Mental health general information | Mental health general information | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Health%20education%20resources%20Header%20Image.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClass15C18EAB81BF4E5FB53C60B5C2B8EDB1"><p>Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are common and affect your quality of life, as well as your family, colleagues, and community.<br></p></div> | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">About</h2></span>
<p>Two common categories of mental health conditions (depressive disorders and anxiety disorders) are prevalent in society. Mental health conditions may show up differently for each person, and can vary in severity. They can be:</p><ul><li>transient e.g. an acute stress disorder<br></li><li>periodic e.g. bipolar disorder, characterised by periods of exaggerated excitement followed by periods of depression, and<br></li><li>long-lasting and progressive e.g. Alzheimer’s disease (major or mild neurocognitive disorders)<br></li></ul><p>The intensity and the length of time they last differ from person to person.</p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Depression</h2></span>
<p>Clinical depression is worse than simple unhappiness. Everyone feels sad at times often after a disappointment, loss of a loved one, a big change in life or employment difficulties. This is a normal reaction and our sad mood usually lifts fairly quickly. </p><p>However, when a low mood is experienced most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks, starts to interfere with daily life, and is accompanied by the symptoms listed below, this may indicate depression. </p><h4> Signs of depression</h4><p>The first signs of depression are often changes in your usual behaviour, and may include:<br></p><div><ul><li>sadness that won’t go away;<br></li><li>crying easily;<br></li><li>sleep problems (sleeping too much or too little);<br></li><li>loss of energy or feeling restless;<br></li><li>feeling too tired to do anything;<br></li><li>less interested in activities you used to enjoy;<br></li><li>decreased sexual drive;<br></li><li>feelings of uselessness, hopelessness and excessive guilt;<br></li><li>preoccupation with failure, inadequacies and a loss of self-esteem;<br></li><li>forgetfulness, trouble concentrating or making decisions;<br></li><li>feelings of guilt and helplessness;<br></li><li>irritability or feeling angry;<br></li><li>thinking of dying or killing yourself; and<br></li><li>change in functioning, such as missing work or school, or not able to function at work or school.<br></li></ul></div>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> A doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist or a clinical social worker must make the diagnosis.<br></p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Anxiety</h2></span>
<p>An anxiety disorder is a group of mental health conditions. If you have an anxiety disorder, you may respond to certain situations with fear and dread, and may experience physical signs of anxiety, such as sweating and a pounding heart. </p><p>It is normal to have some anxiety, but for people with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away. It worsens over time, and the symptoms interfere with daily activities. <br></p><h4>Different anxiety disorders:<br></h4><ul><li>Generalised anxiety disorder (characterised by excessive worry)<br></li><li>Panic disorder (characterised by panic attacks)<br></li><li>Social anxiety disorder (characterised by excessive fear and worry in social situations)<br></li><li>Separation anxiety disorder (characterised by excessive fear or anxiety about separation from the individuals with whom you have a deep emotional connection)<br></li></ul><h4>Generalised anxiety disorder</h4><p>The following symptoms are present for at least six months: </p><ul><li>Feeling restless, wound-up, or on edge<br></li><li>Feeling fatigued</li><li>Having difficulty concentrating<br></li><li>Feeling irritable<br></li><li>Having headaches, muscle aches, stomach aches, or unexplained pains<br></li><li>Difficulty controlling feelings of worry<br></li><li>Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep<br></li></ul><h4>Panic disorder</h4><p> Characterised by frequent and unexpected panic attacks. During a panic attack you may experience:<br></p><div><ul><li>pounding or racing heart;<br></li><li>sweating;<br></li><li>trembling or tingling;<br></li><li>chest pain;<br></li><li>feelings of impending doom; and<br></li><li>feelings of being out of control.<br></li></ul></div><p>People with panic disorder often worry about the next attack, and will try to prevent a future attack by avoiding places, situations or behaviours they associate with the attacks.<br></p><h4>Social anxiety disorder</h4><p> Characterised by an intense persistent fear of being watched and judged by others, that may get in the way of daily activities. You may experience:<br></p><ul><li>blushing, sweating, or trembling;<br></li><li>pounding or racing heart;<br></li><li>stomach aches;<br></li><li>rigid body posture or speaking with an overly soft voice;<br></li><li>difficulty making eye contact or being around people you don’t know; and<br></li><li>feelings of self-consciousness, or fear that people will judge you negatively. <br></li></ul><h4>Phobia related disorders</h4><p> Characterised by an intense fear of specific objects or situations. The fear is out of proportion to the actual danger caused by the situation or object.</p><p>You may:</p><div><ul><li>have an irrational or excessive worry about encountering the feared object or situation;<br></li><li>take active steps to avoid the feared object or situation;<br></li><li>experience immediate intense anxiety upon encountering the feared object or situation; and<br></li><li>endure unavoidable objects and situations with intense anxiety.<br></li></ul></div>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> A doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist or a clinical social worker must make the diagnosis.<br></p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Where to go for help</h2></span>
<p>Staff at
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-city-facilities/our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">our clinics</a> are trained to screen for, and manage, common mental health conditions. More complicated mental health problems will be referred to more appropriate levels of
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Mental%20Health%20Services.pdf" target="_blank">mental health services</a>.<br></p><h4> Services offered<br></h4><p> Healthcare staff at our clinics are trained to assess and manage patients. Clinical psychologists provide mental health services. The Western Cape Government Health offers psychiatry services at<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Mental%20Health%20Services.pdf" target="_blank"> five of our Community Day Centres.</a><br></p><div><p>Your doctor, or nurse, will refer you for psychology or psychiatry services after they have assessed you.</p><p>Treatment may include medication or psychotherapy (talk therapy), or a combination of both. </p><p>The Matrix® substance abuse treatment service offers a walk-in outpatient service at a number of our clinics. Find out more about our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/drug-and-alcohol-abuse/Help-and-treatment-for-your-addiction">Matrix ® substance abuse treatment services</a>.<br></p></div> | | GP0|#62707fbd-6b16-4814-a886-c3341cb8d71c;L0|#062707fbd-6b16-4814-a886-c3341cb8d71c|Mental health general information;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#0bd97441-36e8-4539-8805-34c834946be7;GPP|#090e430c-3809-42d5-a80b-caea93b2beaf;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are common and affect your quality of life, as well as your family, colleagues, and community. | 0 |