What is mental health?

Mental health is an integral part of our overall wellness. According to WHO (World Health Organization), mental health is defined as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to her or his community.” When you have stable mental health, you feel good about life. As human beings, to reach a state of stability and balance, it’s crucial that we have good mental health. Part of that is awareness, and knowing ourselves. When your mental health is stable, you feel like you can manage the day-to-day life challenges you encounter. One way to maintain your mental health is to have a stable support system, and see a therapist every week. You might have anxious moments, but you can work through them. When your mental health is out of balance, you can suffer from mental health issues or mental illness.

  

Mental illness

According to The National Institute of Mental Health the United States in 2015, it’s estimated that 9.8 million adults over the age of 18 had a severe mental disorder. That breaks down to 4.8 percent of American adults. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. A person of any age, race, gender or religion can have a mental illness in their lifetime. Many disorders are hereditary, and it’s essential to see a mental health professional if you’re having symptoms of a condition that runs in your family.

Half of the mental health conditions start by age 14. 75% of mental health conditions develop by the time a person is 24. It’s difficult to tell if an individual has a mental illness or mental health condition during adolescence because the person is going through a lot of changes, which include mood shifts. If you do develop a mental health condition during the teen years, you increase your chances of recovery when you get treatment during this time.

Mental Illness Isn’t “Bad."

Although “mental illness” might sound like a negative term, it’s a real condition that people manage, and that’s why in the advice section, we want to give you accurate information about what mental illnesses are, and the mental health conditions people manage. We also want to tell you about different behaviors that you might need support with and can work with an online therapist to manage. Many of the categories you see in the advice section will give you expert insight into the various conditions that affect mental health. If you’re coping with these issues, we’re bringing you support. We want to help you live a quality of life that you’re happy with so that you’ll start to feel better about who you are and what you’re doing in your life. Let’s talk about some common mental health issues and mental illnesses.

Signs

There’s no way to tell if a person is developing a mental illness for sure. However, here are some signs that might indicate that an individual is coping with a mental health condition:

Ø  Isolating from people

Ø  Not participating in activities they used to enjoy

Ø  Sleeping too much or not enough

Ø  Overeating or undereating

Ø  Feeling hopeless

Ø  Thoughts of suicide

Ø  Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol)

Ø  Confusion

Ø  Trouble engaging in day-to-day activities such as going to school or work

Ø  Difficulty showering

Ø  Delusions

Ø  Hearing voices

If you are thinking about harming yourself, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms above, and it’s disrupting your ability to function daily, consult a mental health professional. Mental illness is highly treatable with therapy and (if necessary) medication. If someone you love is experiencing these symptoms, you can reach out and get them help.

Treatment

There various treatment options for mental health issues. It’s important to remember that everyone’s mental health journey is different. What works for you might not work for someone else. One of the most commons treatments for mental illness or when someone is struggling with their mental health is psychotherapy.

Therapy

People who live with chronic mental health issues can benefit from therapist. Depending on the individual’s needs, there are many types of therapy to choose from, and it’s important to stay informed about what works best for your particular mental health issue. You can want to work with a therapist in your local area or see an online therapist.

Medication

Some people who have mental illness take psychiatric medication. If you live with a chronic condition such as bipolar disorder, psychotropic medication could drastically improve your quality of life. Consider consulting with a psychiatrist if you’re interested in learning about the benefits of medicine for your mental health. You can read more about psychiatry in the advice section. In medication section of advice, you’ll learn about how medication can support you in your mental health if you need it.  There are some mental illnesses can do well when the individual takes medication and goes to therapy. Psychiatric medication can help people maintain stable mental health.

Self-care

Self-care is a crucial element in maintaining excellent mental health. It’s important to eat regularly, get good sleep each night, and learn to set boundaries with people. You’re allowed to take time for yourself and say no when you can’t commit to a project. It’s essential to have a stable support system of friends and family who love you and care about your wellbeing.

Common mental health problems

When it comes to mental health issues, there are some that are common. Here are some mental health problems that many people manage.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a common form of mental illness. Some include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Millions of people live with anxiety disorders and receive treatment for them in therapy. Sometimes people with anxiety disorders can benefit from psychiatric medication.  You can read more about anxiety disorders in the Anxiety section of advice. Here you’ll learn with coping with being in a state of fight or flight and find ways to deal with being overwhelmed. You can support a loved one who lives with anxiety by reading these articles. Learn about panic attacks and how to calm your body down. You can learn about the fact that anxiety is genuine, and that those with anxiety aren’t exaggerating their symptoms.