Understanding link between social withdrawal and mental illness

Understanding link between social withdrawal and mental illness

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Social withdrawal is the practice of knowingly avoiding people. It could also involve avoidance of activities that require some amount of social engagement. In extreme cases, people isolate or alienate themselves to such an extent that they could even avoid contact with their closest family members and friends. Social withdrawal is often confused with solitude, but it is not so. One might desire solitude and like it as well, but social withdrawal can spring from anxiety, lack of self-confidence or the fear of the unknown. Read more

Widespread ignorance about mental health issues is a reality, finds US survey

Widespread ignorance about mental health issues is a reality, finds US survey

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Awareness is a decisive factor in tackling the issues of mental health. It can play a pivotal role in removing stigma and discrimination. It can also help individuals suffering from such disorders, as well as those close to them identify the signs and symptoms, and seek professional help at the earliest. Read more

Guiding emotions for better mental health

Guiding emotions for better mental health

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Good mental health is indispensable for a person’s overall health. Compared to others, emotionally healthy individuals exercise a greater degree of control over their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Having a resilient mental health does not mean that a person would never experience emotional problems or mental illnesses. Oftentimes, it is a person’s positive attitude toward deciding factors in life that motivates him or her to get up when the going gets tough, especially during disappointments, setbacks, losses and other changes. Read more

Risk of mental illness in the highly stressful fashion industry

Risk of mental illness in the highly stressful fashion industry

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What can be a more appropriate quote than “All that glitter is not gold” in order to describe the glitz and glamor of the fashion industry? The sheen of the glamor industry often entices one to step in the shoes of designers and models. The elegant dresses, models and the multiple layers of makeup often hide the increased stress and tension prevailing in the fashion industry. Read more

Students of US universities lend a helping hand to peers with mental problems

Students of US universities lend a helping hand to peers with mental problems

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The field of mental health care is riddled with various challenges, the primary being those associated with access and costs. Statistics from an earlier report by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that there are only 7.79 psychiatrists for every 100,000 people in the United States. Added to this is the fact that they are not paid in proportion to the services they offer. Dr. Linda Girgis, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., feels that this is the reason why psychiatrists are either closing shop or are accepting cash payments only, a mode of payment many people are not comfortable with. Read more

Innovative technology encourages mental health screening and treatment

Innovative technology encourages mental health screening and treatment

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In a bid to counter the multi-layered challenges of providing easily accessible mental health care services to the public, a seemingly effective approach has been adopted by a number of states in the United States. The aim is to provide free, quick and anonymous mental health screening. The innovative idea of mental health screening through kiosks would enable a wider reach to people with mental disorders, especially those in areas where there are lesser professional mental health care service providers. The kiosk can help destigmatize mental illnesses that prevent people from seeking professional help. Read more

Soldiers prone to suicidal tendencies when deputed in units with a history of suicide

Soldiers prone to suicidal tendencies when deputed in units with a history of suicide

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Currently, the American military has over 2.5 million serving personnel either on an active duty, in the Reserves, or in the National Guard, as well as over 20 million civilians are apparently veterans. Joining the military and choosing to serve one’s country is a decision that encompasses the risk of injury and death, especially during the times of war.

During combat, people not only witness injuries and other fatalities due to enemy fire, accidents and other war-related events but also face other less understood and less expected, such as trauma, self-inflicted injuries and suicide. According to data published in USA Today, 265 active duty service members committed suicide in 2015. Read more

Tips to prevent cyberbullying

Tips to prevent cyberbullying

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In this age of social media, high-speed internet connections and ultra-sophisticated smartphones, it is impossible to remain aloof from the offerings of the virtual world. Connecting with loved ones staying miles apart was never so easy. Doing an online course, attending live concerts from the comforts of the home, and having access to zillions of things was an unimaginable concept a few years ago. But this exciting world of technology has also spawned a monster in the form of cyberbullying. Read more

Tips for dating a mentally distressed person

Tips for dating a mentally distressed person

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Dating, for some people, can be a fun experience. However, for some, it can be stressful, especially during the initial days when two people invest time and efforts in getting to know each other. Once the initial chemistry develops, the partners start sharing more about each other with respect to their backgrounds, values, political beliefs, goals and so on. During this getting-to-know-each-other phase, what if one of the partners reveals that he or she is struggling with a mental problem? While this might overwhelm the other person and the revelation could become a dealbreaker, one should always remember that mental problems are of various types and anyone could be affected by them. This, however, doesn’t mean that a mentally distressed person is unfit as a potential match. Read more

People with mood, behavioral problems need access to mental health care

People with mood, behavioral problems need access to mental health care

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Mental health illnesses have become a major concern in the United States. The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), the first of its kind to employ an elaborate research design to estimate Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) among a national sample of adults in the U.S. data, reported a 26.2 percent prevalence of mental illness in adults, within a 12-month period during 2001-2003. Read more