What is it to have good mental health? At a basic level, mental health could be described as the absence of mental illness; however, the whole issue surrounding mental health and mental illness is highly complex and therefore what constitutes mental health is not easy to define. On saying that, we can describe mental health by referring to what might happen when we are not in good mental health, when we are suffering from some form of mental illness.
Here in the UK it is estimated that a quarter of the population will experience some kind of mental illness at some point in their lives. Mental illness can affect any one of us; it is indiscriminate of age, gender, and status. It can strike at any time, sometimes with warning and sometimes without. So how can you recognise if you are suffering from a mental illness?
How to recognise mental illness
Mental illness can manifest itself in many different ways and no two people will be affected in the same way to the same degree. Someone suffering from a mental illness may be mildly inconvenienced by their symptoms in their daily lives and yet others can be severely debilitated to the extent that they are unable to care for themselves or integrate into society at any level.
Recognising when someone is suffering from mental illness is important in order to get the right help but it can be difficult when the symptoms are mild or vague or when the individual themselves deny that anything is wrong. Basically, someone can be said to be suffering from a mental illness when they are experiencing alterations in their moods, in their behaviour and in how they think and feel about themselves and the world around them, or a combination of all of these, to such an extent that they become distressed or have an impaired ability to function normally on a day to day basis.
Some of the more commonly known ways that mental illness can affect our lives is in the form of depression, anxiety, compulsive disorders, phobias, panic disorders, bipolar or manic depression, schizophrenia and dementia. Even within these terms there are variations and subgroups and different degrees of severity. Mental illness on the whole is anything but straightforward; it is often misunderstood by family and friends and can be misdiagnosed if a full medical assessment is not made. It can be isolating for the individual, particularly as they may not understand what is happening to them and why they are behaving in a particular way.
What causes mental illness?
There is no single known cause of mental illness but instead combinations of factors appear to have an influence including psychological, biological and environmental conditions.
Mental illness appears to be more common in certain groups of people indicating that some circumstances can act as a trigger, for example, those living in poverty and poorer living conditions, those who are suffering from long term physical illnesses or disabilities, those from ethnic minorities and those in prison or other institutions. People who are addicted to substances or are dependent on alcohol are more likely to suffer from mental illness than those who are not and different types of mental illness seem to be more common to men or women.
Life changing events can also trigger a period of mental illness such as redundancy, bereavement and divorce and there is also a genetic aspect to it as those with a history of mental illness in their families have an increased risk of developing a mental illness themselves. Recent research has also highlighted that a lack of Omega 3 fatty acids in the diet can increase the risk of developing certain types of mental illness.
Clearly, there are many influences involved so it isn’t possible to identify who is going to develop a mental illness and who is not and each and every one of us could find ourselves suffering from some form of mental illness at any point throughout the course of our lives.
Getting help
The good news is that regardless of the type of mental illness, there is help available but the biggest step to recovery is first of all recognising that there is a problem in the first place. Many people feel that to admit to not coping or that they might be suffering from some form of mental illness is a sign of weakness or failure, and fear of stigmatisation, lack of understanding and knowledge, and of course denial, can effectively prevent many people from seeking help. However, it is essential that help is sought because mental illness doesn’t just go away and without help, the symptoms can persist for months or years causing a great deal of unnecessary suffering and distress for the individual.
The first point of contact is your doctor who will be able to make an initial assessment and advise you on the options available for treatment and guide you towards any other support groups or therapies that might be available. With the right help from the medical profession and with support from family and friends, most forms of mental illness can be beaten completely and normal life can resume once again. Even in the most severe cases, with a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment, it is possible to dramatically reduce the severity of symptoms and make a real improvement to quality of life.
Pharmaceutical lines are definitely complicated with regards to any sort of practical manifestation of a devised drug combination. Any medication is the mix of a certain number of substances that work in tandem to help one overcome any sense of distress caused as a result of a physiological change in the ideal conditions of normal body functioning. These medications need to be crystallized into a form that will not only be ingestible but also effective when released into the body. Hence there are forms such as tablets, syrups and capsules that do this particular bit of acting as a form of ingestible medium or shape which can then help in managing optimum usage.
Now the obvious question is how are these forms made? In case of capsules the best process is to simply add it in the capsule form which is then ingested for effect. Certain technological improvements over time have made this process cleaner and more effective. The latest in that line of improvements is xcelodose.
Xcelodose is a novel technological breakthrough in terms of actually placing the medication inside the capsule form. The idea is to not only use a sterile environment and a very clean mechanism but also perform the process with utmost precision as is absolutely necessary when it comes to dealing with medication where a simple excess of even 1mg may initiate adverse affects. Dealing with such quantities with speed is another factor that xcelodose addresses with relative ease and comfort.
Xcelodose is fast becoming a popular product for pharma majors in the middle of their product developments and is becoming an essential part of their preparation setups for new drugs. Almost every new facility now wants to place one as a necessity rather than an option. The reasons for the same are very clear too.
Telecommunication & internet has reached miles, cross the boundaries, linked each other, disseminate information for business deals & social welfare around the globe. However, those people with illiteracy are deprived of this benefits, & still required to acknowledge information through the medium of advertisements.
Telecommunication & internet has reached miles, cross the boundaries, linked each other, disseminate information for business deals as well as quick loans online & social welfare around the globe. However, those people with illiteracy are deprived of this benefits, & still required to acknowledge information through the medium of advertisements.
UNICEF reports nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names, & two-third of them are women.Also most of the senior citizens are not acquainted with the computer operations. So advertising is the most effective medium of communication, via television, radio, & billboard to reach the audience. An idea / message can be communicated simply & swiftly, making attractive to grab the viewer`s attention, & convey the important information in an instant.
Advertising can increase public awareness about aetiological factors responsible for disease conditions, & adapt preventive measures. Safe drinking water, sanitation, & hygiene are 3 major contributing factors for prevalence & incidence of infectious diseases, such as, diarrhea, typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis, & others.
Globally some 1.8 million children die each year as a result of diarrhea, & almost 90% of children are under 5 years of age. Promoting the imperative value of oral re-hydration therapy & breast feeding serve as an emergency aid.
World bank development indicators 2008 reported each year there are 350-500 million cases of malaria,with 1 million fatalities. Africa accounts for 90% of malarial death, & African children counts for over 80% of malarial victims world wide. Elucidating the significance of environmental hygiene, use of mosquito repellents would attenuate the causative factor.
Some ethical & tribal groups of people engage in illegal practices, such as black magic, offering animal lives, god`s curse,etc, for treating diseases. It is observed that 2.2 million children die each year,because they are not immunized. Advertising can be used as powerful tool for changing attitudes,habituate to accept modern view of medicinal approach.
About 40 milion people are living with HIV/ AIDS,with 3million deaths in 2004. 15million children orphaned due to HIV /AIDS. Explaining the implication of the disease, use of contraceptive methods, & availability of drugs for treatment would reduce the incidence rate.
The world health report 2005 estimated 68000 women worldwide die each year from unsafe abortion. The propensity to induce abortion for various reasons marks the need for emergency contraception. Over 70% women favour advertising of emergency contraception helps to prevent unwanted pregnancy,& avoid complications of abortion.
Broadcast media have been shown to be effective in destigmatizing psychiatric illness & promoting acceptance of people with mental disorders.The issue of dyslexia in children has been bothering parents, & doubted mental capabilities. Over 50% of NASA employees are dyslexic. They are deliberately sought after, because they have superb problem solving skills, & excellent 3D & spatial awareness.
In the event of outbreaks / epidemics,the public awareness programs helps early diagnosis, forth preventive measures, to fight against potentially deadly & critical situation.
Ban on adverting of alcohol & smoking initiate proactive measures, & avoids exposure of teenagers & adults from life-style diseases.
American public health association 2005, reported children watch most of the commercials of advertising foods, that of fast foods, & sweets.These foods exceed RDV`s of fat, saturated fat,& sodium,yet fail to provide RDV`s of fiber & certain vitamins & minerals. Excess intake of junk foods endanger health,& leads to disease condition known as obesity.
In developing countries,only $13 U.S billions availed to spend on basic health & nutrition. The government authorities are constrained to meet the needs of large scale of population. Advertising for donations,& public -private partnership propositions can better change the situation.
There are many more challenges faced by public health officials.However,educating the entire community about health issues through documentaries, commercials, news programs, public service announcements, & other TV programs proves beneficial.