The Impact of Mental Health Disorders on Our Community

From addiction to depression to schizophrenia, mental health disorders come in all shapes and sizes. They can alter your thinking, emotions and behavior in both subtle and noticeable ways. Some disorders can be minor, while others can be debilitating or even life-threatening.

Mental health disorders can affect anyone at any age, but most are diagnosed by age 24. While sometimes the exact cause is unknown, these disorders are generally thought to be caused by genes, exposure to certain chemicals or environmental toxins while still in the womb, physical or mental abuse, or imbalances with the chemistry in your brain.

Some of the more common mental health disorders affecting the Stormont Vail Health community include:

• Depression (major depressive disorder): Depression causes long-term sadness, feelings of emptiness and a loss of interest in people and activities that used to be enjoyable. In severe cases it can lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts.
• Generalized anxiety disorder: Often referred to as simply “anxiety,” generalized anxiety disorder causes constant, persistent worry. Anxiety can lead a person to automatically expect the worst — even when there’s no need to do so.
• Seasonal affective disorder: This is a type of depression that typically only occurs in the fall and winter months. While the exact cause is unknown, lack of exposure to sunlight during these months is thought to be a significant contributing factor.
• Postpartum depression: Many women feel “baby blues” for a few days after giving birth. This includes feelings of mild depression, mood swings and insomnia. But when the depression becomes more severe and lasts for more than 10 days, it may be postpartum depression.
• Bipolar disorder (manic depression): Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings. People with this condition may feel exceptionally happy and energized (episodes of mania or hypomania), and then suddenly experience severe depression and fatigue (major depressive episodes).
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): People who have ADHD may experience hyperactivity (constant movement or restlessness), impulsiveness and difficulty paying attention. ADHD can affect people at any stage of life. Hyperactivity tends to improve as you age, but the other symptoms often continue.
• Schizophrenia: This disorder can make it appear as though the person who has it has lost touch with reality. Schizophrenia can cause hallucinations, delusions, a decreased sense of pleasure or enjoyment in day-to-day life, poor decision-making, trouble focusing, difficulty managing emotions and decreased ability to relate to others. This disorder is rare compared with other mental health conditions, but the symptoms can have be very serious, especially when untreated.
• Addiction: When a person becomes addicted to something, they feel as if they need to partake in a certain behavior (e.g. smoking, drinking alcohol, gambling) — and they cannot stop themselves from doing it. People most commonly become addicted to nicotine, alcohol, drugs, gambling, food or sex.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD occurs after a person witnesses or experiences a traumatic event — such as violence, assault, abuse, terrorist attacks, major emotional losses, accidents or involvement in combat. It can cause nightmares, flashbacks and severe anxiety. Among American adults, 70% have experienced a traumatic event that could lead to PTSD.

No matter what mental health disorder you have been diagnosed with, there is something very important to remember: You do not need to be ashamed. Mental illness is a medical condition, just like heart disease or asthma.