Read This: Some Mental Illness Students Battle With

Contrary to the popular belief that c, mental illness cuts across various disorders. Mental health comprises both mental well-being and the absence of mental illness. Mental Health issues completely vary in symptoms and severity. These issues possess the potentials of negatively affecting all aspects of life, cutting across the Academic through Social and even Emotional arms of living. The following are some rampant mental health challenges University students face:

• Anxiety:

Many mistake this for fear. However, it is a feeling of uneasiness and worry usually as an overreaction to a situation. It is an unpleasant feeling of terror or dread over anticipated events. Anxiety can be appropriate but can lead to Anxiety disorder when experienced regularly. There are various types of anxiety; existential anxiety or nihilistic feelings, mathematical anxiety, social anxiety, stage fright, stranger anxiety, test anxiety ( students can relate to that – sometimes impromptu tests), and others. At times when Anxiety slowly develops, taking deep breathes could help as well as counting to 10 slowly, taking ones time also. Sometimes anxiety could come from examination; being worried about failing or that you are not prepared enough. A way to conquer this is through effective preparation and time management. You should also read how to prepare for any examination

• Panic Attacks:

It is the sudden outset of fear or discomfort that escalades within minutes. Its symptoms are; palpitation (pounding of heart or accelerated heart rate), sweating, shaking or trembling, chest pain and some others. It should be noted that a pain attack can occur only if the four of these happen simultaneously or at once. It can be taken care of by slow, controlled breathes.

• Depression:

It has been recognized to be responsible for lack of interest in daily activities as it is characterized by persistently depressed mood. It takes about two weeks for a diagnosis of Depression. It is the most common illness that occurs among university students which negatively affects the way they feel, think and how they act. However, all hope is not lost as sessions of Therapy could help burst forth from this Social Life drainer.

• Eating disorders:

You might be asking what this has to do with Mental Health. This is what; Eating disorders are usually serious and often fatal illness that causes disturbances in the eating habits of a person. Eating disturbances may include inadequate or excessive food intake which can ultimately cause harm to an individual’s well-being. The most common forms of this disorder include; Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge eating disorder (BED) that affects both males and females. Therapy, as well as Medical care monitoring, could aid in the combat of this illness.

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

Many of us are already familiar with this. Alas, most of us have also found ourselves pointing at cleanliness obsession to be the only CD related illness. Well, sorry to disappoint you, there is more. OCD is an anxiety disorder in which people have recurrent, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsession) that make them feel driven to do things repetitively (compulsion). These behaviours could be hand wash, dish wash, checking on things, arranging of things and mental compulsion (some people pray or say some phrases to reduce anxiety). One of the steps to fighting this “rituals”, which happens to be the first, is not denying one’s fears.

So, in the midst of endeavours as students, bringing to cognizance these illness is a step to redeeming ourselves from them. It is also pertinent to know that understanding them could help improve ways of living.

Think about it.