One in four people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year.
In Bermuda, more than 9,000 people were estimated to suffer from mental disorders in 2019, according to the Mental Health Situation Analysis Report: Bermuda.
Here is some key information about the most common conditions highlighted in the report from Public Health England and the Pan American Health Organisation:
Anxiety disorders
More than 3,200 people in Bermuda were estimated to have anxiety disorders, meaning they suffer from excessive feelings of fear or anxiety.
It is the most common type of mental disorder and affects nearly one-third of adults at some point in their lives.
Categories include generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias.
People with anxiety disorders can usually lead normal and productive lives, with psychotherapeutic treatments. However, because the condition means you might avoid certain triggers, it can influence your performance at work or school and affect your personal relationships.
If you believe you have an anxiety disorder, see your doctor to check whether it is being caused by a physical problem. If an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, a mental health professional will help you find the best treatment.
Depressive disorders
These affect an estimated 2,200 people in Bermuda.
Depression goes beyond regular mood changes – it involves a loss of pleasure or interest in things for a long period of time. It impacts all aspects of life, including relationships and performance at work or school.
Symptoms include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt, low self-worth or hopelessness, or thoughts about dying or suicide, and low energy.
You can help with better self-care, such as doing activities you enjoy, connecting with people and exercise.
If you believe you have depression, seek advice from a health worker or join a support group.
ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was estimated to affect about 1,000 people in the 2019 Bermuda report, although doctors have said many people may have it without realising.
Symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity; most people show those behaviours at some point, but people with ADHD show them persistently.
People generally cope with ADHD better as they grow older, and improve their attention span with age, but many adults with the condition retain an inner sense of restlessness
Treatment includes psychological therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, social skills training and medication.
Bipolar disorder
About 650 people in Bermuda are estimated to suffer from bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression.
This disorder causes extreme mood swings which can produce emotional highs, when you may feel very excited, or lows, when you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest in activities.
The mood swings can impact your sleep, judgment, behaviour and ability to think clearly.
You can manage your mood swings with a careful treatment plan using medicine and talk therapy.
Eating disorders
These are estimated to affect about 250 people in Bermuda and can affect your ability to function physically, psychologically and socially.
Categories include:
- anorexia – when you self-starve through an intense fear of gaining weight;
- bulimia – when you switch between dieting on low-calorie foods, with binge-eating high-calorie foods. Binges are typically followed by compensatory behaviour such as fasting, vomiting, laxative misuse or compulsive exercise;
- binge-eating – when you consume large quantities of food in a brief period but don’t regularly use compensatory behaviour to get rid of the calories.
Other mental disorders in Bermuda include autism spectrum disorders (about 250 people); conduct disorder (about 250 people); and schizophrenia (about 175 people).
Sources for this article include the Mental Health Situation Analysis Report: Bermuda; American Psychiatric Association; World Health Organisation; National Institute of Mental Health; ADHD UK; Mayo Clinic.
