Mental illness is an element of human nature that is universally experienced directly and/or indirectly by all individuals. The perceptions surrounding mental illness vary based on multiple factors (culture, personal experience, predisposition, etc.) each individual encounters. For me, my viewpoint of mental illness developed over time and has changed drastically over the years. As my interactions with those suffering from a mental illness have increased, the biases I had about mental illness have dissolved. New anxieties have formed, with these changes, in my perception around working with individuals with a mental illness. For the sake of my career and personal health, I will overcome these anxieties or learn to cope with them. Mental illness is difficult to define; however, all of these previously stated factors influence my current definition of mental illness. I would define mental illness as a disease or sickness much like cancer. It has biological components (predisposition for mental illness) and environmental components (societal/cultural input). In this definition, mental illness is similar to cancer in that it is not contagious, but rather develops out of some reaction within, whether from a chemical imbalance, malfunction of the brain, or inability to cope with the difficulties life brings. In some situations, mental illness, in my opinion, develops from being too self-involved to the point of neuroticism. Thus, for cultures that put an emphasis to the extreme
To understand what mental illness is you have to know what it means. Mental health is the state of our well-being. Mental health has to do with the mind. According to thefreedictionary.com mental health is “a state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life”. Mental illness are behavioral, psychological, and emotional disorders that effect the mind. Mental illness is not something that should be avoided. There many different types of mental illnesses. There are also mental healthcare services that can help people with their mental illnesses.
Mental illness is a term which is used when a persons mind is affected in some way by a group of illnesses (Ministry of Health [MOH], 2012).
Mental illness becomes a bigger issue with a long lasting cultural stereotyped due to the manner in which it has long been labelled (Miles, 1988). Although mental illness is very much connected to instabilities in one’s mental health state, as previously mentioned, a person can be mentally healthy but still suffer from a mental illness. What is understood by mental illness is that it
Mental health is defined as the state of satisfactory use of mental function, which results in productive activities, interactions, adjustment to change and coping with challenges (Healthy People 2020, 2012). It is fundamental to one's personal well-being, his interpersonal relationships, and fruitful participation in, and contribution to, society in general. Mental illness or mental disorder refers as a whole to all diagnosable disturbances of the mind. These disturbances are characterized by changes in thinking, mood, and/or behavior, which produce pain, discomfort, abnormal functioning or death. Mental illnesses are serious medical conditions, which cannot be overcome by simple will power. They are not caused by personality weakness or intelligence (Healthy People 2020; NAMI, 2012).
Forget all the stereotypes of mental illness. It has no face. It has no particular victim. Mental illness can affect an individual from any background and the black community is no exception. African Americans sometimes experience even more severe forms of mental health conditions because of unmet needs and barriers to treatment. According to the Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. That’s why UGA third year Majenneh Sengbe is taking action as the co-founder of her upcoming organization Black Minds Daily.
Mental illness is a condition characterized by emotions, thoughts, or behavior that are substantially abnormal for a given time and place in history (p. 514). Historically, it has been broadly been defined by self-harm, unrealistic thoughts and perceptions (delusions, hallucinations, magical thinking, etc.), inappropriate emotions, and rapid shifts in moods or beliefs. All these criteria compare the
In fact, there still are many attitudes within most societies that view symptoms of mental disorders as threatening which frequently cause stigma towards people with mental health problems. Many stereotypes lead people to believe that people with mental health issues are violent, crazy & unpredictable. Those with mental illnesses are usually inaccurately accused of being downright lazy & weak, however, studies have worked to prove this myth untrue. According to Healthy People.gov, mental health is a state of successful mental functioning, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity. Many would agree that mental health is vital to a productive, healthy
Mental health, by the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his/her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his/her community” (“Mental health: a state of well-being,” 2014, Aug.) Mental illness is a medical condition caused by biological changes in the brain. Symptoms of a mental illness can include a change in a person’s thinking, altered mood or feelings, an incapability to relate to others, or having difficulty coping with ordinary demands of life (“Mental illness: What is mental illness?” 2014). A person’s mental illness is considered serious (as defined as federal regulations), when a person who is eighteen years or older has any psychiatric disorder, and the symptoms markedly hinder a person’s
A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, or mood. Mental illness…
Mental illnesses are not a thing of the past. They are also our present and future. John Q. Adams once said, “Who we are, is who we were.” That quote accurately describes mental illnesses and the mental health of humans everywhere. A mental illness can be defined as a health condition that changes a person 's thought process, emotions, behavior, and/or their body. Mental illness causes a person distress and difficulty in functioning and can lead to atrophy. They are ingrained in the wiring of many and they override safety precautions that the brain has set in place against viruses. Mental health issues affect society in many ways, such as identification, treatment, and overall understanding; as a result of this they have been mocked and dismissed for most of history.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a mental illness can be defined as a disorder, or multiple disorders that can all be on a spectrum, that can affect mood, cognitive abilities, and the way one acts. Mayo Clinic’s definition also includes the specification that, to be considered a mental illness, the symptoms generally effect a person’s ability to function in common life situations, all while causing quite a bit of stress. It becomes obvious that these types of diseases can be just as damaging as physical illnesses, hence the drastic need for treatment and continuing advancements in the methods of treatment.
Mental Illness specifically aims towards the concept of inability to perform practical functions, and as well as, the most vital view yet; a lifetime of affected cognitive thought or intelligence. Explicitly, mental illness is defined as “a wide range of mental conditions-disorders that affect your mood, thinking, and behavior" (Mental Illness). Unfortunately, the conditions of mental illness have an enormous impact in an individual's life, evidently to where life is not a rainbow enriched of life but a plain of black and white. Devastatingly, people tend to restrain themselves from those who are affected from a certain mental disorder. Typically, portraying them as an alienated population that potentially plummet down as unsuccessful people
My understanding of mental illness is gradually developing as I progress in my nursing program. I see mental disorder as a state of mind and the way of thinking or behaving, which interrupts with the person’s daily life and professional activity, and may or may not have signs of a physical illness. However, it is worth to mention, that not always I thought about mental illness this way. Decidedly, I used to think that people claim they have mental disorder just to make their life easier, so they can avoid responsibilities. My vision of mental health changed when I moved to Canada, and more changes occurred when I entered the nursing profession. Nonetheless, I still need a lot of information to clarify
Mental illness unfortunately, is a disease that overlaps normality. Every person has a moment of oddness where for some reason, a stimulation triggers an abnormal reaction. Hospital staff may have had a hard time distinguishing between the “sane” and the “insane” because many of the symptoms could have been exaggerated, making it seem as the patients behavior was derived from the mental illness. On the other hand the behavior could have just been one of those moments where a person responded oddly to a stimulation.
Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion or behavior or a combination of all three (What is Mental Illness). Mental illnesses are associated with distress or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. Mental illnesses take many forms, some are fairly mild and only interfere in limited ways with daily life, such as certain phobias and other mental health conditions are so severe that a person may need care in a hospital. Mental illnesses can affect anyone, regardless of your age, gender, income, social status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, background or other aspect of cultural identity (What is Mental Illness).