

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