by Mertha Mo Nyamande, Psychotherapist

According to the World Health Organization, it is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. Mental health includes “subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one’s intellectual and emotional potential, among others”.

What does this actually mean when we speak of someone having mental health problems, or mentally ill?

For starters, from the definition given above, mental health problems are NOT an illness in the sense of the word ill, but there are disorders as they deviate from particular social norms.

Breaking down the WHO and Psychology definitions, mental health is essentially ones belief vs their reality, and if there is a disparity between the two, the individual is liklely to struggle. The nature and degree of their struggle is determined by how far apart those two elements are. The further off one is, the more they will struggle.

Labelling these disorders help to manage, treat or contain them. All mental disorders have been catergorised into 7 classes as follows;

Spectrum Disorders,  these are Attention Deficit Disorders, seen in children as Autistic or Hyperactive as the core features. They are often problematic in that they are quite disruptive in nature, especially if certain safety spaces are not maintained. Autistic children would ordinarily maintain a certain routine, and if that routine is disrupted, they become quite disturbed and highly distressed. Conversely, the opposite end of the spectrum is the hyperactivity feature where the child has too much energy and is hardly able to settle and concentrate on things as may be expected, therefore trying to get them to follow a routine is often quite futile, marred with tantrums and other disruptive behaviours.

Identity Disorders, are mainly sexual and or gender based, often indicated in adolescent stages, but not limited to this stage. Like any disorder can be developmental, meaning one can grow with an attention disorder into adulthood if the right help is not provided. Thereby sexual or gender identity disorders can be carried throughout life. Most of these are hidden depending on societal understnanding and sensitivity. In africa for example, it is rare to find a man wearing a dress and make up and be acceped into formal spaces. Gender identity is fairly accepted in westen societies where hormonal surgery is also available on public health systems. Such is the complexity of mental health and its disorders as what is acceptable in one society may not be accepted in another. Additionally, violence and bitting up wives and children may be considered normal and acceptable in patriachial communities, while they are offences in other societies.

Mood Disorders, are yet another spectrum, from low mood Depressions, to high mood Manias and a combination of both, often referred to as Bipolar. Mood disorders are quire common in other disorders as they highlight the component of hopelessness and helpelssness. This is also where most devastating outcomes, such as suicides derive in both extremes. Depression is classified as mild, moderate or severe, where the mild to moderate can function in society, going to work, etc, but just not performing their optimum. In severe cases is where suicides and other difficulties in relationships occur. Psychosis is also common in severe depression. Depression can also be learnt as an avoidant response to difficult situations. Manias are also know to be hypo or hyper.

Anxiety Disorders, are associated with extreme fear of circumstances, objects or creatures. Anxiety Disorders are often triggered by certain adverse events that become difficult for the individual to process, thereby becomes avoided until/unless help is provided. Some anxiety disorders are subconscious in that the individual is unable to remember the event, but still suffer ther distress, like in traumatic events. Out of these also come other conditions like Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. Anxiety disorders can also be learnt from environments, where a child can learn their parent’s phobias as a leant behaviour.

Personality Disorders, are types of ingrained rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving, that develop early in life. Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters; Dramatic/Emotional/Erratic, Anxious/Avoidant and Odd/Eccentric clusters, based on similar characteristics and symptoms, and are associated with significant distress or disability. Personality Disorders only exist as a result of the prolonged period one has had a particular disorder.

Psychotic Disorders, are when ones senses are compromised and they become disorientated from their shared reality. This is when someone hears voices, sees, tastes, feels and smells things that others around them dont experience. These are the extreme aspects of Mental Health Disorders, the common type referred to when people talk about mental health.

Dementias. Dementias are when the brain is affected to the point that certain brain areas no longer function as they should, often leaving the individual disorientated, unable to remember things nor coordinate and perform simple daily tasks. Dementias often affect the elderly populations, but can affect the younger due to various reasons.

All mental disorders are often indicated by either emotional or behavioral features, used to point to a particular diagnosis. While there may be neurological and endocrinological explanations, it is often what is seen that professionals seek to study, and remedy. Common symptoms are poor sleep, sudden change in appetite, mood changes and activity/motivation/energy levels.

Mental disorders are treatable, apart from the Dementias, but they all differ in the length to effect real change. The only treatment currently available for dementia can only slow down the deterioration, and therefore early detection and intervention is crucial.