Psychiatry & Mental Health
Mental Health
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. Therefore, a psychiatrist is the medical doctor who specializes in mental health disorders.
Importance of Mental Health
Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness.
Mental Health in Numbers*
Mental disorders are among the most common health conditions. In 2019, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common. In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial estimates show a 26% and 28% increase respectively for anxiety and major depressive disorders in just one year. While effective prevention and treatment options exist, most people with mental disorders do not have access to effective care. Many people also experience stigma, discrimination and violations of human rights.
Causes of Mental Disorders
People can experience different types of mental disorders that affect their emotional, cognitive and behavioural function at any age. These disorders can present on their own or can lead to other comorbidities that affect their daily function such as interpersonal, social, and work performance; and can occur over a short period of time, can be episodic and some may even be chronic. If left untreated they may lead to a reduction in quality of life and impairment of wellbeing.
A number of factors may contribute to an increased risk of mental disorders. These include adverse childhood experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse, experiences related to chronic physical conditions, biological factors, chemical imbalances in the brain, use of alcohol or drugs, and experiencing loneliness or isolation.
Mental Disorders
There are more than 200 types of mental disorders which include difficulty adjusting after a major life changes or loss, difficulty adjusting to stress, anxiety disorders, depression, postpartum depression, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), psychotic disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, eating disorders, sleep disorders.
Psychiatrists use different methods of treatment including psychotherapy, medications, and psychosocial interventions depending on the needs of the patient. These treatments aim to relief the symptoms, restore, and optimize the functioning of the patient. The medications used are similar to those used to treat high blood pressure and diabetes. After completing thorough evaluations, a psychiatrist can prescribe them to help correct imbalances in brain chemistry that are thought to be the reason behind some mental disorders.
Psychiatrist vs Psychologist
Psychiatrists have medical training that allows them to prescribe medications, perform procedures, and treat mental health conditions. While psychologists provide counseling and non-medical support using talk therapy to help.
*References and data collected from WHO