May 2017 www.womanthismonth.com LIFESTYLE | wellbeing 44 The cells in the brain – the body’s central processing unit – fire commands every second of the day to other cells all over the body, enabling us to carry out our daily functions. But sometimes, the giant walnut in our heads falls short in effectively coordinating these billions of cells across the body, which can affect daily life. A mental health condition hinders our thinking and everyday activities. It also helps determine how we handle stress, interact with others and make choices. Dr Gardenia Al Saffar, consultant in psychiatry at Royal Bahrain Hospital, says: “The cause of mental illnesses is multifactorial. The most important biological factor is possibly heredity or genetics. If an individual has a relative who has been diagnosed with a mental illness, they are more likely to develop one themselves. This does not mean every individual with a family history of mental illness will be affected. Biological factors involved in the development of mental illnesses are infections, substance It turns out that males and females commonly suffer mental health problems distinct to their genders. Behnaz Sanjana looks at the three most common among women. Matters of the Mind abuse, brain injury or abnormalities, poisoning and poor nutrition. Psychological factors that can trigger mental illness are childhood trauma, neglect and poor coping skills. The environmental factors that can contribute to mental illnesses are what we commonly call stressors, which include loss of loved ones, financial hardship, social and cultural expectations and role transitions.” DEPRESSION Dr Gardenia explains that depression is a serious mood disorder, and that the term is being widely and incorrectly used these days, thereby belittling the suffering of genuine patients. This also contributes to the stigma arising from the mistaken perception that mental illnesses are a result of weakness and something that people should just "get over it". She says: “While sadness is one of the criteria required for diagnosing depression, it is not necessary to make the diagnosis as some patients simply feel irritable while others may show loss of interest in their everyday activities and feelings of tiredness and fatigue. Patients with depression also suffer from changes in their sleep, appetite and sexual drive. They complain of changes in their cognitive functioning as they notice their concentration and memory deteriorating. They find themselves perceiving the world differently to the extent that their self-esteem and confidence become poor and they might feel excessively guilty about things they may have no control over.” In severe cases or when patients remain untreated, they find themselves feeling hopeless about the future and wishing to die or becoming suicidal. Fortunately, depression is treatable. “The treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms. It usually includes medication such as antidepressants as well as psychological therapy.” The doctor notes that the possible side-effects of medication are a small challenge to deal with compared to the severe effects of depression on one’s ability to function on social and occupational levels. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, improving sleep, good nutrition and stress reduction are also powerful tools that can help speed up recovery and prevent a relapse.
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