Mental disorders ranging from anxiety, depression and OCDs

[liowkc]

It has been estimated that many Americans suffer from some form of mental disorders ranging from anxiety, depression and OCDs. What do you think of this state of affairs?

[jessica]

Yes. And that is a sad fact. It is estimated that there are a few millions of Americans who are suffering from such mental problems. Some sources even say that the situation is much more worse than what is reported. And who are most susceptible to these conditions? College students, homemakers, people who were never married, and those suffering from poverty.

[AngryCat]

I've read somewhere that every fourth person in any developed country suffer from somekind of mental disorder...

[jessica]

If that information is accurate then it really should sound off an alarm! Imagine, one in every four people? That's quite a situation we have there!

[AngryCat]

It doesn't that all of that people are dangerous or something, but the modern life is queit stressfull and a lot of people have depression or something like that. But is there a real way to change it? I don't see it, society can't change lifestyles of millions of people.

[krrish]

Unfortunately,this type of cases are happening in most of the developed nations like US. And this is only due to the life style people are maintaining there.People are too busy in their work,they're getting very less time to be relaxed.People are always behind money.I think it's worsening day by day.

[BellaDC]

I used to work in a group home for mentally disabled children and adults. When I first started working, I was shocked at the wide spectrum of mental illnesses these residents dealt with everyday. It was so sad because many of them had been born to mothers who were addicted to drugs. I think the ways of the world today can greatly have a negative impact on the future.

[krrish]

Originally Posted by BellaDC

I used to work in a group home for mentally disabled children and adults. When I first started working, I was shocked at the wide spectrum of mental illnesses these residents dealt with everyday. It was so sad because many of them had been born to mothers who were addicted to drugs. I think the ways of the world today can greatly have a negative impact on the future.

I must appreciate you for your interest in social works.I do agree with you that drug addicted mother can't born a healthy child.Children are the future. If they'll be mentally unhealthy,then what can we expect from them in future.

[jessica]

You're right, BellaDC! And it is a very disheartening fact. I just wish that people will be aware of the consequences of their actions and realize that what they're doing now can have a very definite effect in the future!

[ladyfaith]

I think there are a long list of reasons for the problems of mental health in America. With the declining economy, the increase in abuse and neglect to both children and adults, and the rise in illegal drug use it is no wonder that mental illness is more prevalent in America now. People don't know how to deal with all the stress that goes on in their lives today and they breakdown mentally because of it.

[Simplyme]

Originally Posted by liowkc

It has been estimated that many Americans suffer from some form of mental disorders ranging from anxiety, depression and OCDs. What do you think of this state of affairs?

I think it is at quite an extreme I live in an apartment community right now and of the few people I have met 5 are diagnosed and taking medication for BiPolar Disorder and 3 are on meds for manic depression. That is over 3/4 of the people I have met here and I can not imagine how that number would increase if I had the time to talk to more people.

I obviously can not lay fault in any one place but it is a sad situation as 3 of the above mentioned are but children.

[techbuzzie]

Yes, Americans are drowning in stress and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders.

Just because of their odd modern lifestyle, they forget that they have to feed their mind as well. In that case, America starves.

[trekjunkie]

Originally Posted by AngryCat

I've read somewhere that every fourth person in any developed country suffer from somekind of mental disorder...

If that’s true, then those are horrible odds. I can see it as being true though. How many times have we've heard that a lot mental disorders come from a person's childhood? And how many people do you know can honestly say that they had a great childhood? I'm sure that there were good moments in there, but can they say it was great overall?

A lot of mental disorders can easily be eliminated if we as a society learned to be nicer to one another and to take others feelings into consideration.

[KelseyMN121]

Okay kids, here's the sitch. TWO REASONS:
1)Developed countries DIAGNOSE more mental illnesses, not necessarily HAVE more mental illnesses. I'm willing to bet that almost all mental illnesses in 3rd world countries go undiagnosed. We also have a big problem with over-diagnosing in the US especially depression and ADHD.
2) However, many people do have a genuine problem. In developed countries these people get help and are often able to lead productive lives and have children (depression and other diseases may be genetic) while in third world countries (no therapy, no drugs, stressful conditions) people with severe mental illnesses may die at a younger age and therefore there are less of them.

[DarkTimes]

Depression is definitely an issue due to the work load and the necessity of some families. It's not rare to see a lower middle class family having both parents working full time jobs to support this family. This causes much stress, and anxiety.

[rcf5005]

I think as long as the people aren't hurting themselves or anybody else, who are we to judge? If they want help they can go and find it. Who are we to strong arm them into seeing a doctor? That will probably just make them all the more reluctant.

[oo1987]

I think it is often related to abusive home lives, or abuse in childhood. I know that sounds odd, but a lot of mental disorders are caused by this sort of thing, added with a genetic factor. Abuse survivors go untreated and are not taken care of when the abuse is discovered, and from that all sorts of things can be caused, like anxiety, Bipolarity, depression, eating disorders, ect.

[Walker]

The recession is certainly going to bring with it.....its set of problems too...

The people will be more than anxious about their jobs and social security in general. People will have to cope with this stress through better mind management. Never let any issue overpower your mind for a longer period and try to focus on better things in life like family. However worst is the times....your family will always stand by you...and so you should make the most of them.....Bond together within family more often and communicate very frequently to de-stress yourself well....

Regards,

Walker

[zowie]

Some people from any part of the world have these problems. This is not only a characteristic of America. As they say, "Everyone is crazy to some extent. There is only a difference in the level of craziness". Some mental problems are due to the pressure at work, pressure at home etc. Some others are born mentally ill.

[getnitin15]

mental health has taken a hit in america
in times of recession it was bound to happen. people who have lost thier jobs or their money are under big stress.
They need money which is not easy to find
If reports by news channels are to be believed crime rate has increased as people who were habitual of spending $20 now don't have $2 to spend

[mteager]

Today's world is stressful so it's understandable really. It's the way you deal with it that counts, you can't just throw drugs at it, though this normally happens. You need to get to the causes and try to go from there. Covering it up will do nothing.

[powerlifer]

You can be genetically pre-disposed to being less resistant to coping with stress, weak adrenals etc.

The best way is adaptagens like ginseng(if no heart problems or high blood pressure). There's a wealth of different ones.

Good diet, exercise and relaxation also will help the adrenals recover.

Prolonged stress can burnout the adrenals like i have and cause a variety of health problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, poor GI tract function, lowered immunity follows then disease ultimatley.

[William]

I know it's very true, but it is also very true for other places as well.
Personally, I believe that although America may have the highest rate for showing their mental disorders, that this does not necessarily mean we possess the most mental disorders.

[Rimty]

Sedentary lifestyle accounts for almost all of the mental disorders