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What is mental health?
As defined by the WHO, mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It is experienced differently from one person to another, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress. Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities, notwithstanding other mental states connected to significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm. Individuals with mental health conditions are more prone to experience lower levels of mental well-being, though this is not always the case.
How common are mental health problems
Statistics from Mind UK report that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health challenge every year. 1 in 6 people are reported to experience a common mental health problem, such as anxiety and depression on a weekly basis in England. The diagnosis of an individual may change over the course of their life.
The most diagnosed mental health issues
Mixed anxiety and depression are Britain’s most common mental health disorder and are estimated to affect up to 10% of people in the UK in their lifetime.
Depression
Affects about 1 in 5 people – symptoms can include poor concentration, feeling of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or weight, feeling very tired or low in energy.
Anxiety
Affects about 1 in 10 people – symptoms can include feeling nervous, restless or tense, having a sense of doom, having an increased heart rate, breathing rapidly, sweating, trembling, feeling weak, trouble concentrating, having difficulty controlling worry.
Mixed anxiety depressive disorder
Affects about 1 in 10 adults each year – symptoms can include nervousness, worrying, having a hard time concentrating or remembering things, feeling overwhelmed, sleep disturbance, nausea, feeling flat or hopeless.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Affects about 1 in 20 adults each year – symptoms can include difficulty sleeping, feeling restless, irritable or finding it difficult to concentrate, feeling tense, getting tired easily, stomach problems, a more noticeable or unusual heartbeat.
Phobias
Affects about 1 in 40 adults each year – symptoms can include sweating, trembling, hot flushes or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, a choking sensation, rapid heartbeat, pain or tightness in the chest, a sensation of butterflies in the stomach.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Affects about 1 in 75 adults each year – it has 3 main elements: obsessions, emotions and compulsions; people with OCD may also develop other serious mental health problems, such as depression, eating disorders and GAD.
Panic disorders
Affects about 1 in 80 adults each year – symptoms can include a racing heartbeat, feeling faint, sweating, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, trembling, hot flushes, chills, dry mouth, shaky limbs, numbness or pins and needles.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the most commonly reported mental health problem in the UK – symptoms can include finding it hard to sleep, waking up several times during the night, waking up early and being unable go back to sleep, feeling tired after waking up, lying awake at night.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A response to a traumatic event – symptoms can include re-experiencing, such as flashbacks, nightmares, repetitive and distressing images or sensations, physical sensations, such as pain, sweating, feeling sick or trembling.
Eating disorders
Affects between 1.25 and 3.4 million people in the UK, with 75% being female – symptoms can include eating very little food, exercising too much, making yourself sick or taking laxatives after eating it also can include mood swings, fatigue, thinning hair or hair loss, drastic weight loss and unexplained weight changes.
How can Cavendish Homecare help
At Cavendish Homecare, our experienced, compassionate mental health nurses are here to provide mental health care to support you on you journey of wellbeing.
For more information get in touch today on 0203 008 5210 or drop us an email at info@cavendishhomecare.com.
About the Author…
Misha Zemkova
Operations Coordinator
Starting her career in Health and Social Care with a Certificate of Higher Education from the Open University, Misha Zemkova is committed to making a positive impact.
As a former volunteer at North London Action for the Homeless, Misha stands out for her exceptional ability to connect with people through active listening. With seven years of invaluable experience as a Key Worker for adults with diverse learning disabilities, Misha brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of caring for individuals with unique needs.
Now a pivotal member of the operations team at Cavendish Homecare, Misha actively supports Nurse Managers and the Bookings team in delivering high-quality care. She has demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting charity partner Cruse Bereavement through events such as the Virtual TCS London Marathon and Light up the Night.
