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| Credit: Morguefile |
Professor Barbara Sahakian says it’s time to put the same
focus on mental health as we do on physical health. Sahakian who is an expert
on cognitive enhancers says mental health is just as important as physical
health. We all know the importance of exercise and diet, but there isn't the same emphasis on staying mentally fit.
Brain issues are a leading cause of disability, but Sahakian
says mental health is something we take for
granted.
"Just as joggers check their pulse rate, we should
encourage individuals to regularly keep an eye on the state of their mental
health. Often people wait too long to seek help, making their condition more
difficult to treat.”
To help improve mental health she recommends innovation and technology.
“Innovation which promotes enjoyable cognitive training for example through the
use of games on iPads and mobile phone apps will be of great benefit to healthy
people and those with mental health problems alike”
She also says it’s essential for technology that can identify
brain problems and monitor mental health problems so treatment can be started
early. Shifting the way society views emotional health could lead to
prevention.
Sahakian
whose research at University of Cambridge, UK is focused on finding treatments
for memory loss and behavioral and psychological dysfunction is presenting her
findings at the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAA) meeting, 2013.
Statistics included in her findings include:
- Just forty percent of people with dementia are aware they have it
- High cost of disability from mental health issues in the UK
- Cost effectiveness of early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
"We need to educate the public about what to look for and make
them aware of the importance of early detection and intervention” of mental
health problems, Sahakian said in a press release. The challenge is to promote mental health with the same vigor as physical health.
Source:
February 17, 2013
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