Health and Medicine - Mental Health (SOCI 1306)

Health and Medicine SOCI 1306 Mental Health There are many different consequences experienced by those who have mental illnesses, which are serious, long-lasting mental problems requiring long-term therapy, and those who have mental disorders, which make it harder to function with daily life. Twenty percent of adult Americans, or more than 50 million persons, suffer from a mental disease or problem, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Of them, 13 million (5 percent of the adult population) suffer from a major mental disease or disorder; a serious mental illness is defined as one that results in impairment or disability (National Institute of Mental Health 2021). Lastly, according to the National Alliance on Mental disease 2021, 16.5% of children between the ages of 6 and 17 have a mental disease or condition. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illnesses in the US. According to the Anxiety and Depression Institute of America (2021), around 18% of American people are expected to have symptoms in a single year, and 28% are expected to experience symptoms throughout the course of a lifetime. It's critical to differentiate between infrequent anxiety episodes and a real anxiety condition. Everybody experiences anxiety occasionally as a natural response to stress, but anxiety disorders are prolonged periods of concern and fear that persist for months at a time. Panic disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and particular and social phobias are examples of anxiety disorders. Mood disorders rank second among mental illnesses in the US; around 10% of adult Americans are expected to have a mood disorder each year, and 21% will experience one over the course of a lifetime (National Institute of Mental Health, 2005). The most frequent reasons for hospitalisation due to sickness in the United States are mood disorders (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 2021). Depression and dysthymic disorder are two major mood disorders. Similar to anxiety, depression may appear to be something that everyone encounters occasionally. It is true that the majority of individuals have felt depressed or "blue" at some point in their life. But experiencing sadness for a little while is not the same as having a real depressive episode. It is a chronic, crippling condition that is typically curable with medical intervention. Dramatic swings in energy and mood are hallmarks of bipolar disease, which frequently impair a person's capacity to do daily duties. Because of the way persons with bipolar illness would alternate between manic and sad periods, the condition was once known as manic depression. There is some overlap between mood disorders and personality disorders, which impact nine percent of the population in the United States each year, depending on the criteria that is applied. A personality disorder is defined as a persistent, rigid pattern that lasts for a long time and causes substantial distress or impairment; it is not brought on by substance abuse or another medical issue. Put differently, individuals with personality disorders exhibit behaviours that may be deemed aberrant by society, yet may feel normal to them. Personality disorder categorisation and diagnosis have been changing and are still up for debate. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental diseases (DSM) is published by the American Psychological Association to aid in the diagnosis and treatment planning of mental diseases. Initially, experts working on the most recent edition suggested reclassifying personality disorders. The final book, however, includes an alternative/emerging way to categorising the initial 10 groups. This development illustrates areas of disagreement amongst theories, practitioners, governing authorities, and other stakeholders, as well as the difficulties and variety in treating diseases. As elucidated in the Sociological Research chapter, research and analysis include a thorough and multifaceted approach. We shall see how their definitions aid academics from other disciplines in understanding the nexus of health concerns and how social institutions and cultural norms define them as the diagnostic application develops. ADHD, which affects 4% of adults and 9% of children in the United States during their lifetime, is another mental illness that is often diagnosed (Danielson 2018). Being one of the most prevalent illnesses in childhood, ADHD is sometimes mistakenly thought to be a condition exclusive to kids. However, those who were diagnosed with ADHD as children or as adults may find it to be a major problem. ADHD is characterised by hyperactivity, trouble focussing, and trouble managing behaviour. Consequently, it may result in problems with children's education and behaviour, difficulties with college achievement, and difficulties at work and in the home. Nonetheless, there is a societal dispute concerning the overprescription of these medicines (American Psychological Association). ADHD varies in expression depending on a wide range of circumstances, including age, which presents a substantial challenge for diagnosis, treatment, and social understanding of the disorder (CHADD 2020). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, "deficits in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and engagement in repetitive behaviours or interests" characterise the collection of developmental brain disorders collectively known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). According to CDC forecasts, 1 in 54 children will have autistic spectrum disorder by 2021. In addition to the extremely high incidence, the rate of diagnosis has been gradually rising as public awareness has grown. The incidence was 1 in 166 children in 2005 and 1 in 88 children in 2012. Although diagnosis and treatment have been aided by the pace of rise and awareness, autism still causes great concern in families and parents. Children with autism (as well as their parents) may experience rejection, mistreatment, and a great deal of misinterpretation due to the impact autism has on relationships, particularly verbal communication. People who are nonverbal and have autism spectrum disorder, for instance, are sometimes excluded from conversations or activities because others believe they are not clever, or they are frequently thought to be stupid. Allowing their kids to play with or interact with other kids who have ASD may cause parents to feel hesitant. According to Applied Behaviour Analysis, adults with ASD experience many of the same myths and mistreatments, such as being turned down for chances or made to feel uncomfortable.