Debunking Some of the Main Myths Surrounding Mental Health

With so much happening that is out of our control and so much uncertainty clouding our lives, it seems like a shared feeling has become this awful impending sense of doom. Words like depression and anxiety are becoming commonplace as people struggle to cope with loss, addiction, employment changes, and social isolation. 

With so many people facing new and terrifying odds, it's important to look at what different mental health problems really look like and how they can be dealt with. Many still deny the very existence of mental health disorders and others have a fundamental fear of them. It's hard to know what is true and what isn't in the midst of all the confusion. So let's take a look at some of the common misconceptions surrounding mental health. 

1. People with mental health disorders cannot be employed
The long-standing belief has been that people with mental health problems are incapable of functioning in a normal workplace and unable to hold down steady jobs. While certain severe mental health conditions can impair a person’s ability to work, this belief is by and large, untrue.

A 2014 study conducted by American scholars determined that employment becomes affected negatively as the severity of the mental illness rises. Keeping that in mind, the study also determined that nearly 55% of people with severe mental conditions maintained functional employment, as well as 60-70% of people with mild or moderate conditions. Compare that to 75% employment of people without any mental illness. 

The study also found that employment rates for people with mental health disorders decreased as age increased. Though it can be difficult for a person with mental health problems to adjust to different working environments, it is by no means impossible or even uncommon. 

2. Mental health problems are permanent
When people find themselves or someone close to them experiencing symptoms of and being diagnosed with a mental health disorder, their immediate assumption may be that they are being slapped with a life sentence. This is not always the case as the severity and longevity of mental illness usually differ from person to person. 

Symptoms of depression, addiction, or schizophrenia can include everything from fatigue, insomnia, and mood swings to seizures, restlessness, and sensitivity to light. Some people may suffer from the symptoms during infrequent episodes. Certain forms of depression are triggered by particular events or external factors, like Seasonal Affective Disorder, which results in mood swings only during certain seasons. 

For the most part, with regular treatment, people with mental illnesses can recover, with the help of medical and therapeutic treatments, and live a full and satisfying life. In some cases, recovery may mean a return to normalcy, while others see it as relief from prolonged symptoms which didn't allow them to function happily. Depending on the disorder and its severity, the road to recovery may be long and arduous, but it is in no way a life sentence.


3. Only women are affected by eating disorders

Much like the idea that women can’t play sports, and men cannot cook, this statement is merely a stereotype, usually associated with young women from wealthy backgrounds and, of course, models and actors. While it has been largely women that suffered from eating problems, men have also been affected by anorexia and bulimia. In fact, a 2014 study showed a shift in the demographics for this type of mental health problem. 

The study was conducted over a 10 year period from 1998 to 2008 and investigated the eating habits of different demographics, like age, gender, and socio-economic status. It found that there was a significant increase in behavior associated with eating disorders in men from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and people above the age of 45. 

Many were found to be engaging in cycles of binge-eating, extreme purging, and heavy dieting. This behavior is often carried out in the pursuit of greater physical health at the risk of quality of life. Other research shows that men constitute 25% of all cases of binge-eating disorders, bulimia, and anorexia.

4. Mental health problems aren't that common

It may seem like mental disorders are a rare illness that only affect a few, but the numbers are much larger than you’d expect. An estimation made by the WHO (World Health Organization) in 2001, noted that “1 in 4 people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives.”

More recent studies have shown nearly 300 million people across the globe are affected by depression. A study published in September 2020 revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in people developing symptoms of depression at triple the rate before given the multitude of new triggers, from lower-income to extreme isolation. 

There are a variety of other mental illnesses that affect people, like bipolar disorder which nearly 5% of adults will experience at some point in their lives, and even anxiety. 3 in every 100 American adults, that’s nearly 7 million people, suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 4

5. Substance abuse is caused by an inability to resist
While it does take an immense amount of willpower to avoid or recover from a substance abuse problem, like alcoholism or drug addiction, it is not the only factor that comes into play. Substance abuse disorders have been linked to environmental, genetic, and physiological factors, well beyond the reach of willpower. Alcoholism has been recognized as a disease since as early as the 1950s. 

Drug-addiction has more recently joined the ranks of acknowledged mental health disorders as the role of mental illness, stress, trauma, and genetics in addiction has become more evident. A 2008 study showed that genetics influence reaction time to substances, instinctive repetitive behavior, and even an inability to feel the negative effects of drugs, all of which contribute to the development of an addiction. 

In addition to the hereditary development of addictions, environmental factors like stress and trauma can also act as triggers that incite addiction. Most chemical dependency recovery programs focus on determining methods to cope with and control environmental triggers, thereby preserving willpower and enabling greater functionality. 

6. Children do not have mental health conditions
We like to associate children with innocence and joy, and while that is absolutely the case, that does not preclude them from vulnerability to mental health problems. There are numerous factors that can affect the mental health of children from physical appearance and popularity among peers to grades and other academic pressures - all in addition to genetic and physiological factors. 

A Canadian study conducted in 2019 surveyed the mental health status of over 10,000 kids in Ontario. This study made use of data collected from families and children and observed that nearly 1 in 5 kids between the age of 4 to 17 have or will develop a mental health problem. Signs of mental illnesses seen in adults begin to manifest themselves when the person is as young as 14 years old. 

The study also determined that age, gender, and socioeconomic factors played a role in how the symptoms of various mental health problems manifested themselves. Younger boys were more hyperactive while older boys showed signs of emotional disorders. Children from low-income families living in high-poverty areas internalized symptoms more than those living in high-income areas. This further adds to the importance of understanding mental health problems and illnesses on a person-to-person basis.

7. You can die from panic attack

Panic attacks can come in a variety of symptoms depending on severity, the most common being hyperventilation, headaches, sweating, and shaking. These symptoms do not cause death. That said, the symptoms together can be extremely damaging to the body and the mind, and should be treated promptly. 

Since panic attacks have physical manifestations, they can leave lasting physical effects. They can also leave a person immobilized by fear, increasing their heart rate to extreme levels. Frequent panic attacks and chronic stress result in heart palpitations, chest pain, and numbness in the extremities. Over a period of time, this can lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and even heart problems. 

Deep breathing exercises can be highly effective in battling panic attacks and recovering from them more quickly, reducing the impact on your body. Staying active and practicing muscle relaxation techniques can also help bring down the frequency of attacks and symptoms.

Mental health problems are more common than we realize but far less fearsome than we first thought, and most of them can be treated successfully. In the case of all mental health problems, it’s important to talk to people close to you, stay aware of recent studies on mental health, and talk to a mental health professional about symptoms you or someone close to you has been experiencing. 

Exercise, diet, positive thinking, and mental exercises can go a long way in improving one’s mental health, and medicinal treatments are also available. Though they may seem daunting, mental health problems and illnesses do not have to keep you or your loved ones from living a happy and fulfilling life.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Keep small plants at your desk to reduce stress

Stress-reduction at the workplace is a pressing issue in today's times. Though the complete avoidance of the condition is inevitable, a recent study conducted in relation to the stress levels of employees in a workplace suggests that the placement of small pants near the work desk can reduce some degree of the stress levels.

The study explains how a small plant situated within easy viewing can reduce stress in office workers.

The researchers of the study explored the practical use of indoor plants to boost mental health among employees typically the ones who are removed from exposure to healthy green environments.

It is a well-known fact that plant life often brings mental peace but this study scientifically verifies the degree of psychological and physiological impact induced by indoor plants. The researchers took it to the real office  settings and calculated stress reduction on employees.

The researcher adds, at present, not so many people fully understand and utilise the benefits of stress recovery brought by plants in the workplace. To ameliorate such situations, we decided it essential to verify and provide scientific evidence for the stress restorative effect by nearby plants in real office setting.

The experiment was done with 63 workers in Japan to track the psychological and physiological changes before and after placing a plant on the worker's desk.

The researchers measured psychological stress in the participants using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The ratio of the participants whose pulse rate lowered significantly after a 3 minute rest with interaction with their desk plant proved definitive.

The whole point of the study was to verify the stress-reducing effect of gazing intentionally at a plant in a real office setting when a worker felt fatigued during office hours. Both passive and active involvement with plants in the workplace were considered for their contribution to the mitigation of stress and fatigue.

Participants had both passive ( visual access) and active ( taking care) involvement with plants. Furthermore, the researchers considered that intentionally gazing at the plant was though not involving physical movement, active interaction with plants that office workers could do quickly and easily at their desks.

Participants were open to choose their preference for the plant and kept it near their work desk.
The calming effects calculated during the study showed that anxiety decreased significantly from pre to post intervention. The researchers suggest that placing small plants within close sight contributed to psychological stress reduction across the board.

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What Every Woman Should Know About Her Thyroid Gland

Your heart and brain get all the attention, but your thyroid—that butterfly-shaped gland situated below your voice box and above your collarbone—is the true unsung hero of your body. It produces two main hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), that travel in your bloodstream, influencing physiological functions from head to toe. “Every cell in your body needs thyroid hormones to work correctly,” says a Dr. “They regulate everything from metabolism to bone health. So much depends on your thyroid being perfect.”

When it’s not, problems arise. If your thyroid gland is underactive, for example—a condition known as hypothyroidism  levels of T3 and T4 can sink too low; because the hormones influence neurological function, you might feel forgetful or depressed. If your thyroid is overactive, a condition called hyperthyroidism, T3 and T4 creep too high, and you may experience irritability or anxiousness, explains a Dr. Hyperthyroidism can also speed up your metabolism, and may lead to weight loss, while hypothyroidism can cause weight gain.

A thyroid dysfunction can throw off your menstrual cycle, too, and might explain peekaboo periods. Your thyroid even affects the regularity of your No. 2s: Hypothyroidism is linked to constipation, and hyperthyroidism can bring on frequent, loose BMs.

There’s a risk of more serious health issues as well. When thyroid hormones climb too high, the body destroys old bone faster than it can be replaced, which hastens osteoporosis. An overactive thyroid can also trigger the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation. An underactive thyroid, on the other hand, can make you more prone to high cholesterol and complications with your blood pressure.
But the biggest tip-off that your thyroid isn’t functioning right is feeling “wiped,” says an endocrinologist. “You’re so tired that you’re not able to carry out your daily tasks or get through your normal workout routine.” And the tiredness doesn’t go away after a good night’s rest. That kind of overwhelming fatigue is a symptom of both hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

Risk Factors

Just being a woman raises your likelihood of developing a thyroid problem. Why that is remains somewhat of a mystery. “Estrogen definitely plays a role in some way,” says a Dr. “Thyroid cells have a lot of estrogen receptors,” he explains, which would make them especially sensitive to the effects of the female hormone.

There’s also the fact that many thyroid conditions are autoimmune disorders. The most common cause of an underactive thyroid, for example, is Hashimoto’s disease, while the most common cause of an overactive thyroid is Graves’ disease. And those are more likely to affect women too. Your genes may factor in as well: A 2017 study  found that almost half of Hashimoto’s patients have a family history of the disease.

The good news is, most thyroid disorders are treatable once you have a diagnosis. Your doctor can get a picture of what’s going on with an exam and a blood test that measures your level of TSH—or thyroid-stimulating hormone. This hormone is released by your pituitary gland to trigger the thyroid to produce T3 and T4.

In people with hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland doesn’t respond well to TSH, and the pituitary gland churns out more and more of the hormone in an effort to stimulate the release of T3 and T4. Conversely, when the thyroid is in overdrive, your brain senses that levels of T3 and T4 are too high, and the pituitary gland makes little to no TSH.

If your doc diagnoses you with hypothyroidism, she will prescribe a synthetic form of thyroid hormone called levothyroxine. This medication, which you take once a day, is considered very safe, says a Dr.  at the right dose, you should have minimal or no side effects.

With hyperthyroidism, the first line of treatment is usually the drug methimazole, which stops the thyroid from pumping out too much of the hormones, a Dr. says. But because there are some concerns with using antithyroid drugs during pregnancy, if you’re planning on having children at some point, you might consider having your thyroid removed instead, or taking radioactive iodine, which gradually shrinks the gland and ultimately destroys it. Once your thyroid is gone, you’ll need to take levothyroxine for life.

Stay Balanced

One thing you can do to help keep your thyroid healthy is make sure you have a good source of iodine in your diet. The mineral is a critical raw material for the production of T3 and T4. Most people consume enough iodine since it’s in fortified foods, such as breads, as well as iodized table salt—just ½ to ¾ of a teaspoon will get you to the daily target of 150 mcg. But if you are on a very-low-salt diet or only cook with sea salt, or you’re gluten-free, you might need to focus on other sources, says the Dr. Eggs, dairy, saltwater fish, and seaweed can all help you meet the requirement. People with hypo- or hyperthyroidism don’t need to consume more or less iodine than the recommended amount; there’s no evidence that the mineral can actually treat those conditions, and excessive amounts may worsen them.

If you suspect your thyroid needs a boost, you may be curious about the many “thyroid support” supplements sold in drugstores and online. These pills promise to increase your energy, rev your metabolism, and more. But they’re risky, warns a Dr.

When Mayo Clinic researchers analyzed 10 popular products, they discovered that nine of them actually contained T3 or T4, or both—and some of the supplements supplied doses that were equal to or higher than the amount of synthetic thyroid hormone a doctor might prescribe. Such a dose could cause serious side effects, including bone-mass loss or an irregular heartbeat.

Bring your thyroid concerns up with your doc before you experiment with an over-the-counter pill. She’ll help you identify the underlying problem, so you get a remedy that’s effective and safe. “Your thyroid is the engine that powers your entire body,” says a Dr. “With a little teamwork, you and your physician can make sure it’s right on track.”

Is thyroid cancer becoming more common?

In the past 30 years, diagnoses of thyroid cancer have tripled. But the spike isn’t as alarming as it sounds, says  a thyroid cancer surgeon.

Doctors are using ultrasound and other neck imaging more often, he explains: “Studies suggest much of the increase in diagnoses is due to incidental findings of small, slow-growing cancers that may not have been diagnosed in decades past.” In fact, he adds, there are many women walking around with such tumors who may never need treatment.

If your doc detects a nodule that’s less than a centimeter, she’ll likely track it to see if it’s growing, says an oncologist. (About 90 percent to 95 percent of nodules are benign.) With a larger cancerous nodule, depending on the size, the protocol is to have part or all of your thyroid surgically removed; after that, you’ll take a daily dose of the synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medication levothyroxine.

There’s unfortunately not much you can do to reduce your odds of thyroid cancer, says the Dr. “Over 95 percent of the time, there’s no associated risk factor—we just consider these cancers random genetic events.”
 this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Domestic abuse victims twice at risk of long-term illnesses

Published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, a new research from Universities of Birmingham and Warwick in the UK shows that women who have experienced domestic abuse are almost twice as likely to develop fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) than those who have not.
Fibromyalgia causes pain all over the body, while CFS is an illness with a wide range of symptoms, most common of which is extreme tiredness. They are both long-term conditions. “We have been aware that domestic abuse has significant negative effects for victims and their children. This and other related work by our team showing strong associations with several diseases suggests that the costs of abuse are even greater than understood previously,” said Indian-origin researcher and study co-author Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay from the University of Birmingham.

“The higher incidence of long-term illnesses, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, for abused women implies the existence of an additional hidden cost to society that we need to understand better,” Bandyopadhyay added. The study, examined the general practitioner (GP) records dating between 1995 and 2017 of 18,547 women who had suffered domestic abuse, compared to 74,188 who had not.

They found the risk of developing fibromyalgia and CFS in women who have experienced domestic abuse was twice the rate of those who had no recorded experience by their GP, after taking into account factors which may influence the association. The incidence rate ratio for developing fibromyalgia was 1.73 (1.36-2.22). The incidence rate ratio of developing CFS was 1.91 (1.11-3.33)

It comes after a previous study led by the University of Birmingham showed that UK domestic abuse victims are three times more likely to develop severe mental illnesses. “Recent UK estimates suggest that 27.1 per cent of women have experienced some form of domestic abuse, with a large proportion of these cases expected to be women who have suffered violence at the hands of an intimate partner,” said study researcher Joht Singh Chandan.

“Considering the prevalence of domestic abuse, and the fact that patients experiencing fibromyalgia and CFS often face delays in diagnosis due to a limited understanding generally of how these conditions are caused, it is important for clinicians to bear in mind that women who have survived abuse are at a greater risk of these conditions,” Chandan added.

According to the study, survivors of domestic abuse can experience immense physiological and psychological stress.

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