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Mood Disorders: The Psychology Of Mental Health In Society

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Understanding Mental Health in Society The psychology of mental health in humans is something that researchers will never stop investigating. In the United States, mood disorders and anxiety are the most prominent mental illnesses found in adults, with nearly 9.6% being diagnosed with a type of mood disorder and 18% with anxiety. Children and adolescents can also struggle with mental health problems at a young age. The social stigma surrounding mental health is a problem because people are not properly informed on the actual effects that come with being diagnosed with a mental disorder. People with disorders are viewed as being a threat to others or thought to be crazy. This stigma can cause people to not seek help because they are embarrassed …show more content…

Reports show that one in five youths suffer from a mental health disorder (Cummings.) Disorders like attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression are often not seen as a real issue to some adults. The children suffering from these disorders are just judged as being disruptive, lazy, or sad. ADD and ADHD both affect ones ability to pay attention, so leaving it untreated can dramatically affect how a student learns and result in bad grades in school. Being properly diagnosed and receiving counseling or medication for a certain disorder can improve a child’s ability to pay attention and in return make good grades. Depression in children is generally misunderstood due to the idea that being depressed means one is sad. The criterion for being diagnosed with depression is much more than simply being sad. In some cases the individual may not even appear to be sad on the outside but are internally suffering. Some of the criteria consist of irritable mood, lack of interest, change in sleep, weight changes, and feelings of worthlessness. The misconstrued perception of depression in children leads to them not being treated and can cause long-term mental health issues. Also, some young adults do not know how to tell their parents that they are struggling with their mental health and that they need help. Noticing signs of these problems and acting quickly will help children and adolescents receive necessary medication or

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