Bikash 20th oct. 2016

Is Urban lifestyle a grooming ground for mental

health related disorders

BIKASH GYAWALI

MPH , B.SC. OPTOMETRY

Urban scenario of India

Over the last two decades, India's urban population

increased from 217 million to 377 million and this is

expected to reach 600 million, or 40 percent of

the population by 2031

India has 17.5% of the world's population, the number of

people suffering with mental illness (WHO, UN Economic and

Social Council– 2014)

Source: UN and The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate

Global burden of Non communicable

diseases

Kill 38 million every year

28 million deaths in low and middle income countries

16 million deaths before 70 years

82 % premature deaths

In India, NCDs contribute to around 5.87 million deaths that

account for 60 % of all deaths (i.e. two-third of the total

deaths due to NCDs in the South-East Asia Region )

SOURCE: WHO | Non communicable diseases, Updated 2015

Almost two-thirds of NCD death are linked by life style

related

Living in an urban environment is associated with an

increased prevalence of specific mental health disorders,

particularly schizophrenia

Present scenario

In the American Psychological Association's Stress in

America Survey, major causes of stress listed included work,

money, and the economy

Stress-related unhealthy habits were also reported, with

many Americans noting they were overeating or eating

unhealthy foods due to stress

Research suggests that the risk of long-term disability

from low back pain can be reduced through early

intervention for depression and stress

Stress and life style problem

Eating and Stress-Weight Gain, Eating Disorders

Diabetes- Stress can exacerbate existing diabetes by

impairing the patient's ability to manage the disease

effectively

Pain- Muscular and Joint Pain, Headaches

Sleep Disturbances

Cont.

Sexual and Reproductive Dysfunction- Sexual Function,

Premenstrual Syndrome, Fertility, Effects on Pregnancy,

Menopause

Memory, Concentration, and Learning- Effect of Acute

Stress on Memory and Concentration

Studies indicate that the immediate effect of acute stress

impairs short-term memory, particularly verbal memory

Cont.

On the plus side, high levels of stress hormones during

short-term stress have been associated with enhanced

memory storage, improved working memory, and greater

concentration on immediate events

Stroke

Prolonged or frequent mental stress causes an increase in

blood pressure, a risk factor for stroke and heart disease

Cont.

Skin Disorders- Stress may worsen numerous skin

conditions, including hives, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea

and

Stress - one of the most common causes of eczema

Unexplained itching may also be caused by stress

Unexplained Hair Loss (Alopecia Areata)- occurs in

localized (individual) patches

Teeth and Gums- increasing the risk for periodontal

disease, which can cause tooth loss and has been linked to

heart disease

Why should stress be designated as a public

health issues

Percentage Increase in Reported Emotional Health Issues

Between 2012-2014Region Depression Stress Anxiety

Asia 73.0% 20.1% 32.1%

EMEA 41.7% 27.1% 84.2% N

America 25.6% . 32.7% 71.2%

Central and South America

55.3% 40.9% 22.9%

The World Health Organization has called stress the “health

epidemic of the 21stcentury.”

Source: The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC(2014)

Why should stress be designated as a public

health issues

Burden of health problem related to stress

i. Heart diseases(High blood pressure, heart problem etc.)

ii. Asthma

iii. Obesity

iv. Diabetes

v. Alzheimer’s disease

vi. Gastrointestinal problems

Stress as Public health Issues

The Depression Research in European Society (DEPRES)

survey, involving 78,463 adults, found a 6-month prevalence

rate of 17% for depressive disorders

The US National Co-morbidity Survey (NCS) found that

17.3% of the general population had experienced an episode

of major depression and 24.5% had suffered from an anxiety

disorder at some time during their lives.

Source: The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Burden of Disease Survey -

2014

Stress in 21st century has arises as the Modern Day Hidden

Epidemic

Cont..

Stress related issues cost US 13% of its GDP each year

In US $49 million annual estimated loss for 10,000

employee company due to stress

Similarly the rate of disability due to stress in US is 50 %

Source: The oxygen plan of US(Theoxygenplan.com)

Treatment

Several strategies have been shown to help reduce stress,

such as exercise, practicing mindfulness-based stress

reduction (meditation and yoga), and engaging in a

cognitive behavioral therapy program

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to

help reduce the stress associated with many chronic

medical conditions, including back pain, arthritis, and

tinnitus (buzzing in the ears)

Given today's technological advances, several pilot

projects are underway to assess the effects of "virtual

healing" using devices such as video game simulators

that might augment traditional stress management

therapies

Mobile based intervention can be an appropriate option

to manage the stress level among the adult population

Source: http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/stress

Thank you