Table of contents:
- Mental health is often underestimated
- Most people with mental disorders do not get their condition checked
- There is a danger if mental disorders are ignored
- 1. ODGJ's condition is getting worse
- 2. Damaging the cognitive function of the brain
- 3. Quality of life and personal relationships are impaired
- 4. Death
Recently, the issue of mental health disorders (mental disorders) has been widely discussed in the community. Of course you are familiar with the term mental disorder. According to data from Basic Health Research (RISKESDAS), the prevalence of mental emotional disorders characterized by anxiety and depression in Indonesia is 14 million people. Ironically, people with mental disorders (called ODGJ) receive inappropriate treatment such as shackling and confinement. One of the causes of this situation is the lack of knowledge and a persistent stigma. So what should be done when someone has a mental disorder? Must be treated immediately or actually can heal itself?
Mental health is often underestimated
Insane or mental illness is the term most often used by laymen for those who have mental disorders. In fact, mental disorders or mental disorders do not know the term mental illness or crazy.
The concept of mental disorders according to the Guidelines for the Classification and Diagnosis of Mental Disorders in Indonesia (PPDGJ) is a syndrome or behavior pattern that is clinically meaningful, related to disability in one or more important functions of humans. In short, the concept of mental disorders is having meaningful clinical symptoms, causing suffering, and disability in daily activities.
There are various groups of mental disorders and each treatment is different. However, many people do not care about mental health and they do not know the dangers that threaten the future.
Most people with mental disorders do not get their condition checked
Mental health is often neglected. This happens not only in the community, but sometimes by health workers. According to the Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS), nearly 50 percent of health workers ignore mental health.
Stigma is the biggest barrier today. Assumptions and words such as mental disorders do not have to be examined by a doctor, they can heal by themselves, and ODGJ is dangerous and can make people reluctant to seek treatment.
Another case in people with anosognosia, which is a condition in which a person shows clear signs of mental disorders, but does not realize it because of a lack of understanding of themselves. People with mental disorders cannot know their condition accurately and this anosognosia is 50 percent reported in people with schizophrenia or other chronic mental disorders.
Other factors include fear of drug side effects, worry about the results of the diagnosis, and feel it is a waste of time and money. Some people also mistakenly think that mental disorders are caused by a lack of faith. In fact, mental disorders are caused by disturbances in the balance of chemical substances (neurotransmitters) or damage to a person's brain cells and nerves.
There is a danger if mental disorders are ignored
There are several things that can happen if you don't treat mental disorders right away.
1. ODGJ's condition is getting worse
Mental disorders cannot heal on their own, so it is still necessary to go to a medical professional (psychiatrist, also known as a psychiatrist) for further examination.
If not checked, the symptoms experienced by ODGJ can get worse, even worse than before. For example, you may become increasingly unable to leave the house due to depression and hopelessness, why go to the office if you don't feel like your job is being appreciated.
2. Damaging the cognitive function of the brain
If a mental illness strikes you, it can affect your performance at school or your ability to study anything. This is because mental disorders are problems related to the normal functioning of the brain, namely processing information, storing information (memory), thinking logically, and making decisions.
In fact, not a few children and adolescents are forced to drop out from school because of serious mental problems that were not handled properly.
3. Quality of life and personal relationships are impaired
Mental disorders can worsen a person's quality of life. Easy things like getting out of bed, working, and socializing can turn out to be difficult things to do. Problems ranging from financial, personal relationships, social, to physical health problems can arise.
4. Death
No healthy person wants to commit suicide. Unfortunately, mental disorders can make a person lose the ability to think rationally and adapt to their environment. Because of this, people who have suicidal tendencies can see no other way out but to end their life.
This mistaken thinking is completely preventable! The trick is to get checked out or someone closest to you who is suffering from depression or shows symptoms of suicidal thoughts.
