Does Being Worried Mean Having Mental Health Issues?

[dave50]

I can understand people having worries about their job and livelihoods during this virus, it's only natural. But does that mean they have mental health issues?

[Bobbisox1]

I think it probably could develop into MHI Dave, the mind is a complex thing

[TrevorThePug]

'Worry' is perhaps a downgrade word, to make something less pertinent or significant.

Anxiety is real and can develop into much bigger issues.

[pastafreak]

I don't think so. Worrying has been part of the human condition forever.

[SparklyKid]

I worry for the younger members of our family.

At 75 I am now a "que sera sera" type of person.

If I Was a lot younger with young children and no work, plus all the bills to pay, I am sure it would have a detrimental effect on my mental state.

[youngmafbog]

Worrying itself does not mean mental health issues. But it is definitely turning that way for a fair number now. The NHS has had a surge of people including CAMHS so its across all ages.

This is what happens if you strike fear via scaremongering into people.

[wolf63]

I think that the more severe mental health conditions come as a result of a chemical imbalance or some other physical cause.

I think that it is normal human nature to worry or be concerned about things happening around us.

It is normal to be depressed after some traumatic happening (death or loss of employment or relationships) but this type of depression (reactive depression) should improve over time.

[TrevorThePug]

Yes for the most part normal, but can easily develop in anyone really.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/

[pixie374]

Worry is a mental health "issue", but not necessarily all illness. It depends how badly it affects you.

[pixie374]

An illness...

[Sqad]

I agree with wolf63 at 13.19,there is a difference between a diseased mental process and a normal emotional response.
Sometimes the difference is clear but in the majority of cases it is blurred.
I don't know the answer, but I am quite clear in my own mind that mental disease is one of the most over diagnosed condition of this generation and the main reason is the use and abuse of antidepressant drugs and anxiolytic agents.

[woofgang]

I think they would have a worse mental health issue if they weren't worried about genuine concerns

[douglas9401]

'Mental health issues' is the new 'traumatised'. Repeated often enough it becomes devalued.

A moderator will be along presently to offer his (mis)take on my post.

[woofgang]

Wolf "I think that the more severe mental health conditions come as a result of a chemical imbalance or some other physical cause.

I think that it is normal human nature to worry or be concerned about things happening around us.

It is normal to be depressed after some traumatic happening (death or loss of employment or relationships) but this type of depression (reactive depression) should improve over time."

Yes from my experience I think this is right.....but I think there is a bit in the middle. Its like badly cutting your finger. Most people in most circumstances will heal over time with a little care. At the other end of the spectrum if you have an impaired healing function then the cut will be much more serious and need more intervention. You may even experience skin breakdown without any triggering injury. In ther middle are people who mostly heal well but who may have problems if they are dealing with other physical issues (eg flu, poor diet) at the same time.......same with mental health.

[Spungle]

I'm worried it does, yes.

[teacake44]

ymb 13.18, What scaremongering you on about?

[barry1010]

There is a big difference between being worried and suffering from crippling anxiety.

[Canary42]

I do think that many people do categorise worry as a mental health issue.

It seems especially common among the younger generation who seem far less stoical than 70 years ago.

The much-mocked stiff upper lip had a lot going for it. But now it seems fashionable to wear your heart on your sleeve, bursting into tears at the least opportunity, blubbering like a baby over trivial mishaps, often on nationwide TV.

[Sqad]

Canary...LOL....I agree.

[Chinajan]

It might be argued that if you are in a worrying situation, then being worried is a sign of 'good' mental health - it's an appropriate response to that situation. Similarly, feeling sad after a tragic event.

When one's emotional responses become disproportionate and/or inappropriate then that [in my opinion] can give cause for concern. But some people are naturally more resilient than others, so who's to say what is appropriate/proportionate in any situation?

[allenlondon]

Dave. As a would-be Buddhist, I always thought I wouldn’t succumb to ‘worry’, but I was kidding myself.

Much as I try to ‘pull myself together’ and face my current situation calmly, I ain’t succeeding.

I think when it’s yourself that’s the worry, it’s easier than when you’re hopelessly worried about another.