Understanding mental illness and the importance of swiftly seeking help

ADK Hospital is a sector-defining healthcare provider in the Maldives' capital Malé City. It is a place that can diagnose various mental illnesses, create treatment plans and provide people with the treatments and services they need to address their mental health issues.

The Department of Psychiatry at ADK has a very capable team of care professionals who can diagnose mental illnesses in patients and provide various therapies to help them manage their conditions better.

The Department of Psychiatry at ADK also has the facilities to treat patients in emergency should they be at a point where they are a danger to themselves or those around them as a result of undiagnosed, untreated or poorly managed mental illnesses.

The most common mental health conditions treated at ADK include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders and substance abuse addictions. The Department of Psychiatry at ADK Hospital also treats Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Dr. Amjad Hussain, a psychiatrist at ADK Hospital, says the most important thing to do if you show signs of a mental illness is to go see a doctor as swiftly as possible.

"The conversation around mental illnesses have become so common, people sometimes tend to decide they have a specific illness on their own (self-diagnosis). However, only a doctor can determine what mental health condition a patient might be afflicted by. If you believe you have a mental illness, or have symptoms that are associated with one, it is important to see a doctor immediately," Dr Amjad highlighted.

Dr Amjad said that different mental health conditions materialize as different symptoms. Some common difficulties that might arise in mental illnesses include changes in mood, dysregulated sleeping and eating habits, self-injury and harm to others, and hearing voices that might not be real. The doctor stressed on the importance of seeking medical advice as soon as possible if you suspect you have a mental health condition.

Mental illnesses can be the result of a number of complex internal and external factors at play in relation to each other, and different conditions can cause different problems to the persons afflicted by them.

"There are some mental health conditions caused by biological factors or genetical factors," explained Dr. Amjad. "For example, ADHD is a condition to which biological factors can contribute. Schizophrenia is a condition that can be caused by genetical predispositions. Some mental health conditions are caused by struggles we face in our lives or the environment that we are based in. Things that we experience at different stages in our lives can cause trauma or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and eating disorders."

Dr. Amjad stated that having a mental health condition should not make you feel hopeless about living a fulfilled life. He said that it was possible to have a healthful life if the first step is taken, if patients bring themselves to a consultation and follow the treatment plans created for them by their doctors. Dr. Amjad also noted the importance of leading an active lifestyle and being mindful about what we consume and let into our bodies in order to improve mental health in our daily lives.

"The most important thing is to get treatment," asserted Dr. Amjad. "Parents should come to a doctor immediately if their children begin showing signs of mental illness. Most mental health conditions can be controlled and managed successfully if treatment begins early."

If you or someone you know is struggling with an undiagnosed or unmanaged mental health condition, please do not wait and contact the team at ADK Hospital on 331-3553 to confirm appointments with their team of healthcare professionals.

Note: this article is an advertorial published for ADK Hospital