Mental health problems

It is thought that in the UK, up to four in ten people will experience some form of mental health problem within their lifetime. Two of the most common mental illnesses are depression and addiction, both of which can negatively impact an individual’s ability to go about their daily activities and lead a normal life, and we will look at each of these in much more detail later on in this section.

A mental health problem is notoriously difficult to define because such a problem comprises of many different aspects. However, they are generally categorised by some combination of abnormal thoughts, emotions, behaviour and interactions with others.

There are many different types of mental health problem, which can be experienced as a single condition or together with another one, such as stress and anxiety. These are known as ‘co-morbid’ conditions. Some examples of mental health problems include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Panic disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Personality disorder
• Psychosis
• Post-natal depression

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

Just as it is difficult to define what actually constitutes a mental health problem, it is equally difficult for health professionals to diagnose specific mental health problems because these can present themselves in many different ways. However, most health professionals will use some form of disease classification manual to help them determine what mental health problem someone is experiencing in a way that is consistent and therefore reliable.

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a diagnostic manual used by health professionals, such as psychiatrists, throughout much of the world (except the United States, who have their own diagnostic manual, known as the DSM). The ICD helps professionals to determine what kind of mental health problems an individual is experiencing by noting the symptoms, how long the symptoms have been present and what effect they are having on the individual’s behaviour, well-being and lifestyle.

Depression

Depression is the experience of a low mood, which can continue for a very prolonged period of time. Mild depression may affect a person by simply making them feel sad or in low spirits, however, they are likely to be able to carry on with life fairly normally, even though this may be difficult on some days.

In its most severe form, however, depression can make the individual believe that they’ve lost all hope, their confidence and self-esteem will be severely affected and this can, sadly, lead to suicidal intentions or just giving up the will to stay alive.

The ICD uses the following list of symptoms when diagnosing an individual who appears to be experiencing depression:

• Persistent and intense sadness or low mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Fatigue or low energy

The three symptoms previously mentioned must be present on most days, most of the time for at least two weeks, in order for depression to be diagnosed. The symptoms below are asked about once the health professional has determined that it is likely that depression is being experienced:

• Disturbed sleep
• Poor concentration and indecisiveness
• Higher levels of anxiety
• Low self-confidence
• Poor or increased appetite
• Suicidal thoughts or acts
• Agitation or slowing of movements
• Guilt or self-blame

The symptoms above define the degree of depression that a person is experiencing, and this is important as it helps professionals to establish how the depression will best be managed. Degrees of depression are determined as follows:

• Fewer than four symptoms – not depressed
• Four symptoms – mild depression
• Five to six symptoms – moderate depression
• Seven or more symptoms – severe depression

Symptoms should be present for a month or more and each should be experienced for most of every day

Addiction

Although addiction is a mental health problem in itself, it often occurs in reaction to other mental health problems, as the individual seeks to find ways to cope with feelings that they are struggling to understand or discuss.

An individual can experience an addiction to anything, although it is usually linked to alcohol and substances; more recently the prevalence of addiction to technology, such as online gaming and social media, has increased. Addiction causes strong cravings to carry out the desired behaviour. These cravings can be extremely difficult to overcome and many individuals find that they cannot do this without professional assistance.

According to the ICD, in order to be diagnosed with some form of addiction issue, the following symptoms must be present:

• A strong desire or compulsion to indulge in the behaviour
• Difficulty in controlling the behaviour
• Anger when the behaviour cannot be indulged
• Increased levels of tolerance to the behaviour so that it is carried out more frequently to attain the same results (i.e. the ‘thrill’ of the addiction)
• Neglect of other interests and pleasures

Three or more of the symptoms above should be experienced at the same time for a period of one month or more in order for addiction to be diagnosed.

The ICD does not recognise internet addiction as a specific addiction but it would still be classed as an addiction as its symptoms meet those which are listed previously.

Whilst the ICD provides an official definition of what constitutes addiction, there are other symptoms which are often seen in those individuals who have become addicted to something, which include:

• Withdrawal symptoms, which occur when the behaviour has not been indulged
• Physical health problems
• Secrecy in order to keep the addiction away from friends and family
• Denial that there is a problem
• Financial difficulties
• Relationship problems

At any one time in the UK, there are thought to be around 140,000 people who are being treated for some form of addiction, most of whom will be addicted to opiate drugs such as heroin and painkillers or to alcohol. This number may be higher as many people will not have sought help for their addiction and some may not even recognise that their behaviour shows that they have an addiction.