When it comes to understand mental health and brain disorders, there’s a lot we don’t know. Medical professionals have come a long way towards identifying certain diseases and creating treatments, but dealing with the human mind is still an area where plenty is unknown.
Studies show that 450 million people worldwide may suffer from some mental health disorder. This number may sound surprising to some, but in reality, we often don’t talk about illness of the mind. While it’s common practice to discuss problems such as a back injury or even cancer, mental illness is still somehow considered “taboo”.
Experts like Dr. Amen of Amen Clinics are constantly searching for more information. With new technology like SPECT imaging, we are getting closer to fully understanding the intricacies of brain activity.
Suicide is sadly all too common for those who suffer from mental health disorders like Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder. Research shows that 1 in 10 schizophrenics will die by their own hand and 1 in 5 bipolar patients. It’s heartbreaking to think that, despite all the advances in modern medicine, we haven’t yet figured out a way to save these lives.
A full understanding of the human brain won’t magically appear overnight, but luckily, the research continues to reveal new information and as a society we are becoming more accepting of certain conditions. Learn more about global mental health in the infographic below and make a point to treat those with mental illness the same way you’d treat anybody else.
Source: New Internationalist