What are serious mental illnesses and how to help people who suffer from them

Most people think that the leading diseases worldwide are cancer or cardiovascular disease. Turns out, it's neither. In fact, the most prevalent diseases are mental ones. Many of them begin to manifest in early childhood.

Among the reasons for underestimating the first signs of mental illness is a lack of knowledge about the characteristic symptoms of these mental illnesses. Early signs such as mood swings, difficulty concentrating, feelings of anxiety or unexplained sadness are accepted as a normal part of a busy everyday life. For this reason, people do not seek professional help in time, which can lead to a deterioration in the affected person's condition.

Social stigma also plays a significant role in this process. Fear of being judged or misunderstood by others leads many people to hide their problems and try to cope on their own. They often worry about being labelled as 'weak' or 'unstable', which stops them from sharing their difficulties with even the people closest to them.

Another important reason is limited access to health services. The lack of qualified professionals and resources makes it difficult to find professional help. Even when services are available, the financial costs of treatment are significant.

Last but not least, cultural and family attitudes towards mental health can also hinder help-seeking. In some societies, mental illness is a taboo subject that is not openly discussed. This further hinders early diagnosis and treatment.

All these factors highlight the need to raise awareness and change societal attitudes towards mental health.

What is considered a serious mental illness?

Serious mental illnesses are a group of mental disorders that significantly affect a person's ability to carry out normal daily activities. Such illnesses usually require long-term treatment and support, often medication, psychotherapy and social services. Examples of serious mental illnesses include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

The main difference between serious mental illness and milder forms of mental disorders lies in the intensity and duration of symptoms. While milder disorders such as anxiety or mild depression may occur episodically and do not significantly interfere with daily activities, serious mental illness can lead to significant difficulties in daily life and require long-term treatment.

Early recognition and treatment of serious mental illnesses are critical to improving the prognosis and quality of life of those affected. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to complications that make it difficult to manage the illness and increase the risk of chronic manifestations.

List of serious mental illnesses

Serious mental illnesses are a complex set of disorders that have a significant impact on the lives of sufferers.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior. Symptoms include hallucinations (most commonly auditory), intrusive phobias, disorganised thinking and behaviour, and significant social and functional difficulties. Schizophrenia requires long-term medication and psychotherapy.

Bipolar disorder

This is a condition in which patients experience extreme mood swings ranging from manic episodes with extreme energy and euphoria to depressive episodes with severe sadness and lack of interest in usual activities. Treatment includes mood stabilisers, antipsychotics and psychotherapy.

Major depressive disorder (MDD)

This depressive disorder is characterized by prolonged periods of deep sadness, lack of energy, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that usually bring pleasure. Symptoms may also include physical problems such as sleep and appetite disturbances. Treatment usually includes antidepressants and psychotherapy.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

OCD is a condition in which patients experience intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, irrational actions (compulsions) as a way to cope with anxiety. For example, frequently washing hands or checking locked doors. Treatment includes cognitive behavioural therapy and medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

PTSD is a condition that develops after experiencing a traumatic event. Symptoms include intrusive memories, nightmares, exacerbated reactions and avoidance of situations that remind of the trauma. Treatment includes psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) and medication.

Which serious mental disorder is hardest to live with and why?

Among serious mental illnesses, schizophrenia is considered one of the most difficult conditions to manage because of its complex symptoms and long-term consequences. Factors that make schizophrenia a real challenge include the chronicity of the illness, the need for ongoing medical and psychotherapeutic intervention, the social stigma, and the significant functional impairments that accompany the condition.

Schizophrenia is characterised by chronic psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, disturbances of thinking, perception and volitional activity that seriously impair an individual's perception of reality. These symptoms often lead to disorganised thinking and behaviour that impairs function and social interaction. Patients may also experience cognitive deficits and negative symptoms such as emotional apathy and lack of motivation, which further complicate treatment and recovery.

The personal stories of people living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia illustrate these difficulties. Many of them share about the difficulties in maintaining stable work or relationships due to unpredictable bouts of psychosis and cognitive problems.

Managing schizophrenia requires an integrated approach including medication, psychotherapy and strong social support. Medications help control psychotic symptoms but often have side effects that can affect quality of life. Psychotherapy and rehabilitation programs are important for improving cognitive function and social skills, but require time and persistence.

8 ideas on how to help someone with a serious mental illness

Supporting people with serious mental illness is essential to their recovery and quality of life.

Active listening

People with serious mental illness need to be listened to. Pay attention to the words and emotions of the person standing across from you. Showing empathy and understanding can create feelings of safety and support.

Encourage professional help

Encourage the person to seek professional help from a psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor. Explain the importance of medication and therapy. Help the person to arrange a visit to a specialist.

Offer social support

Help the person maintain social relationships and participate in group activities. Social support is key to reducing feelings of isolation and increasing feelings of belonging.

Create a safe environment

Provide a calm and safe environment. Remove potentially dangerous objects and make sure the person has a place where they can feel safe and cared for.

Encourage healthy habits

Encourage a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, a balanced diet and enough sleep. These factors can contribute to improved mental health.

Participate in activities that bring joy

Encourage the person to engage in hobbies and activities that bring them pleasure. Creative and relaxing activities can reduce stress and increase self-esteem.

Be patient and persistent

The road to recovery can be long and filled with challenges. Patience and perseverance are key to maintaining support. Don't give up, even when there seems to be no progress.

Start a campaign through PavelAndreev.ORG, an online donation platform

Serious mental illness requires not only medical and psychological support, but also significant financial resources. Treatment can be expensive, especially when it involves long-term therapy, medication and specialist care. In many cases, affected individuals and their families face significant financial difficulties. In times like these, online donation platforms, such as PavelAndreev.ORG, can be a valuable resource.

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Through the PavelAndreev.ORG platform you can easily launch a campaign aimed at helping people with serious mental illness. This can include raising funds for medical treatment, therapeutic programs or social support. With your help we can significantly improve the lives of these people. Start your campaign today and make a positive difference!