Reflective Essay On Mental Health

The following essay will begin by demonstrating what is understood by the concept of mental health. It will attempt to identify different explanations for the underlying issues causing mental illnesses and it will then centre around a case study focusing specifically on one mental health problem. A description of what the causes and effects of the chosen illness will be given and information on the available treatment will be presented. To round up the assignment a brief explanation of the chosen case study will be included with an attempt to distinguish the common issues identified and how they relate to the literature information provided throughout. In this assignment, the case study chosen will target depression.

The disease called Alzheimer’s is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States (Weiner, 1987). It is estimated that the elderly population will double between now and 2030. During this period, the number of elderly will grow by an average of 2.8% annually (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001). By 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s is estimated to range from 11.3 million to 16 million (Alzheimer’s Association, 2005). These startling numbers should prompt an examination into one of the leading causes of death among this group of people. Understanding what Alzheimer’s is and the known causes of the disease are a good starting point. For those who have aging family members, knowing the risk factors and warning

In my culture, society looks down on mental illness, and when news of mental illness gets out in the society, one’s reputation is pretty much destroyed. My elder brother, Imran, was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was a teenager. My family was still living in Bangladesh at the time, and my brother’s illness was treated as a secret by my parents. My parents went above and beyond to hide my brother’s illness because we come from a culture that is quick to condemn parents for their children being abnormal. My family felt very protective of the fact that we had mental illness in our family. Family visitation and guests in our home were strictly monitored by my mother and my siblings, and I was coached to make excuses for my brother. My brother’s illness shaped me as a person because I realized that I needed to be able to overcome the obstacles life throws in my way in order to take care of my family.

This unit aims to provide the learner with knowledge of the main forms of mental health problems according to the psychiatric classification system. Learners also consider the strengths and limitations of this model and look at alternative frameworks for understanding mental distress. The focus of the unit is on understanding the different ways in which mental health problems impact on the individual and others in their social network. It

It not easy to determine how many people suffer from mental illness. This is due to the changing definitions of mental illness and problems classifying, diagnosing, and reporting mental disorders. There are social stigmas attached to mental illness, such as being labeled "crazy," being treated as a danger to others, and being denied jobs or health insurance coverage. These negative connotations keep many sufferers from seeking help, and many of those in treatment do not reveal it on surveys. Some patients do not realize that their symptoms are caused by mental disorders. Even though more is being learned about how the brain works a lot of information has still yet to be discovered, thus mental health professionals must continually reevaluate how mental illnesses are defined and diagnosed. The Surgeon General 's report estimated that roughly 20% of the United States population was affected by mental disorders and that 15% use some type of mental health service every year. Community surveys estimate about 30% of the adult population in the United States suffer from mental disorders.

A major devastating and debilitating disease, Alzheimer 's is a public health issue that affects not only the United States but also countries all around the world. In 2010, there were 35.6 million people living with Alzheimer’s. Researchers and medical personnel expect this number to triple by the year 2050. The disease is costing America an exorbitant amount of money and has become a burden on families, caregivers, medical personnel, the healthcare system, and the nation’s economy. If attention is not focused on this major problem, “nursing homes will be overloaded, caregivers will be burned out, healthcare system will be overwhelmed, and federal and state budgets will be overtaxed” (Alzheimer’s Association, 2011).

Alzheimer 's disease currently ranks as the #6 leading cause of death in the United States and with the "Baby Boomer" generation currently standing as the largest aging population in the US, there is already a surge in need to support these individuals. Our society must understand and find ways on how to best care for these individuals. My interest in this topic stems from my professional interest in Nutrition and how it impacts Alzheimer 's disease as well as my desire to study the epidemiology behind Alzheimer 's. Additionally, as an adult caring for aging parents, the topic of long term health care often brings up questions about what options are available and how does my family pay for these services.

After the completion of graduation, I intend to work with mental health patients within the correctional system. I understand that I need to further my education in order to be a licensed psychologist, so therefore I intend to do so at an accredited university. Mental health has been an intense interest of mine since a tragedy a few years ago. Depression stole my life, just like it steals thousands of lives every year. I had no idea what I was drowning in. Depression followed me like a shadow and consumed me like a tornado. It blinded me from being the perfectionist I once was. So much was expected from me, so much was assumed for me to be able to conquer. By outward appearance I had it all going for me; I had received a division one athletic

Comprehensive Mental Health Services (CMHS) is an organization in Kansas City, Missouri dedicated to serving those with mental illnesses, ranging from both low- to high-functioning. This group has a for-profit and non-profit side. The for-profit side utilizes doctors, nurses, and a pharmacy to aide in the non-profit side. Case workers, therapists, addiction recovery, and group homes are all funded via the organization. With diverse staff involvement, CMHS has a multitude of positions ranging from full-time salary doctors, to full-time hourly case workers, to volunteers. Volunteers vary between other organizations that CMHS collaborates with, including Harvester’s food pantry, and even patients who want to donate their time to some of the less-fortunate. While those with mental illnesses are oppressed, this report is not about their oppression, rather their open-mindedness on the oppression of those around them.

The primary audience for this article is those affected by Alzheimer’s Syndrome, their family members that are seeking more detailed information, care takers, neurosurgeons, cardiovascular physicians, nursing professionals, nursing students, college professors and educators. The secondary audience would consist of hospital staff that did not attend presentation. According to the National institute of Health, “Age is the primary risk factor for developing dementia. For that reason the number of people living with dementia could double in the next 40 years with an increase in the number of Americans who are age 65 or older- from 40 million today to more than 88 million in 2050. Regardless of the form of dementia, the personal economic and societal demands can be devastating”

More than 5 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer's disease, a number that will grow to 13.4 million by 2050. Health experts estimate that a 65-year-old has a 10% risk of developing Alzheimer's and that baby boomers currently approaching peak age for the disease (60 to 80) will add $627 billion in Alzheimer's-related health care costs to Medicare. There is a considerable psychological price tag too, for patients and caregivers alike--and a fear factor. In a recent poll conducted for The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes On Alzheimer's, 84% of adults surveyed were concerned that they or someone in their family would be affected by the disease. That fear is compounded by the belief that research for Alzheimer's is lagging behind

Health care needs become more challenging every day; in fact, it is one of the biggest problems the American economy faces today. However, within the next 20 years the population of adults ages sixty-five and older is expected to increase and “age is the key factor for development in later life” (Dilworth-Anderson, Pierre & Hilliard, 2012, p. 27). Recent studies have shown there are approximately 5.3 million Americans that have Alzheimer’s disease and it is expected to increase over

There is a growing epidemic in the United States that makes life for senior citizens fraught with danger and uncertainty. The current state in which millions of senior citizens live is frightening. Since 2015, there is an estimated five million people who are dealing with the effects of the Alzheimer’s disease and around 83,000 who die from it each year. Although doctors have some methods of treating Alzheimer's disease, these methods are quite inadequate. Even if family were to use the current Alzheimer’s disease treatment methods, it would only minimally delay the effects of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the treatments for Alzheimer's disease is often too expensive for family to cover the cost. With all of this in mind, it is necessary

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to Shan (2013), “is the most common form of dementia. It is a degenerative, incurable, and terminal disease.” (p. 32). AD is a disease in which the brain essentially deteriorates, is vastly progressive, and complex. Because there is no cure for this disease, scientists and researchers should continue seeking effective prevention measures. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for hundreds of thousands of geriatric deaths each year, and affects not only the patient, but the caregivers and loved ones as well.

During life dilemmas, do you feel you’re unable to endure through daily functions and once the circumstance is resolved, do you often feel relieved? This occurrence is a part of everyone's life, but for my family this happens everyday with very few serene moments. However, in the peaceful times with my family, my mind and body are at ease, and I wish that feeling would last forever. Unfortunately, the aroma of tranquility departs while I’m experiencing the motions of my demanding life. In the stressful times diligent quotes such as “This, too, shall pass” and “Everything happens for a reason” have helped accomplish my daily responsibilities. In the past few years, these simple, encouraging words have provided me the confidence to overcome obstacles with my family, anxiety, and depression. I believe, that mental illnesses have added an unbearable amount of stress and pain to individuals and families.