Ramsay Newsroom
Ramsay reveals 5 most common mental health disorders during Mental Health Week
October 04, 2019
Ramsay Health Care is encouraging Australians to make mental wellbeing their top priority during Mental Health Week (6 – 12 October), as the hospital operator marks 55 years of providing mental health care in Australia.
45% of Australians aged 16 to 85 will experience a common mental health disorder during their lifetime, which equates to more than 7 million people.
Australia’s largest private provider of acute mental health care, Ramsay Health Care (RHC), has compiled a list of its five most commonly treated mental health disorders, to help raise awareness of the conditions.
| 5 most common mental health disorders: | |
|---|---|
| 1. Mood disorders (45%) | Mood disorders are disturbances of an individual’s emotional state that impacts their everyday activities. Mood disorders include depression and bipolar disorder, characterised by the elevation or lowering of an individual’s mood state. Other symptoms may include low energy, a change in appetite, a sense of hopelessness and low self-esteem. |
| 2. Addictions (25%) | Addictions are the misuse of substances for non-medical purposes and/or compulsive engagement in certain behaviours. The individual is physically and emotionally dependent on these substances or behaviours which may include drugs, alcohol, gambling and/or gaming. |
| 3. Anxiety disorders (15%) | Anxiety disorders can affect the ability to concentrate, sleep and undertake normal activities. Symptoms may include intense fear and persistent and excessive worry that don’t subside. Anxiety is often accompanied by physiological symptoms such as muscular tension and heart palpitations. |
| 4. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (10%) | Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a set of stress reactions in response to experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event such as an attack or assault, wartime conflict, natural disaster or serious accident. Symptoms may include re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance of any reminders, hyper-vigilance and feeling emotionally numb. |
| 5. Psychotic disorders (5%) | Psychosis is characterised by an impaired interpretation of reality. Symptoms and experiences are unique for each individual. However, the two key features that may be associated with a psychotic episode are hallucinations and delusions. |
About 66% of patients treated through RHC facilities or programs are female; 33% are male. Approximately 80% of patients admitted are under 65 years of age.
Ramsay Health Care Mental Health Chair, Kevin Cass-Ryall, said there has been a gradual increase in the number of older people (65+ years) and younger people (16+ years) seeking assistance for a mental health condition.
“There is also a growing trend to deliver mental health treatment through a mixed-model program, such as day programs and community-based services,” Mr Cass-Ryall said.
“We know that patients want more specialised treatment and a more holistic approach to their recovery, along with a care regime that draws on a multidisciplinary team. They are also increasingly looking for ways to receive treatment outside hospital to remove the need for them to stay overnight in a clinic. Ramsay is focusing on expanding in this area as informed by the evidence and best practices, in response to the needs of consumers and their carers.”
RHC has introduced a personalised inpatient therapy program called “My Recovery”, which has an emphasis on recovery planning, resilience building and connectedness. A new app called “MyStayWell”, which allows Ramsay mental health patients to access their personalised strategies after they leave the clinic, is now available on the App Store.
RHC has 23 mental health facilities across Australia with expertise in areas including, but not limited to:
- Mood disorders
- Drug and alcohol dependence
- Postnatal depression
- Eating disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- General mental health disorders
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Veteran mental health
For more information, and a list of useful mental health resources, links and videos, please visit www.ramsayhealth.com.au/Find-a-Service/Mental-Health
Ramsay Health Care aims to provide nationally accessible, consistently excellent standardised mental health services with measurable recovery outcomes for patients and their families.
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