As per the research (Shanbehzadeh et.al, 2021), greater fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression were reported in individuals admitted to intensive care during covid infection(s).
Grief reactions, drugs use disorders, anxiety, sleeping disorders, depression, suicides, post-traumatic stress disorders, and panic disorders are more prominent post covid.
This gives us a great topic to dive in and talk about - “Mental Health”
What is mental health?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. And it is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.”
Mental health is an umbrella term, that includes cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social well-being. It directly or indirectly affects our thought process, how we feel, and how we act. It also determines our stress handling capacity, and when and how to make healthy choices.
It is important at every stage of life. Peak mental health is not only about avoiding active conditions but also constantly looking after ongoing wellness and happiness.
Mental well-being is a crucial part of overall “HEALTH”. For example, stress and anxiety increase many types of physical health issues, including, long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
The problem with talking about mental well-being is that it is dynamic in nature, and changes over time. It works like a barter system, when the demands placed exceed a person’s resources and coping capabilities, they retaliate and that could impact mental health. For example, if someone is working long hours, caring for a friend/relative, or experiencing economic tribulation, they may experience poor mental health.
Mental illness vs Poor mental health
These 2 words are used interchangeably and are horrifically wrong. These two are on the same spectrum but are on 2 distinctive corners.
Poor mental health commonly has a range of stressful emotions in stressful situations, often accompanied by feeling unhappy, difficulty thinking clearly, or feeling overwhelmed.
Mental illness is a set of mental disorders, often accompanied by poor mental health. Examples of mental illness include anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse , and addictive behaviors.
There are good and bad days, anyone can have poor mental health, doesn’t mean everyone has a mental illness.
What causes these?
Poor mental health is generally caused by feeling overwhelmed due to stressful situations, economical and social issues, unhealthy lifestyle, and can manifest signs of anger issues, anxiety, sleep loss, stress, etc.
There is no single cause for mental illness. A number of factors contribute to the risk for mental illness, such as:
Trauma or a history of abuse (example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)
Negative experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions.
Biological factors
Hormonal Imbalances in the brain
Use of alcohol or drugs
Having feelings of loneliness or isolation
Treatment
When talking about mental illnesses, it is always better to talk to a specialist rather than trying to find a workaround for something we don't fully understand yet. Treatment is highly individual, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some strategies for treatments are more successful in combination with others. Reaching out for help isn’t wrong. The individual needs to work closely with a doctor, a psychiatrist, or a psychologist who can help them identify their needs and provide them with suitable treatment.
References:
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Das N. (2020). Psychiatrists in the post-COVID-19 era - Are we prepared?. Asian journal of psychiatry, 51, 102082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102082
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Ren, F. F., & Guo, R. J. (2020). Public mental health in the post-COVID-19 era. Psychiatria Danubina, 32(2), 251-255.
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Shanbehzadeh, S., Tavahomi, M., Zanjari, N., Ebrahimi-Takamjani, I., & Amiri-Arimi, S. (2021). Physical and mental health complications post-COVID-19: Scoping review. Journal of psychosomatic research, 147, 110525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110525
