A study based on records culled from the new Philippine Health Information System on Hental Health (PHIS-MH), comprising information from 2,562 patients who consulted 14 participating public and private hospitals from May 8, 2014, to May 6, 2015, reported that schizophrenia is the top brain disorder affecting mentally ill patients who seek consultation and treatment.
This project is a joint initiative of the University of the Philippines Manila National Institute–Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Health, Foundation for Advancement of Clinical Epidemiology and Philippine Psychiatric Association and funded by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson and Johnson.
Other common mental health disorders are: (2) major depressive disorder, (3) panic attacks (anxiety), (4) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) –anxiety, (5) bipolar disorder, (6) drug addiction, and (7) sleep disorders.
1. Schizophrenia is a thought disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior.
2. Major depressive disorder is a mood disorder characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest, low energy, poor concentration, and sleep and appetite disturbances.
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to danger, an automatic alarm that goes off when you feel threatened, under pressure, or are facing a stressful situation. There are many types of anxiety disorders like panic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Panic disorder is a severe anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent panic attacks and the constant fear of having the next attack.
3. Panic attacks are discrete periods of sudden onset of intense apprehension, fearfulness, or terror, often associated with feelings of impending doom
4. Post-traumatic stress disorder is when a person experiences flashbacks, nightmares, hyper-vigilance and avoidance symptoms after exposure to a life-threatening event such as a typhoon, car accidents or war.
5. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder in which depression alternatives with mania
6. Drug addiction is a state of heavy dependence on a drug. It is a condition characterized by an overwhelming desire to continue taking a drug to which one has become habituated through repeated consumption because it produces a particular effect, usually an alteration of mental status. (Free Dictionary)
7. Sleep disorders, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) website, are problems with sleeping, including falling asleep or staying asleep at the wrong times, too much sleep or abnormal behaviors during sleep.
Insomnia is one of the most common kinds. It is the inability to get the amount of sleep one needs to wake up feeling rested and refreshed.
The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) has been serving Negros Occidental for 39 years. A psychiatrist volunteers once a week in PMHA for consultation. PMHA also has a project with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) through the Mental Health Unit entitled “Bringing Mental Health Services to the Community” where we bring a team for a Psychiatric Mission in the different district hospitals in Negros Occidental.
If you wish to avail of our services, contact us at 433-8868.