10 Common Mental Health Battles Faced by 30% of the Population

The most common illness that modern people experience is not the common cold, muscle pain, or even COVID-19, but ‘mental illness’. Mental illness affects 3 out of 10 people in their lifetime. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, about 450 million people worldwide are suffering from it. It’s often said that every modern person has at least one mental illness. There are various types of mental illness, and the ways to suppress their manifestation differ from person to person. In this article, we will introduce the most common mental illnesses that modern people suffer from.

Depression

Depression can be considered the most common mental illness that modern people experience. People can temporarily fall into sadness and suffering, but depression refers to a state where emotions sink more deeply and this state lasts for a considerable period. Sometimes, the mood sinks so much that you can’t do anything. Depression is also referred to as a ‘cold of the mind,’ implying that it can easily come and go. Mild depression may naturally disappear, but if the depressed state lasts for a long time, appropriate consultation and prescription from a specialist are necessary.

Anxiety Disorder

It is natural for a person to be wrapped in anxiety when facing important tasks. Sometimes, such anxiety can act as a driving force to handle the task well. However, some people feel excessive tension and anxiety in normal situations. This prolonged state of excessive anxiety is called an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, etc. If anxiety becomes excessive to the point of manifesting physical symptoms, it is best to receive drug treatment through a specialist’s prescription.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is a mental illness which 200,000 people receive treatment for annually. It is a type of anxiety disorder and refers to a state where extreme anxiety and fear suddenly attack at unpredictable times. It often accompanies physical effects such as increased heart rate and breathing. Panic disorder usually comes with agoraphobia. The most direct treatment for panic disorder is drug prescription, which can alleviate symptoms and prevent attacks.

Burnout Syndrome

The mental illness that has been rapidly increasing in recent years is burnout syndrome. Burnout syndrome is a symptom classified as a job-related problem phenomenon by the World Health Organization in 2019. It is a phenomenon where a person who is immersed in work becomes exhausted due to extreme fatigue, and the main factor is stress from work. Burnout syndrome itself is not a mental illness, but if you experience these symptoms for a long time, it can lead to depression and anxiety disorder, so caution is needed.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental illness often cited as the main factor in unforeseen heinous crimes. It shows symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, bizarre behavior, incomprehensible speech, lack of expression, loss of motivation, and avoidance of interpersonal relationships. The cause of schizophrenia has not yet been accurately identified, but it is speculated to occur due to abnormalities in neurotransmitters. Schizophrenia is a disease that requires intensive treatment, and rehabilitation and hospitalization are necessary along with drug treatment.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders refer to mental illnesses related to developmental delay or brain damage of the central nervous system. This is different from the previously mentioned symptoms where psychological factors play a large role. It is a concept that includes childhood and adolescent mental disorders that appear from the beginning of life, and the treatment methods vary depending on the symptoms. It can be said to be a mental illness that collectively refers to diseases such as intellectual disability, communication disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and motor disorders.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is considered a typical mood disorder. It is also called ‘bipolar disorder’ because symptoms of mania, where the mood is uplifted, and depression, where the mood sinks, appear. Generally, it is difficult to recognize the state of being intoxicated by happiness as a strange feeling. If you are generally in an elevated mood but get angry over trivial things and behave aggressively, you can suspect bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can develop into delusions due to excessive obsession, so comprehensive treatment is required.

Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment disorder refers to emotional or behavioral disorders that occur within a certain period after experiencing stress. The main cause of stress is when an individual experiences a level of stress that they cannot handle, it manifests. Sudden external emotional shocks can also be the cause. What is scary about adjustment disorder is that it can lead to extreme choices if you cannot withstand excessive stress. Drugs can be used for treatment, but psychological treatments such as recognizing the cause of stress can be more efficient.

Delusional Disorder

Delusional disorder refers to a mental illness where delusions occur due to a disorder in a person’s ability to judge reality. It encompasses cases where those telling stories that differ from facts are not persuaded by logical explanations and cannot let go of incorrect beliefs or thoughts. While it does not reach the severe state of schizophrenia, in many cases, it shows delusions that can be socially acceptable. Delusional disorder is difficult to treat as most of those suffering from the disorder do not recognize their condition as an illness.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders refer to cases where people have trouble eating food due to mental problems. Anorexia and the opposite, binge eating disorder (bulimia nervosa), can be mentioned as the most common examples. Although the symptoms are opposites, anorexia and binge eating disorder are closely linked. Most of those suffering from eating disorders are aware of their symptoms and have a strong tendency to want treatment. For treatment, a normal diet to treat eating disorders can be helpful.

By. Deok Soo Choi