People must understand the seriousness of mental illnesses and the threats it poses. However, people don’t seem to be conscious of this matter as a study by the World Health Organization, or WHO, found that around 30-80% of our population struggling with mental health issues don’t seek medical treatment that they need. Why don’t people seek necessary medical attention? What is the reason behind it?
Why don’t people seek medical attention?
According to a Times of India article, there are a couple of different answers to this question. The first and the most common reason is that “they feel a sense of shame in being mentally unfit.” This is followed by numerous other causes such as lack of knowledge, support, trust,
resources, and a sense of inadequacy. In fact, the unavailability of experts and medical awareness causes the situation of the sufferers to worsen.
How to know if you are ill?
A mental illness can affect your daily life greatly, whether it be in school or at the workplace. It can cause new problems to arise and also affect your relationships miserably. Therefore, it is necessary to keep track of your mental health.
A few signs and symptoms are feeling sad or down, excessive tiredness, paranoia or hallucinations, stress, etc. However, physical health problems such as stomach pain, back pain, and headaches may also be symptoms of mental illnesses.
What to do after?
By now you must’ve understood that seeking medical treatment is essential. When you realize that you are experiencing such symptoms, you should take the help of an expert as, in most cases, symptoms can be managed with the assistance of medications and psychotherapy.
It is crucial to keep in mind that no one is perfect. One must not feel shameful to need assistance. In such circumstances, it is better to ask for help rather than avoid the problem. Never be afraid or ashamed to seek help. By taking the first step to seek the help you need, you in turn help yourself, and help others in seeking their treatment by owing to the destigmatizing and the process of normalizing mental health and its treatment.
