Agencies
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Agencies | Published : December 9, 2014 3:42 PM IST
New York, Dec 9: What you think about yourself can reveal what mental illness you're suffering from, suggests a paper that appeared in the journal Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. Study researchers from the University of California - Berkeley in the US have revealed the existence of a strong link between feeling of self worth and mental health disorders like bipolar disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, anxiety and depression.
The study, conducted on more than 600 young men and women, analysed participants' perception about themselves and their social status and compared it with their mental health. It was found that those who are likely to get depressed reported a lesser sense of pride in their life and a lesser sense of power. In contrast, those who were at risk for mania reported high levels of pride and an emphasis on the pursuit of power despite interpersonal costs, said senior author Sheri Johnson, a UC psychologist. (Read: Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day to stay mentally healthy)
According to earlier studies, feelings of powerlessness and helplessness have a direct effect on the immune system. It hampers the fighting ability of the immune system, making a person more susceptible to physical and mental ailments. Conversely, an inflated sense of power is among behaviour associated with bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. (Read: Expert diet tips to prevent mental health problems)
The findings make a strong case for assessing traits like 'ruthless ambition', 'discomfort with leadership' and 'hubristic pride' to understand psychopathologies.
Source: IANS
Photo source: Getty images
For more articles on mental health, visit our mental health section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.
