By Franklin Delgado
In 2023, almost 1.2 billion people in the world suffered from mental disorders, which represents an increase of 95.5% since 1990. Anxiety and depression disorders were the most prevalent, highlighting an increase of 158% and 131%, respectively.
Among the less frequent disorders were anorexia, bulimia and schizophrenia, although the figures are not negligible either: approximately 4 million, 14 million and 26 million cases.
These data, collected in a study published in the journal The Lancetsuggest that the health crisis caused by the pandemic continues to have an impact, with high levels of anxiety and depression that have not returned to pre-pandemic numbers.
The research also analyzes the variations of these disorders depending on age, sex and other sociodemographic variables.
Factors underlying the crisis
Experts have identified a number of factors contributing to the rise in mental disorders, including economic instability, trauma, and lack of access to medical care.
“If you stop to reflect on the conditions in which people live, it is unfortunately not surprising,” said Robert Trestman, chief of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, in statements cited by cnn.
Despite greater openness about mental health, the expansion of services to address it has not kept pace.
The importance of seeking professional help and improving lifestyle factors is also highlighted. Organizations like Psychological Health America and Befrienders Worldwide offer resources and helplines for those seeking mental health support.
Identification of common symptoms
The most common symptoms of mental disorders are usually grouped into changes in mood, thinking, behavior, and daily functioning; Identifying them involves observing duration, severity, and impact on daily life and seeking professional evaluation if various symptoms persist or worsen.
Frequent symptoms
- Mood changes: persistent sadness, intense irritability, or significant emotional ups and downs.
- Excessive anxiety and fear: constant worry, panic attacks, avoidance of situations.
- Sleep and energy disturbances: insomnia or sleeping too much, marked fatigue, and loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities.
- Cognitive problems: difficulty concentrating, remembering, or thinking clearly.
- Changes in appetite or weight: Noticeable loss or increase in appetite or weight without a clear cause.
- Psychotic symptoms (less common but critical): hallucinations (hearing/seeing things that do not exist), delusional strategies or disorganized thinking.
- Impulsive or self-harming behaviors: excessive alcohol/drug use, risky behavior, attempts at self-harm or suicidal ideation.
- Social isolation and functional impairment: withdrawal from relationships, poor performance at work/studies, abandonment of self-care.
How to identify whether to worry
- Duration and accumulation: Several of the above symptoms present for weeks or longer and not attributable to temporary factors.
- Impact on daily life: They interfere with work/student performance, relationships or self-care.
- Unusual or sudden changes: Personality changes, erratic behavior, or thoughts/descriptions that alarm family or friends.
- Urgent alarm symptoms: Thoughts of harming or committing suicide, losing contact with reality (hearing voices, seeing things) or dangerous behaviors; require immediate attention.
What to do if you or someone has signs
- Talk to a mental health professional (psychologist or psychiatrist) for evaluation and diagnosis; Many conditions require clinical testing and follow-up.
- Seek immediate support if there is a risk of harm: Emergency services or local helplines in case of suicidal crisis or psychosis.
- Record symptoms: Write down what happens, when, its duration, factors that worsen or alleviate them, and the impact on daily life to share in the consultation.
- Avoid self-diagnosis and consult reliable and professional sources for treatment options (therapy, medication, psychosocial support).
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