“Having a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body.”

What is mental health?

Mental health is a state of mental well-being, it is all about how people think, feel, and behave. Mental health can affect our daily routine, relationships with others, and also on our physical health. It further includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

Mental health enables people to handle stressful conditions of life, learn and work well and contribute to their community. It is important at every stage of life, from childhood through adulthood.

Mental illness:

A mental illness is a mental health condition that gets in the way of thinking, relating to others, and routine work. Mental health specialists have identified and defined several mental illnesses such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and many more.

Mental illness is an equal opportunity matter. It can affect young and old ones, male and female, and individuals of every race, ethnic background, at any educational level and income level.

Symptoms/ Early Warning Signs:

Mental illness symptoms can affect our emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Some of the common symptoms of a mental illness are:

• feeling down

• extreme mood swings

• withdrawal from family, friends, or activities

• low energy

• often feeling angry or anxious

• feeling paranoid or having extreme hallucinations

• inability to concentrate

• Excessive fears or feelings of guilt

• inappropriate sleeping pattern

• changes in eating habits

• Suicidal thoughts

Sometimes, in some people, symptoms of a mental illness first appear as physical problems such as stomach aches, back pain, or loss of appetite and sleep.

 

What causes mental health problems?

There are many things that can cause mental health problems in a person. Sometimes it might be a few different things that have built up, such as:

• problems at home, school or in personal relationships

• big dramatic changes in your life

• being discriminated because of your sexuality or beliefs

• pressure from society to achieve big

• feeling lonely

• being bullied

• being abused

• low self confidence

• losing someone close to you
  
  

Diagnosis:

Diagnosing a mental health problem requires a multi-step process. A doctor may begin by looking at a person’s medical history and performing a thorough physical exam to rule out any physical conditions or issues that may be causing the symptoms. No medical tests can diagnose mental health problems.

They will also do a psychological evaluation to check your mental health status. Sometimes, the doctor may ask you to fill out mental health questionnaires to get an idea about your thoughts, feelings, and behavioural patterns. They might ask you about:

• the kind of feelings, thoughts and behaviours you’re experiencing

• any major problems you’re having at home, school or work

• Your physical health – any changes to your sleep, eating patterns.

Some mental health problems are easily identified than others. For example, if you’re experiencing any anxiety or severe depression, your doctor might be able to give you a diagnosis after a couple of appointments. For other complicated mental health problems, it can take a while to get a diagnosis.

Treatment:

Mental health problems are common but the good news is help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and recover by the time.

There are various methods to cope with mental health problems. Treatment is highly individual, means that one treatment which works for one person may not work for another. The individual needs to work closely with a health professional or a doctor who can help them identify their needs and provide suitable treatment according to them.

There are lots of different types of treatment and support for mental health problems, such as:

Psychotherapy, or talking therapies:

This type of treatment takes a psychological approach for treating mental disorders. Talking therapies – where you can talk through your thoughts, feelings and experiences with a trained professional or a psychiatrist. Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are some of the examples.

 

Medication:

Mental illnesses can also be controlled by certain medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytic drugs.

Although these medications cannot cure mental disorders completely, but they can improve symptoms and help a person to continue his social interactions and a routine while working on their mental health.

Some of these medications also boost the body’s absorption of feel-good chemicals, such as serotonin, from the brain. While other medications either boost up the energy levels of these chemicals or stop their degradation.

Self-help:

• A person coping with mental health difficulties may need to change their lifestyle to facilitate wellness and good health.

• Such changes can be done by reducing alcohol intake, sleeping more, and eating a balanced, nutritious diet.

• People may need to take a little time away from their work and give a break to their hectic routine.

• They should focus on their personal issues with their close relationships that may be causing damage to their mental health.

• People with conditions such as anxiety or depression may benefit from relaxation techniques, which include deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness.

• Having a support network, whether via self-help groups or close friends and family, can also speed up the recovery process of mental illness.

• Creative therapies can also do wonders such as, be using arts (music, drawing, painting, dancing, drama) or playing games to express your thoughts and feelings. You can also do this with a trained therapist in a safe environment.

• Creative activities helps to improve your wellbeing and boost your self-confidence.

Bottom line

It’s true that mental health problems can affect different parts of your life. But, you can manage your symptoms by trying to point out what makes your mental health worse, so you can take steps to change these things.

You can also do things that make you feel good about yourself and makes your mental health stable such as, meeting with a friend or playing specific sport.

In short, good mental health can help you to think straight, feel confident. It is possible to get better and recovered from a mental health problem, and lots of people do. When you’ve found the right combination of self-care, treatment and firm support that works for you, it is likely you will be able to lead a happy and fulfilled life.