Topic 1 Mental health issues
Some of the most common conditions you may are:
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- A mental health condition, when people experience a variety of symptoms after the exposure to a traumatic event.
- Most common symptoms include
- Flashbacks
- Re-living the traumatic event
- Nightmares
- Intrusive thoughts
- Anxiety
- Avoidance
- Changes in mood and thinking
Coping PTSD:
- Identify the triggers – try to think when PTSD symptoms come up, in which situations, how your body reacts. Take a paper and write the symptoms, situations and body reactions down.
- Coping with triggers – internal triggers such as emotions and thoughts are difficult to control, however external triggers e.g. a specific place or event, is something that can be avoided if it works as a trigger
- Work on effective coping strategies e.g. relaxation techniques, deep breathing, expressive writing –stress management courses can help
Have a safety plan- a safety plan is designed to keep you safe when you are suddenly confronted with a difficult situation or crisis. It is basically a way of planning ahead for how to cope with problems should they arise e.g. what would you do if you start to experience a flashback while at the grocery store? How would you cope with intrusive thoughts while at work?
You can learn more about it here
Depression
- Common mental health issue, a mood disorder, much more than sadness
- Most common symptoms include:
- Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
- Loss of interest
- Appetite or weight changes
- Sleep changes
- Loss of energy
- Anger or irritability
- Self-loathing
- Concentration problems
- Unexplained aches and pains
Treating depression
- Depression, even in most serious cases can be treated.
- Early diagnosis and immediate search for professional support is very critical for an effective treatment treatment.
- Through psychotherapy, individually or in a group to better cope with challenges and reduce stress.
- Through prescribed medication, which can improve the individual’s mood and reduce stress, always with the guidance of a health professional regarding the type of medication, the dosage and the duration of the treatment.
- Through a combination of psychotherapy and prescribed medication.