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Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health Awareness
Ebook99 pages54 minutes

Mental Health Awareness

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About this ebook

Mental Health Awareness is a concise manual of mental health conditions and their treatment for patients and their families.
LanguageEnglish
PublisherBookBaby
Release dateJul 16, 2013
ISBN9780992299026
Mental Health Awareness

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    Mental Health Awareness - Shafiq, Yasin

    Text Copyright © 2013 Dr Shafiq G Yasin

    All Rights Reserved

    ISBN: 9780992299026

    Dedication

    I have dedicated this book to my father, the late Dr Yasin who worked as a psychiatrist for over 45 years in Pakistan.

    Since my childhood I have witnessed thousands of people seeking help from my father. I have always looked up to him and admired the work that he did, and along with both of my sisters followed in his footsteps with the thought of helping those suffering from mental illness.

    For years I have wanted to show my gratitude for how my father has shaped my life and continues to motivate me every day, so I wrote this book with the thought of raising awareness about mental illness so that those suffering from mental illness will have a better support system to help them reach recovery.

    Because one of the central things I have learned from my father, especially in a developing country, is how limited the resources and awareness about mental health issues are, which is apparent in the high stigma surrounding mental health.

    Add to this a poor level of education and awareness about mental health diagnosis and its management, I observed so many people not seeking help, resulting in further complications and impaired psychosocial functioning.

    Dr Shafiq Yasin

    Introduction

    This chapter will deal with general information about mental health issues and how you can help yourself and your loved ones on the path to recovery. There is an emphasis on how you can care for your own mental health, prevent relapses and what to do in case of one.

    What to Expect at Your First Appointment

    Your first psychiatric appointment can be incredibly daunting at first, but it is not going to be as bad as you might expect. Your consultation will be in a calm environment where you will speak to your psychiatrist one on one. This is completely confidential and your psychiatrist will remain non-judgemental.

    The first session will run for about 45 minutes and you will be asked questions related to mood, anxiety and psychosis. You should share as much as you can with the psychiatrist but if you don’t feel comfortable, this can be dealt with later on. You should, however, be completely honest so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. The more information you give, the easier it is for the psychiatrist to come up with an effective treatment plan.

    If a diagnosis is made, the psychiatrist will identify what may have triggered the illness. This may include family history of mental illness, previous trauma or abuse, use of alcohol or drugs, medical problems or previous mental health issues.

    You and the psychiatrist will evaluate how the illness affects your everyday life and relationships, and the best course of action will be determined.

    Myths about Mental Illness

    Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions regarding mental health issues, due to the stigma there is in society. Part of this is because of depictions in the media, as well as a lack of education about these diseases. So here are some common myths about mental illness and the facts for you to understand.

    Mental Illness is Rare

    One in five Australians will experience a mental illness in a twelve month period, and nearly half of the population will experience a mental illness at some point in their life.

    The Mentally Ill are Violent and Dangerous

    The mentally ill are no more dangerous than any other group in society. Often, mentally ill people themselves are the victims of crime. Violence is slightly more possible with individuals during an acute psychotic episode and who are not receiving treatment, abusing alcohol or drugs or have a previous history of violence.

    Medications are Dangerous and Should be Avoided

    Nobody would say to a diabetic or somebody with cancer that they should avoid taking medication. While not all mentally ill people require medication for an extended period of time, medications may be required to prevent symptoms from coming back. All medications have side effects, but they

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