Mental Health

We all face challenges and struggles that can impact our mental health
Psychologists can help you understand and overcome such challenges

The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Furthermore, WHO focuses on how one expresses their abilities, handles daily stress, and works in a productive way to contribute to one’s community.

We all face challenges and struggles that can impact our mental health in our daily life. Such struggles may appear via different symptoms and various severities. Psychologists can help you understand and face such challenges and states, with the intent of improving your well-being.
Below, you can find some information on different mental health issues.

Anxiety
Anxious people generally have intrusive worries or thoughts

Experiencing anxiety is a normal part of life. Students may feel anxious about having to take exams or preparing an important presentation but, once those events are over, anxiety tends to go away. Nonetheless, some people find it harder to control such constant feelings and worries, which can affect their mental and physical well-being.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), anxious people usually have recurring and worrying thoughts as well as physical symptoms such as hyperhidrosis, dizziness, tremors or even experiencing rapid heartbeat.

Depression
People dealing with depression feel persistently sad

At some point in their life, people may feel down, sad or depressed. Depression tends to last for weeks or months, rather than just a few days. It can affect us in different ways and cause a wide variety of symptoms: loss of interest in daily tasks that were once important, weight fluctuation, sleep disturbances, lack of energy, demotivation, difficulty focusing, helplessness and sometimes guilt. In some cases, it can lead to suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder creates extreme mood swings, which vary from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression)

Bipolar disorder creates extreme mood swings, which vary from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression).
This disorder is characterised by episodes of mania or depression that last for at least a week. When going through mania, people may feel euphoria, very energetic or even invincible, and whilst going through depression, feelings of low energy, sadness and pessimism are more common.

Depression and Bipolar Disorder Support Association: https://www.adeb.pt/.

Eating disorders
Eating disorders relate with a person´s attitude towards food. It can involve eating too much or too little, or having obsessive thoughts about the way a person looks

There are different eating disorders, but they all relate to how a person looks at food and the impact it has on one’s behaviours, thoughts and emotions. It can involve eating too much or too little, or even becoming obsessed with body shape or weight.
Click here to book an appointment at Santa Maria, one of Lisbon’s hospitals: https://bit.ly/2RG0NHw

Personality disorder
As humans, our personality is what distinguishes us from others

Personality is the way of thinking, feeling and behaving which is influenced by experiences, environment and inherited characteristics. When one´s personality traits are rigid, persistent, cause pain and trouble relating with situations and people, we are most likely talking about a personality disorder.

Addiction and Substance Misuse
Addictions are not exclusive to substance abuse or misuse

An addiction is a need that influences human behaviour. Its negative impacts can affect us both physically and mentally on the short and long term. Addictions are not exclusive to substance abuse or misuse. One can also express addiction in other ways, such as gambling or by shopping without self-control, etc…

SICAD: http://www.sicad.pt/PT/Cidadao/LinhaVida/O_que_e/Paginas/default.aspx

Self-harm behavior
Self-harm can be caused by various reasons

Some of the reasons why people may have self-harm behaviours include: trying to feel in control or cope with distress (for example: cutting or overmedicating), trying to feel something and relieve tension (even if the feeling is pain), and also as a way of modifying social interactions and context (e.g. as a way of fighting back against being bullied).

Suicidal thoughts
People who experiencing suicidal thoughts may feel anguished and in pain for a long time

People who feel suicidal experience more pain or sadness than they can cope with on a given moment. Suicidal thoughts are usually associated with physical (e.g. chronic pain), psychological/mental problems (e.g. depression) or from going through a situation of distress (e.g. the death of a relative or close friend).

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
ADHD can be identified through symptoms of hyperactivity, a reduced capacity to focus and impulsivity

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder in both children and youth. It can also be found in adults, affecting a higher percentage of men. ADHD can be identified through symptoms of hyperactivity, a reduced capacity to focus and impulsivity.

See more: www.cadin.net

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