Mental Health and Prevention

Special issue on Mental Health and Prevention

Mental health disorders, also known as mental illnesses, encompass a wide range of conditions that affect an individual's thinking, feeling, behaviour and overall emotional well-being. These disorders can disrupt daily functioning, impact relationships and diminish the quality of life. They often arise from a complex interplay of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors.

The common categories of mental health disorders listed below include the following:

Anxiety Disorders: Characterized by excessive fear or worry, including conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.

Mood Disorders: These include disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, which significantly affect a person's emotional state and mood regulation.

Personality Disorders: A group of disorders that involve enduring patterns of behaviour, cognition and inner experience, leading to maladaptive functioning, such as borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder.

Psychotic Disorders: Conditions that disrupt thinking and perception, such as schizophrenia, where individuals may experience hallucinations and delusions.

Eating Disorders: Disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, characterized by unhealthy eating behaviours and preoccupation with body weight or shape.

Mental health disorders can manifest at any age and often require a comprehensive approach for diagnosis and treatment. Effective management typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. Early intervention and access to appropriate care are essential for improving outcomes and promoting recovery in individuals affected by mental health disorders. Promoting awareness and comprehension of mental health is essential for minimizing complications in treatment and empowering individuals to manage their mental well-being.