Mental Illness And Its Effects On The Brain - 1754 Words

One in five adults has experienced some type of mental illness. In addition to this, one in twenty has lived with a serious mental illness such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, or major depression (Singletary). These statistics show that metal health illnesses are a widespread issue in our world today. Although many people do suffer from mental illnesses, a large number do not receive the care they need because they simply cannot afford it. Mental health illnesses are just as serious as physical injuries, and therefore should receive equal insurance coverage. Mental illnesses are diseases that attack the brain. With the brain being the control center of our bodies, it is easy to see why these illnesses are so serious. Research†¦show more content†¦Imagine always being on guard against danger, living your day to day life in constant fear of a traumatic event you have experienced. Imagine trying so hard to block the memories out, avoiding others and losing contact with the world around you, but no matter how hard you try to forget, you just can’t. Imagine being terrified at the very thought of leaving your shell. These feelings of helplessness are what people suffering with PTSD are forced to cope with (Simpson). Now, imagine having Schizophrenia. You often hallucinate, and some of these hallucinations become so real to you that you lose the ability to distinguish what actually exists from what is in your head (Barbour). The effects don’t end there either; along with the debilitating effects on the mind, peopl e with a mental illness can have various physical symptoms. These include headaches, stomach problems, chest pain, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping (Simpson). The bottom line is this: mental illnesses have profound negative effects on people’s lives. This fact only emphasizes why they need to be adequately treated. There are many different treatment types available for those suffering from mental illnesses. For people with PTSD, often the only way to get better is through confronting and dealing with their traumatic memories. These patients will likely need to see a grief counselor. In addition to this, people with depression who are at risk for suicide may need to undergo psychotherapy, which