Mental health is an expression used to refer to our cognitive, behavioral, and emotional wellbeing; it affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health can affect daily life, relationships, and even physical health. It also includes a person’s ability to enjoy life; to attain a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience. Mental wellness is generally viewed as a positive attribute, even if the person does not have any diagnosed mental health condition. This definition of mental health highlights emotional well-being, the capacity to live a full and creative life, and the flexibility to deal with life’s inevitable challenges. The term “mental health” is sometimes used to mean an absence of a mental disorder.
A holistic model of mental health generally includes concepts based upon anthropological, educational, psychological, religious and sociological perspectives, as well as theoretical perspectives from personality, social, clinical, health and developmental psychology.
Research shows that high levels of mental health are associated with increased learning, creativity and productivity, more pro-social behavior and positive social relationships, and with improved physical health and life expectancy. In contrast, mental health conditions can cause distress, impact on day-to-day functioning and relationships, and are associated with poor physical health and premature death from suicide.
It is also important to remember that mental health is complex. The fact that someone is not experiencing a mental health condition doesn’t necessarily mean their mental health is flourishing. Likewise, it is possible to be diagnosed with a mental health condition while feeling well in many aspects of life. Ultimately, mental health is about being cognitive, emotionally and socially healthy, and not merely the absence of a mental health condition.
A person struggling with their mental health may experience this because of stress, loneliness, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, the death of a loved one, suicidal thoughts, grief, addiction, various mood disorders, or other mental illnesses of varying degrees, as well as learning disabilities. Therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners or physicians can help manage mental illness with treatments such as therapy, counseling, or medication.
The two most common mental health issues are Anxiety and Depression. Many people with anxiety experience physical symptoms like nausea, shaking, sweating and panic attacks. They often report on struggling to get to sleep or wake up more in the night worrying about things. Or they may clench their jaw or grind their teeth during sleep. People with depression might have lower energy levels and therefore find it more difficult to look after themselves day-to-day. It is a disorder of the brain that goes beyond feeling sad or fatigued for a few days. Many people living with depression find it difficult to wake up in the morning and find themselves sleeping more than usual. There is a close relationship between sleep and mental health, and sleep deprivation can also make ones mental health worse.
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RISK FACTORS
Experts say we all have the potential to develop mental health problems, no matter how old we are, our gender, rich or poor, or which ethnic group we belong to. It is totally normal for most people to experience some form of mental health issues; that is, to go through ups and downs in life. It is only when these difficulties hang around for longer than usual, and it feels like nothing will make them go away that they may be considered a mental illness. A large proportion of the people who have a mental disorder have more than one.
CAUSES OF MENTAL DISORDERS
It is simply not possible to pinpoint the exact cause of any particular mental illness, as mental illness is generally believed to involve a combination of factors that might include some of the following:
- Biological factors: Someone with a history of mental illness in their family has a higher chance of developing mental health issues, which means that genetics most likely plays a role. Hormonal balance is another biological factor that is known to impact on our mental health.
- Early life events: Traumatic events that happen at an early age, such as neglect or abuse, can have a strong influence on our mental health later in life.
- Recent life events: Current events can affect our mental health as well, such as persistent stress from study or work, or the loss of a loved one.
- Psychological factors: Mental illnesses are also influenced by our thoughts and feelings, as opposed to our surroundings and circumstances. Examples of this include our feelings around our body image or low self-esteem.
Misuse of drugs: Drugs, including alcohol, have a powerful effect on our brain and the results are often unpredictable. Heavy drug use is known to have a negative impact on mental health.
EARLY SIGNS
It is not possible to reliably tell whether someone is developing a mental health problem, however, if certain signs appear in a short space of time, it may offer clues:
- Eating too much or too little.
- Feeling as if nothing matters.
- Using drugs more than normal (including alcohol and nicotine).
- Displaying uncharacteristic emotions.
- Confusion.
- Not being able to complete standard tasks, such as getting to work or cooking)
- Persistent thoughts or memories that reappear regularly.
- Thinking of harming one’s self or others.
- Hearing voices.
- Delusions.
- Feeling more worried than usual.
- Loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy.
- Constantly being in a bad mood.
- Having trouble sleeping, or sleeping way more than usual.
- Crying for no apparent reason.
- Feeling ‘down,’ sad or unmotivated.
- Struggling to concentrate.
- Having trouble coping with or participating in everyday activities.
- Isolating yourself from family or friends.
It is worth noting that many of the symptoms associated with mental illnesses can just as easily show up in everyday life, so it is really important to seek advice from a mental health professional before making any conclusions about what is going on. If you experience any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, it does not necessarily mean that there is something serious going on, but it is worth having a chat about it with someone you trust. If you have been experiencing a few of these symptoms over a long period of time, it is a good idea to set up an appointment with your physician to talk it over.
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TREATMENT
There are various ways people with mental health problems might receive treatment. It is important to know that what works for one person may not work for another. Some strategies or treatments are more successful when combined with others. A patient with a chronic mental disorder may choose different options at different stages in their life. The majority of experts say that a well-informed patient is probably the best judge of what treatment suits them best. Treatments can include:
- Psychotherapy (talking therapies): This is a psychological approach to treating mental illness.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Exposure therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are examples.
- Medication: Although it cannot cure mental disorders, some medications can improve symptoms.
- Self-help: Including lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake, sleeping more, and eating well.
HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Although mental health issues are not always avoidable, there are some simple things that you can do to look after your mental health. The following suggestions can be helpful in preventing mental health problems from developing in the first place, or can help you deal with milder symptoms of some mental health issues:
- Do regular exercise – to release endorphins that improve your mood).
- Surround yourself with supportive people.
- Set aside some time every day to relax.
- Make time to do things that you enjoy (such as walking on the beach).
- Stay in touch with your friends and family.
- Take advantage of technology that aims to improve your well being.
- Reach out to an online mental health therapist at www.Gateway2Counseling.com
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Written by Rafweatlh
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