Mental illnesses are the third leading cause of disability burden in Australia. Approximately 45% of Australians aged 16-85 years will experience a mental disorder during their lifetime.
There are various kinds of mental health disorders. Anxiety disorders are the most common, affecting ~14% of Australians over a 12-month period, followed by depression (~6%) and substance abuse (~5%). Psychotic illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, although less common still affect approximately 3% of Australians. In addition, approximately 2% of Australians will experience eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia in their lifetimes.
Treatment options for mental health disorders can be very successful and if you have any concerns about yourself, a family member or friend you should contact your GP or other mental health services.
Anxiety and panic disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterised by persistent, excessive worry that is so distressing it can interfere with the person's ability to enjoy everyday life. There may not be an obvious reason for the anxiety being triggered but the person involved is likely to be experiencing intense and uncontrollable feelings of worry and fear, even if these concerns are unrealistic or irrational. Anxiety disorders can also trigger panic attacks, an extreme episode of intense anxiety and fear that develops abruptly and peaks within minutes.
Most people with anxiety were likely born with a genetic vulnerability to developing an anxiety disorder which may be triggered by personality traits or in response to stressful events.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition where the person experiences extreme changes in mood and energy, from feeling really euphoric ('manic') to feeling really low ('depressive'). During 'manic' episodes they may experience extremely high mood or activity, racing thoughts, rapid speech and little need to sleep, whereas depressive episodes are characterised by extreme sadness, feelings of hopelessness and a lack of pleasure or interest in things. The pattern of mood swings is different for each individual but it can affect our thoughts, behaviour and how we function in everyday life.
Depression
Clinical depression causes an intense lowering of mood and sadness over a long period of time. It is often accompanied by other physical and psychological symptoms that interfere with everyday life. For example, people with depression may lose interest or pleasure in their usual activities. Some people are likely to have a genetic predisposition for depression which can then be triggered by stressful situations. On other occasions there may not be an obvious trigger, yet the person may be affected so severely that they have trouble distinguishing between what is real and what is not.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are characterised by obsessive thoughts and preoccupation over food and body weight and abnormal or disturbed eating habits. This includes people who limit the amount of food they eat (Anorexia nervosa), binge eat lots of food in a short period of time then purge (Bulimia) or overeat often (Compulsive overeating). Body image distortion is common and people with an eating disorder may not realise they have a problem or else if they do, they may go to extreme lengths to hide their behaviour.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia affects the normal function of the brain and interferes with the person's ability to think, feel and act, causing an altered experience of reality. People with schizophrenia experience persistent symptoms called psychosis which may involve confused and disordered thinking, delusions, hallucinations, abnormal motor behaviour (increased agitation, childlike behaviour, withdrawal from ones environment) or negative symptoms (being less able to experience pleasure, becoming less emotionally expressive). Contrary to popular belief, people with schizophrenia do not have a 'split personality'.
Substance Abuse & Addiction
Substance abuse and addiction is the harmful use of alcohol or drugs for non-medical purposes which becomes a physical and/or psychological need to continue using that substance. It is a complex, misunderstood disease and quitting takes more than a strong will or good intentions. The addiction is compulsive and difficult to control despite the harmful consequences. Repeated use often alters the brain and can affect self-control and interfere with the ability to resist intense urges as the user becomes dependent on the substance.
Resources
https://www.sane.org/mental-health-and-illness
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/facts-and-information
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/mental-health-wellbeing
There are various kinds of mental health disorders. Anxiety disorders are the most common, affecting ~14% of Australians over a 12-month period, followed by depression (~6%) and substance abuse (~5%). Psychotic illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, although less common still affect approximately 3% of Australians. In addition, approximately 2% of Australians will experience eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia in their lifetimes.
Treatment options for mental health disorders can be very successful and if you have any concerns about yourself, a family member or friend you should contact your GP or other mental health services.
Anxiety and panic disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterised by persistent, excessive worry that is so distressing it can interfere with the person's ability to enjoy everyday life. There may not be an obvious reason for the anxiety being triggered but the person involved is likely to be experiencing intense and uncontrollable feelings of worry and fear, even if these concerns are unrealistic or irrational. Anxiety disorders can also trigger panic attacks, an extreme episode of intense anxiety and fear that develops abruptly and peaks within minutes.
Most people with anxiety were likely born with a genetic vulnerability to developing an anxiety disorder which may be triggered by personality traits or in response to stressful events.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition where the person experiences extreme changes in mood and energy, from feeling really euphoric ('manic') to feeling really low ('depressive'). During 'manic' episodes they may experience extremely high mood or activity, racing thoughts, rapid speech and little need to sleep, whereas depressive episodes are characterised by extreme sadness, feelings of hopelessness and a lack of pleasure or interest in things. The pattern of mood swings is different for each individual but it can affect our thoughts, behaviour and how we function in everyday life.
Depression
Clinical depression causes an intense lowering of mood and sadness over a long period of time. It is often accompanied by other physical and psychological symptoms that interfere with everyday life. For example, people with depression may lose interest or pleasure in their usual activities. Some people are likely to have a genetic predisposition for depression which can then be triggered by stressful situations. On other occasions there may not be an obvious trigger, yet the person may be affected so severely that they have trouble distinguishing between what is real and what is not.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are characterised by obsessive thoughts and preoccupation over food and body weight and abnormal or disturbed eating habits. This includes people who limit the amount of food they eat (Anorexia nervosa), binge eat lots of food in a short period of time then purge (Bulimia) or overeat often (Compulsive overeating). Body image distortion is common and people with an eating disorder may not realise they have a problem or else if they do, they may go to extreme lengths to hide their behaviour.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia affects the normal function of the brain and interferes with the person's ability to think, feel and act, causing an altered experience of reality. People with schizophrenia experience persistent symptoms called psychosis which may involve confused and disordered thinking, delusions, hallucinations, abnormal motor behaviour (increased agitation, childlike behaviour, withdrawal from ones environment) or negative symptoms (being less able to experience pleasure, becoming less emotionally expressive). Contrary to popular belief, people with schizophrenia do not have a 'split personality'.
Substance Abuse & Addiction
Substance abuse and addiction is the harmful use of alcohol or drugs for non-medical purposes which becomes a physical and/or psychological need to continue using that substance. It is a complex, misunderstood disease and quitting takes more than a strong will or good intentions. The addiction is compulsive and difficult to control despite the harmful consequences. Repeated use often alters the brain and can affect self-control and interfere with the ability to resist intense urges as the user becomes dependent on the substance.
Resources
https://www.sane.org/mental-health-and-illness
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/facts-and-information
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/mental-health-wellbeing
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