Mental health can be a complex subject to talk about, and it’s often misunderstood. Still, it is a subject that needs to be discussed more often than not because there are various misconceptions and stigmas associated with mental illness. 

To break down the issue, we need first to understand what exactly constitutes an “illness.” The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which the American Psychiatric Association publishes, defines an illness as: 

“a clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome associated with disability or significantly increased risk of death, which occurs in an individual and is typically associated with a particular etiology or set of risk factors.” 

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This means that the DSM-V defines mental illness as any “clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome.” 

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that there are over 450 different types of mental illnesses. Still, they can be broken down into five main categories: anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and psychotic disorder not otherwise specified. 

All these types have certain symptoms for diagnosis. For example, depression causes feelings like sadness or emptiness and decreased thoughts about anything other than oneself. At the same time, bipolar disorder includes periods of high energy levels and unusual behavior patterns during those times.

The Impact of Mental Illnesses

Mental Health And Sports:

Professional athletes are very often seen as heroes in society. This is because they have the power to inspire us, create a community, and make people feel good about themselves. But, unfortunately, there is pressure on professional athletes who suffer from mental health challenges because they represent so much more than their sport.

They represent hope, possibilities for future generations, and bright spots in otherwise dark times. However, these expectations can have negative consequences that may lead them down unhealthy paths or cause them to recede into despair when things don’t go right.

Rather than turning to teammates or coaches who understand what it’s like to live with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental illness. These high-performing individuals find isolation an increasingly common challenge in addition to coping with intense competition demands like travel, media scrutiny, and pressure to win.

Some professional athletes have taken the leap of faith to speak out about their struggles with mental health challenges daily. For example, in his book Quiet Strength: The Principles, Beliefs, and Pathways of My Life (1999), former NFL player Tony Dorsett revealed how the competition demands led him into depression followed by alcohol addiction because “I couldn’t get away from it.” 

So how does an athlete cope when everything seems overwhelming? 

The process is often referred to as “recovery.” Recovery comes in many forms, such as: rehabilitating yourself after injury; learning ways for coping with stressors you may have experienced during childhood; cultivating resilience, so you’re able to deal with difficulties again in the future without feeling overwhelmed; and finally, accepting the realities of what you’re dealing with.

Mental Health And The Corporate Environment

One of the most common yet overlooked illnesses that are faced in a professional career is depression. Depression can often be attributed to an imbalance in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These include serotonin and norepinephrine, which help control moods, sleep patterns, appetite, and general feelings of well-being.

They may also impact other activities like sex drive or pain perception. It’s tough when these natural levels aren’t enough to keep someone feeling at their best day after day – but it shouldn’t stop them from succeeding professionally! This article aims to show how being open about mental illness with your employer might just make you happier and healthier in work-life while also showing strategies for coping with depression both on-the-job and off.”

Depression affects millions worldwide, but there are ways we all can help each other succeed despite these challenges.

Depression is often treated through psychotherapy or medication to increase the levels of neurotransmitters that are low or out of balance leading to an improved quality of life (or even remission). I’m proud to say my own company offers mental health benefits which include coverage for therapy sessions, psychiatric visits, prescription drugs, and hospitalization.

Mental Health And Marriage

Depression is a mental illness that can significantly impact the lives of those who suffer from it and their spouses, children, co-workers, etc. Unfortunately, many people do not understand what living with depression entails or feel like they have to support the ones they love through it.

If you are a spouse with depression, being married can be challenging at times because of all the parties’ responsibilities. It often feels like no one understands what’s going on, and people may not always understand how hard it really is for someone who suffers from this illness to be able to go out and have an everyday life.

There are many misconceptions about what living with depression entails, making it difficult for spouses to get the comfort they need from loved ones when they’re suffering. Spouses often feel like there’s no one in their corner rooting for them or understanding the depth of how serious this illness is.

Spouses often feel like they need to be caretakers for their significant other’s mental illness, but this isn’t required. It can result in the spouse neglecting themselves or feeling resentful of their loved one because they don’t have any time leftover just for them which can lead to divorce and mental illness. It may also lead to a decreased quality of life for the spouse because they are so focused on their loved one and pressure to do everything for them.

Spouses must know that it is okay not to be perfect, caretakers, or supporters all of the time–it’s okay if there are times when you need help too. For example, if your depression has gotten worse, talk with a therapist who can help you figure out what is going on and get the support that you need.

Mental Health And School

Children who live with mental illnesses have a difficult time at school. In addition, children who live with a mental illness have to take medications every day, and those medicines might make them sick sometimes. 

They may feel sad about their diagnosis; they’re struggling at home as well as everywhere else! Stress from parents is hard on these kids, too- it’s not easy for any of us living in this situation. Besides just taking medication, there are many more things that affect how life goes for someone dealing with an unwell mind.

How can parents help their children with mental illness?

Be there for them, and let them know they’re not alone. There are plenty of ways to be a supportive parent! For example, you could offer some words of encouragement or advice about their condition while letting them know you care deeply about how things go for both of you.

This is a contributed post and therefore may not represent the views and opinions of this blog or its author.