There was once a time in the not-too-distant past when mental health was a subject that most people avoided discussing. From a social perspective, mental health struggles were seen as a weakness and were generally faced with judgment and harsh treatment. However, in the medical community, little was known about the causes and symptoms of mental health conditions that effective treatment was hard to come by.
Thankfully, things have shifted for the better over the last several decades. There has been an increased awareness of mental health conditions in society, and from a cultural perspective, the stigma surrounding such conditions has largely started to lift.
There has also been a more concentrated effort within the medical community to conduct research and learn as much as possible about the various mental health conditions that are out there. Such research has led to the development of better treatment options and more positive results for patients.
Nevertheless, there is still so much that many people do not understand about the more common mental health conditions. With that in mind, here are three of the main things that everyone should familiarise themselves with concerning mental health.
1. There is No Age Limit
Although some age groups are more prone to mental health conditions than others, there is no discrimination regarding the age when it comes to mental health struggles. Depending on one’s circumstances, a mental health condition can develop at any age and for various reasons.
For instance, the rate of anxiety disorders in teenagers is rising at an alarming pace. Due to the brain development that an adolescent undergoes and the societal and social pressures placed on many teenagers today, anxiety disorders are more common than ever before in this age group.
Thankfully, there are many options out there for a teen depression treatment for adolescents struggling with their mental health. If you suspect that a teen close to you is suffering, then try to let them know that they have you to talk to.
2. Women are More Susceptible than Men
Even though mental health conditions also do not discriminate based on gender, multiple studies and reports indicate that women are far more susceptible to developing certain conditions than men are. For example, conditions like anxiety, depression, BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and eating disorders are disproportionately more commonly seen in women than men.
While the reasons for this fact aren’t completely clear, the societal and familial pressures placed on women these days, coupled with the various hormonal changes that a woman undergoes throughout her life, are likely contributing factors.
3. They Aren’t Always Apparent
Many people who struggle with mental health conditions become very good over time at hiding their conditions from others. However, it is important to be aware of the fact that just because a person doesn’t appear to be struggling with such a condition, which doesn’t mean there isn’t something serious going on under the surface. For this reason, it is good practice to treat the topic of mental health with sensitivity and respect.
