Do U Know?

Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

The positive dimension of mental health is stressed in WHO’s definition of health as contained in its constitution: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

This fact file highlights the important aspects of mental health and disorders.

(Source- World Health Organisation)

“Mental disorder” means any disorder or disability of the mind.

(Source- Mental Health Act, UK)

Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.

(Source- American Psychiatric Association)

NO. Being mentally unwell DOES NOT MEAN that someone is mad!!!

Unfortunately, people commonly perceive certain types of mental illnesses as being mad. Example, Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Mania, etc. Because sometimes in these conditions, the person may behave in such a manner which appears very strange to others. However, such conditions form only a small part of the Mental Disorder and Illnesses.

There are other conditions which are very common and again unfortunately, a lot of people suffer silently with such conditions without seeking help. Feeling anxious, feeling low in mood, feeling preoccupied with certain thoughts or behaviors, etc are all very common and part of our mental and emotional health and well-being.

Many people get psychiatrists and psychologists confused with each other.

The three main differences between psychiatrists and psychologists are:

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists are not.
• Psychiatrists can prescribe medication (only if required), psychologists can’t.
• Psychiatrists diagnose illness, manage treatment and provide a range of therapies for complex and serious mental illness. Psychologists focus on providing psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients.

Psychiatrists and psychologists often work together as part of mental health teams. A psychiatrist might make an initial assessment and diagnosis, then refer you to a psychologist for ongoing psychological treatment (talking

Source of Above Information:

1. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists www.ranzcp.org

2. www.yourhealthinmind.org

If you think that you may be mentally unwell, then it would be helpful to start by seeing a Psychiatrist for a detailed assessment of your mental health. The Psychiatrist is the medical doctor who specializes in Mental Health. The Psychiatrist will assess, diagnose and then advise a treatment plan which should include therapy, medicines, or other things, as required.

Even if you are not sure that you may or may not have a mental illness, it would still be useful in getting assessed. The reason for this is that-

• While there is no harm in getting an assessment done even if the outcome of assessment shows that you don’t have a mental health problem.
• But if it was the other way around, say one does have a mental illness and does not get this assessed, than there is significant risk of mental health gradually deteriorating. The earlier the problem is caught the better; as in the early stages, treatment may not need medicines. However, in later stages, treatment with medicines may be needed.

No, not at all. You should not worry that you will be only given medicines. As mentioned, Psychiatrist will do a detailed assessment and then advise a treatment plan which should include different types of treatments like therapy, medicines. In fact, in many cases, medicines are not even required. Injections, Electric Shocks, Admission to mental hospital- these are even rarer!