For some individuals, worry, fear, and unease can occur too frequently and be more intense, persisting daily for weeks or months.
By Dr. Maria Madeline Mallillin
Psychiatrist and Head
Mind Wellness Center – Asian Brain Institute | Asian Hospital and Medical Center
It’s late, and you can’t sleep. You're on edge, worried about failing your big presentation tomorrow, with many “what ifs” running through your mind. Anxiety is a natural response to uncertainty.
You might feel sad about ending a long-term relationship or failing an exam—grieving, but taking things one day at a time. You come to work, meet with friends, and try to enjoy life. Sadness is a normal reaction to losing someone or something significant.
For some individuals, worry, fear, and unease can occur too frequently and be more intense, persisting daily for weeks or months. Others may be consumed by inexplicable sadness for longer than a few weeks. When your work, relationships, and daily functioning are adversely affected, this goes beyond regular anxiety and sadness. The former may indicate an anxiety disorder, while the latter describes a depressive disorder.
Anxiety and depression are the two most common psychiatric conditions in the Philippines. We have seen an increasing number of cases over the past decade, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, there has also been a rise in suicides among children and young adults in our country, making it a national concern. Our mental health significantly affects our overall quality of life, both as individuals and as a nation. Like physical health, mental wellness requires care.
Of Fear, Worry, and Losing Control
If you can’t sleep while worrying that something bad will happen—without a specific reason—and the thought keeps looping in your head, it may be Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This condition occurs when worry becomes excessive and uncontrolled, sometimes hindering daily activities. If your heart races suddenly, you struggle to breathe, feel an impending sense of doom, and lose control even without actual danger, you may be experiencing a panic attack, another type of anxiety disorder.
Other forms of anxiety disorders include social anxiety, phobias, health anxiety, and separation anxiety.
Of Unexplained Excessive Sadness
If you feel sad for more than two weeks, as if you are in a dark place, unable to will yourself out of bed, lacking drive and motivation, struggling with thoughts of giving up on life, unable to concentrate, and neglecting your personal needs, while feeling worthless and hopeless, these are not just ordinary mood fluctuations. You may be experiencing a depressive episode.
Anxiety and depressive disorders can stem from several factors, including genetics (such as having a parent with a mental health problem) or environmental factors (e.g., stressful situations, trauma, and abuse). Underlying medical conditions or the effects of certain medications can also contribute, making assessment and proper diagnosis critical for effective intervention. For example, conditions like mitral valve prolapse or hyperthyroidism, as well as some steroids and anti-asthma medications, can affect heart rate and mental health.
Of Hope and Wellness
If you notice these signs, it’s crucial to recognize and accept that you or your loved ones may not be okay and need help. There is always hope for recovery, and things can indeed get better. Mental health professionals are available to assist you on your healing journey.
At the Mind Wellness Center, we provide comprehensive assessments and holistic interventions to patients needing bio-psycho-social and spiritual care. Our team of mental health professionals spans various specializations, catering to different age groups and conditions to ensure that you receive the necessary support.
Our interventions can include individual or group/family psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma, grief, and play therapies, as well as addiction counseling, among others. For those requiring medications, we offer biomedical interventions. Access to medication is an essential part of the overall treatment process. Our Depot Med Clinic provides long-acting depot medications for patients with medication adherence concerns, ensuring a consistent level of medication in your body for weeks or months affordably and cost-effectively.
To understand your mental health better, reach out to us at 8-771-9000 local 8444, email info@asianhospital.com, or follow us on Facebook.
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