It is crucial for individuals with bipolar disorder to consult a psychiatrist and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and symptoms.

If you or someone you know is struggling with bipolar disorder, remember that you are not alone. With the right support and treatment, it is possible to manage the condition and live a fulfilling life.

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In recent years, mental health has emerged as a major worry for many people. Ever wondered why? The reasons may differ, and the list continues, such as personal relationships, work-related concerns, and financial restraints. So, to highlight the importance of mental health, World Mental Health Day is marked every year on October 10th. This year's theme centers on our mental health at work. Problems are inevitable in everyone's lives, especially in our workplace, and might have an impact on their mental health. Everything depends on how we handle it, and in this article, we have provided you with three random activities to increase your mindfulness and maintain a pleasant mental wellbeing.

World Mental Health Day 2024: "Mental Health at Work"

The theme for this year, "Mental Health at Work," emphasizes the vital connection between mental health and our workplaces. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that safe, healthy working settings can safeguard mental health, but unhealthy surroundings, such as stigma, discrimination, and poor working conditions, can pose serious hazards.

WHO reports that since 60% of the total world’s population is at work, urgent action is required to support mental health at work. And that includes, involving workers, employers, and everyone at work have knowledge about mental health conditions in the course of decisions.

Now, let us explore the three random, simple, and effective exercises that can be integrated into your daily routine to help improve your mental well-being and potentially contribute to a healthy working environment and lifestyle.

1. The Five Senses Grounding Technique

This mindfulness exercise helps you to focus yourself on the present moment by involving all your senses: Sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. This aids in stress relief, improved focus, and improved emotional regulation.

How to do it:

1. Sit in a calm environment and take a few deep breaths.
2. Identify and spot any 5 things around you.
3. Close your eyes and listen to any 4 things that you can hear.
4. Concentrate and sense any 3 things that you can touch or feel.
5. Recognize any 2 things that you can smell.
6. And finally, focus on 1 thing you can taste.

By incorporating this technique into your daily routine, it can help calm your nervous system, offer support to those with PTSD, help ease social anxiety, and assist with grounding.

2. Mindful Walking

A routine activity that can transform into a mindfulness exercise is Mindful Walking. It offers numerous benefits like reducing blood pressure, providing better sleep, managing stress, and so on.

How to do it:

1. First, choose a walking route, be it indoor or outdoor.
2. Start walking by focussing on the sensation of your feet.
3. Notice the rhythm of your steps and the movement of your legs.
4. Observe your surroundings. If your mind wanders, try bringing your mind gently to the walking sensation.

This way of practicing our routine activity helps to improve our mindfulness and is beneficial for both physical and mental health.

3. The Body Scan Meditation

This exercise can help release tension that you may not be realizing, and also promote awareness of physical sensations.

How to do it:

1. Start by sitting or lying down comfortably with your eyes closed.
2. Focus your attention on each part of your body, starting from your toes.
3. Just observe and acknowledge what you feel. Notice if you can feel any discomfort, tension, or sensations.
4. If your mind wanders, try to redirect your focus back to the body part you’re scanning.
5. Continue to each part of the body until you reach the top of your head.

Regular practice of the body scan can improve your ability to recognize and release physical tension, leading to better overall relaxation and stress management.

As we celebrate World Mental Health Day 2024, remember that mindfulness is a skill that improves with practice. Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, both at work and in your personal life, can significantly enhance your mental well-being. While these mindfulness exercises can be powerful tools for maintaining mental health, it is important to recognize when you might need additional support. Consider consulting with a mental wellness therapist online for personalized guidance and strategies tailored to your specific needs. Start small, be patient with yourself, and gradually build your mindfulness muscles. By investing in your mental health, you contribute to a healthier future for yourself and potentially a more positive work environment for all.

• Genetics
• Societally pressure
• Trauma 
• Mental health issues

Types of Eating Disorder

Understanding eating disorders is crucial for providing the right support to those affected. These disorders come in various forms, each unique to the individual experiencing them. Here are some common eating disorders:

1. Anorexia Nervosa

Individuals with this eating disorder have a fear of gaining weight; they constantly strive to become extremely thin. Thus, they will severely restrict their food intake and exercise excessively. Common symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:

• Restrictive eating habits
• Obsession with weight loss
• Being underweight

2. Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa, also known as bulimia, is a disorder in which a person engages in episodes of binging, during which one eats a large amount of food and then purges (self-induced vomiting or exercising excessively to get rid of the extra calories). It typically begins in late teens or early adulthood. Symptoms include:

• Discolored or stained teeth
  
• Swelling in the cheeks or jaw area
• Frequent weight fluctuations
• Dehydration

3. Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge eating is more like Bulimia. Typically, individuals with binge eating disorder consume large amounts of food frequently, but they do not attempt to purge the calories afterward. Instead, they often experience discomfort and may struggle with feelings of shame, regret, guilt, or depression. Symptoms of binge eating disorder include:

• Consuming a large amount of food
• Eating rapidly and alone
• Eating much faster than normal

4. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, also known as ARFID, is a condition where individuals avoid certain foods or have severely restricted eating habits. ARFID can occur in people of any age, and the symptoms can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include:

• Avoidance of certain foods
• Fear of choking or vomiting
• Lack of interest in eating
• Being very sensitive to the flavor and texture of food

5. Pica

Pica is a condition in which some people have cravings for non-food items, which include paper, soap, paint, chalk, or ice. It affects people of all genders and ages; however, it is most commonly seen in pregnant women, children, and people who have developmental disabilities such as autism. Untreated Pica can result in serious health consequences, including infections, choking, and intestinal blockages.

Complications of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorders, can pose significant threats to one's physical health. These may include:

• Heart problems
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Electrolyte imbalances

Individuals experiencing eating issues should seek help and support from professionals. Ignoring the issue can lead to serious consequences.

In Conclusion

Every individual with an eating disorder requires a personalized and tailored care plan. The treatment plan may sometimes involve a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Finding the right healthcare professional is crucial to ensure that the treatment plan is effective and addresses the specific needs of the individual.

Generally, people with schizophrenia will incur delusions and hallucinations, disconnecting from reality. This illness has the potential to affect how a person thinks, feels, and acts, which is why it requires immediate and effective medical attention from a psychiatrist or a psychologist.

Now, in this article let us get to know about schizophrenia symptoms in detail so that it can be diagnosed and treated at the earliest.

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Many people with schizophrenia don't realize they have it as the symptoms differ from person to person and usually, it starts showing up in early adulthood. These symptoms might be more intense at first but often become less severe as the person gets older.

Now, let's look at some of the symptoms of schizophrenia in more detail.

 
Categories of Schizophrenia

The two categories of schizophrenia include the following:

Positive Schizophrenia Symptoms

Positive Schizophrenia symptoms are the unusual symptoms that arise when a person gets strange feelings and thoughts. These are commonly called psychotic symptoms. Experiencing these symptoms is the most common part of schizophrenia.

Negative Schizophrenia Symptoms

Negative Schizophrenia symptoms include the lack of absence in the feelings that affect the normal functioning in people. For instance, an individual might lose interest in being active or appear to avoid expressing their emotions. The list below shows some cases of negative symptoms:

• Not enough energy
• Not interested in life or hobbies
• Being unwilling to leave your house
• Any changes to the way you sleep
• Having trouble focusing
• Being unwilling to talk to other people
• Not being able to think of anything to say
• Not being able to think and feel normally
• Having trouble with other people
• Lack of cleanliness or grooming

Schizophrenia Symptoms In-detail

Delusions

Delusions are false beliefs that a person firmly holds onto despite evidence to the contrary. These beliefs are often irrational and can't be explained by cultural or religious norms. Delusions can take various forms, such as paranoid delusions (believing someone is out to harm them), grandiose delusions (believing they have exceptional abilities or importance), or somatic delusions (believing their body is diseased or altered).

This typical schizophrenia symptom can bring problems in a person’s relationships, work life, family, etc., and must be treated effectively to avoid any critical circumstances.

Hallucinations

A hallucination is a sensory perception that seems real but is created by the mind rather than by external stimuli. Furthermore, individuals experiencing this schizophrenia symptom often find it more disturbing and irritable affecting their daily lives. There are various methods of experiencing hallucinations that occur in any of the five senses—sight, hearing, taste, touch, or smell, but hearing voices is found to be the most prevalent one for many individuals.

Incoherent or Disorganized Speaking

A person may speak and think unusually, bouncing from one topic to another. As a result, it could be challenging for others to understand what the affected person is saying. There may also be issues with memory and the ability to comprehend and use knowledge.

Disorganized Motor Behaviors

This could show up in a lot of different ways, from acting like a child or being irritable all the time. Things are hard to do when behavior isn't aimed at a goal. Behaviors can include - not following directions, having the wrong or strangest posture, not responding at all, or moving around a lot for no reason.

Because of all these Schizophrenia symptoms, you may:

• Feel nervous, anxious, or scared.
• Never care about how you look or how clean you are.
• Feel depressed, anxious, and like committing suicide.

Whom should you consult for Schizophrenia?

For schizophrenia, it's important to consult a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist, who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders.

Summing Up

If you're concerned that someone you love or know might have schizophrenia symptoms, you should communicate with that person about it. You can't compel someone to get professional help, but you can support and help them to do so by finding or suggesting to consult with a doctor immediately.

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In today's fast-paced world, our mental health often takes a backseat to the demands of daily routines. Yet, just as we emphasize physical health check-ups, we must also pay attention to our mental health. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between everyday pressures and underlying mental health disorders. This is where the expertise of psychiatrists and mental wellness therapists becomes invaluable.

Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. They can prescribe medications and offer therapy to treat conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Mental wellness therapists, such as psychologists, counsellors, and social workers, use talk therapy and behavioural interventions to assist people in dealing with life issues, improving relationships, and developing healthier coping mechanisms.

Who is a Psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has had considerable training in prescribing medications and providing therapy for mental health and substance use disorders. Psychiatrists will ask questions about your history, screen for symptoms, and may request additional tests to evaluate your physical and mental health. They will create a treatment plan that may include therapy, medication, and advice on developing a support system, among others. Psychiatrists can discuss the potential benefits and adverse effects of medications, monitor your symptoms, and alter your prescription or dosage as necessary.

Who is a Mental Wellness Therapist?

A therapist is a qualified mental health professional, such as a social worker or a counsellor, who provides therapy. Therapists typically do not have the authorization to prescribe medications. You can visit a mental wellness therapist in person or make an online consultation with them.

It is critical to find a provider whose practice matches your needs. A therapist may work with a specific age group, such as teenagers or older adults, or provide therapy for specific conditions or situations, such as substance use disorder, eating disorders, or relationship problems.

When to See a Psychiatrist?

Medication Management: If you are suffering severe symptoms of a mental illness, such as psychosis, severe depression, or bipolar disorder, you ought to consult with a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists can do detailed evaluations to identify the best medication regimen and monitor your progress over time.

Complex Mental Health conditions: Some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), necessitate specialist treatment approaches that include drug administration and psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are experts at developing thorough treatment regimens that are suited to each patient's specific needs.

Co-occurring Medical Conditions: When mental health symptoms coexist with underlying medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders or neurological conditions, psychiatrists can work with other healthcare providers to provide comprehensive care and address potential medication interactions.

When to See a Mental Wellness Therapist?

Psychotherapy and Counselling: A mental wellness therapist can provide various types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), or interpersonal therapy (IPT), to help you manage stress, improve coping skills, or address relationship issues. These therapies explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to encourage positive change and improve well-being.

Personal Growth and Self-Exploration: Therapy is not just for treating mental illnesses; it may also help with personal development and self-exploration. A mental health therapist can help you navigate life transitions, gain self-awareness, and achieve your goals and dreams.

Preventative Care: Proactively engaging in therapy can be used to provide mental health preventative care. Therapy can help reduce the chance of developing more serious mental health issues in the future by building good coping skills, increasing resilience, and treating underlying stressors.

In conclusion, both psychiatrists and mental wellness therapists play important roles in promoting mental health, although through different approaches. Knowing when to seek each professional's advice can help you take proactive efforts to improve your mental health and overall quality of life. Whether you require pharmaceutical treatment for a serious mental illness or are looking for support for personal growth and self-exploration, a professional is ready to help you on your journey to mental health.