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Mental Health: Article Analysis

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Many know the importance of good physical health however seem to forget the importance of mental health. Mental health is one of the most important factors of a person's life, as it continues to affect them throughout their childhood into adulthood. MedlinePlus' article "Mental Health" defines mental health as including "our emotional, psychological, and social well-being" ("Mental"). The mind affects a person's thinking process, how one feels, and how one makes daily decisions. A healthy state of mind strengthens a person's ability to maintain stable relationships, make the smartest choices to benefit their life and keep an overall strong physical health. Many benefits come from having good mental health, however a person suffering from poor …show more content…

The brain contains neurons which send electrical impulses and chemical signals to the brain as well as the rest of the nervous system. The chemical message delivered is called a neurotransmitter which then send messages between neurons. The problem occurs when this process does not work correctly. Nimh.nih.gov's article "The Working Brain" tells that "Communication between neurons can also be electrical, such as in areas of the brain that control movement. When electrical signals are abnormal, they can cause tremors or symptoms found in Parkinson's disease" ("Working"). The brain will decide when it wants the body to tremor or display another symptom of a disease which is completely out of the person's control. Three main neurotransmitters released from the brain are serotonin, dopamine and glutamate. Serotonin controls many functions including mood, hunger and a person's sleep schedule. Those diagnosed with depression usually are lacking in their serotonin levels. Dopamine mainly controls movement and focuses on the flow of information to the brain. Having too little amounts of dopamine can play a role in developing disorders such as schizophrenia and attention deficit disorder. Glutamate is the most common, having many important roles involving the brain and nervous system. Many mental disorders arise from having a problem with making or using glutamate. Autism, obsessive …show more content…

It develops from different risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality and life events. beyondblue.org's article "Types of Anxiety" explains that anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, social anxiety, and separation anxiety. Anxiety triggers the "fight or flight" response produced by the amygdala. Emotional memories stored in the amygdala may also play a role for an anxiety response. Generalized anxiety disorder is when a person feels anxious or worried the majority of time about every day activities or responsibilities. Biological factors and a family history of mental health conditions are usually linked to generalized anxiety. Panic disorder describes the condition when panic attacks occur frequently and unexpectedly. During a panic attack a person may experience difficulty breathing, the feeling of dying, choking, and an increased heart rate. Negative life experiences, certain medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and asthma, and having family history of anxiety increase the chances to develop a panic disorder. Social anxiety takes place in social situations, leading up to intense anxiety. person may feel as though they are being made fun of or judged in everyday situations. This type of anxiety is more common in women than men and usually develops during

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