How Mental Health Affects Daily Life
Mental health is your ability to think, feel and react in the way that you need and want. It impacts how you handle stress, interact with others, sleep, focus and make decisions.
Having good mental health is essential for you to live a happy, healthy and productive life. It’s easy to take good care of your mental health by making small changes in your daily routine.
Depression
Depression is a serious mental health disorder that can have a big impact on your day-to-day life. It can lead to difficulty with relationships, work and maintaining good health.
It also can lead to feelings of sadness, emptiness and loss of interest in activities you enjoyed. It can also make it hard to think and remember things or eat well.
The most severe form of depression is clinical depression, or major depressive disorder. It involves feeling sad, worthless or low most days for at least two weeks and includes other symptoms such as sleep problems, change in appetite or lack of energy.
Depression can also be a sign of other mental health issues, so it’s important to see your doctor for a complete evaluation. Talk therapy or antidepressants can often help to reduce your symptoms and restore a normal mood.
Anxiety
Anxiety can affect the way you think, feel and behave. It can make it hard to enjoy life or socialise with friends and family.
It can also cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating or shaking. If you find these are making your life harder, see your GP.
Medications, such as antidepressants, can help. These can be prescribed by your GP or by a mental health specialist.
Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” can help you to understand the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. This can help you to manage your anxiety better.
Early prevention is important. Managing stress and building good relationships can help you avoid developing an anxiety disorder.
Stress
Everyone experiences stress from time to time, but when that stress persists over a long period of time it can take its toll on your health. Chronic stress can affect your immune system, upset the digestive system and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Stress can also make it difficult to relax and sleep. It can cause fatigue, headaches, irritability and problems with your relationships.
Having a good mental health is an important part of your overall well-being. It determines how you react to the challenges of life and whether or not you can maintain healthy relationships.
If you’re feeling stressed, find active ways to relieve the tension. You can exercise to get your blood pumping or try a meditation practice to help you calm down.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders can impact people’s lives in a number of ways. They may lead to depression, anxiety and other mental health problems.
Symptoms of mood disorders affect your thinking, emotions and behaviour. They may also affect your relationships, work and social life.
It’s important to recognize these symptoms and see a healthcare provider if they occur. Getting help early can reduce the disruption to your daily life and improve your quality of life.
There are many causes of mood disorders, including genetics, brain injuries, and stress or trauma. They can also be caused by a medical condition, or by using medications or drugs.
Trauma
Trauma can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms that affect a person’s day-to-day life. Some people experience trauma symptoms that clear up within weeks or months, while others may need help over a longer period of time.
Some people also develop mental health issues after a trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can lead to problems with emotions and behavior that are hard to control.
When something traumatic happens, the brain activates a protective response that sends out hormones and signals to prepare for danger. This is called a “fight or flight” response.
