While some mental health problems are fairly common they are sometimes misunderstood. This is a brief outline of some of these problems. If you are concerned that you, or someone you know, might be showing signs of a mental health problem, it is important to get support. Support can range from informal help from friends or family, advice from your doctor, counselling or medication.

Depression

We all feel fed up, miserable or sad from time to time. These feelings don't usually last longer than a few days or a week, and they don't interfere too much with our lives. Sometimes there's a reason, but sometimes these feelings just come out of the blue. We usually cope with them ourselves. We may have a chat with a friend but don't otherwise need any help.

 You may be depressed, or experiencing depression, when:

• the symptoms of depression last for two weeks or more, and
• the symptoms interfere with your everyday life.

Symptoms of depression include:

• feelings of sadness or hopelessness,
• difficulty with daily activities,
• difficulty concentrating, and
• changes in sleeping or eating patterns.

Depression can occur from a young age or can come late in life. It can also be associated with physical health problems or negative experiences. The symptoms of depression, regardless of your life stage or circumstances, should be taken seriously and never dismissed as ‘understandable’.

The feeling of depression is much more powerful and unpleasant than the short episodes of unhappiness that we all experience from time to time. Due to the length of time it lasts and its impact on your life and relationships, you need to get help for depression as soon as possible. For more information log onto link to www.aware.ie .

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder used to be called ‘manic depression’. As the name suggests, it is characterised by mood swings – or episodes – that are beyond what most people experience in their lives, although they can also be subtle and gradual.

With bipolar disorder, moods can swing between low, high and mixed.

A low mood involves feelings of intense depression and despair. This is known as a depression and symptoms include those listed above.

A high mood involves feelings of elation. This is also known as mania or a manic period. Symptoms include impaired judgement, over-spending, too much energy and little need for sleep, anger or irritability and unrealistic beliefs in one’s own abilities.

A mixed mood involves, for example, depressed mood with the restlessness and overactivity of a manic episode.

People usually experience both depressive and manic episodes, but some will have only manic episodes.

Bipolar disorder affects about one in every 100 adults. It can start at any time during or after the teenage years, although it is unusual for it to start after the age of 40. Men and women are affected equally.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a common experience for both men and women. Depending on the type and severity of anxiety, it can have a damaging impact on your quality of life. For some, anxiety can be a passing emotion attached to stressful situations such as exams, getting married or work pressures. For others, it is more than this. The signs associated with anxiety include a racing heart, rapid breathing, feelings of panic, sweating, excessive and undue worrying, disturbed sleep, tense muscles, morbid thoughts and fear of going mad.

lthough in some instances your anxiety may have no apparent cause, people who are considered most ‘at risk’ of developing an anxiety disorder include those who have undergone a major life event such as bereavement, a relationship break-up or unemployment; those who misuse drugs and alcohol; or those with a family history of anxiety.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness marked by disturbances in your thoughts, perceptions, emotions and behaviour. It affects about one in every 100 people worldwide. It is rare before the age of 15, but it can start any time after this, most often between the ages of 15 and 35.

The symptoms of schizophrenia are broken into two groups – ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ symptoms. Positive symptoms include the more recognisable things like hallucinations, hearing voices, delusions, muddled thinking and feeling that you are being controlled. ‘Negative’ symptoms are less easy to spot and include a loss of energy, enthusiasm and motivation, difficulty concentrating and uneasiness in other people’s company.

People with schizophrenia can and do recover. For more information contact Shine on their Info Line 1890 621 631 or visit www.shineonline.ie