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Sam is in a rut. She moved from her hometown of Kampar to Kuala Lumpur shortly after graduation, seeking better opportunities. After hitting the five-year mark at her job as an auditor, she feels like she has hit a dead end. Every day, she feels overwhelmed by the increasing amount of work assigned to her. This causes her to experience intense and crippling moments of fear and anxiety, making it hard for her to concentrate on a task.
Back in the 1900s, only 14% of the world�s population lived in urban areas. Since then, almost all of the labour work in agriculture was made obsolete by the invention of machines. New jobs were created along with the rise of the industrial revolution, providing a stable income and economic growth. As a result, more and more places of living were urbanised, nearly equalising the split of the urban and rural population.
Studies show that city dwellers are more sensitive to stress than rural residents, and are more likely to experience serious mood disorders. Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that affects the way you think and feel, and may affect the way you approach day-to-day activities like work. Almost half of the people who experience symptoms of depression are not diagnosed and are not receiving treatment for it. It is most commonly exhibited by these symptoms:
It is normal to experience moments of anxiety on an occasional basis, especially during moments of distress. Among others, anxiety usually manifests itself in feelings of:
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, experiencing hallucinations, delusions and negative symptoms such as emotional flatness or apathy. Although it is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling and may lead to unwanted thoughts of self-destruction. It is also on the rise in Malaysia, with one out of 100 Malaysians diagnosed with schizophrenia and 2,000 new cases reported yearly.
Does living in the city increase our risk for mental health issues? Dr. Derek Yach of the Vitality Group answers:
Now that we are made aware of the dark side of the happiness pursuit, it is more important more than ever to find light in the journey and take the first step towards being better. Managing your mental health is not just realignment of your thought process alone, it is a wholesome balance involving body and soul wellness too. Here are 10 simple ways to get started on your journey to #BeBetter.
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