Mental Health – What is it and How Can it Get Better?
Mental health is a state of well-being encompassing emotional, psychological and social aspects. It affects thinking, feeling and behavior and determines how an individual handles stress, relationships and decision-making.
Treatment for mental health conditions varies depending on the person and may include medication, therapy or self-help. Recovery is possible for most people who get the right help.
What is mental health?
Mental health is the emotional, psychological and social well-being that comes from having positive thoughts, feelings, actions and relationships. It’s also the ability to cope with life’s ordinary challenges and stresses.
Several factors contribute to good mental health, including biology and environment. Adverse childhood experiences such as child abuse and parental loss, separation or illness are linked to mental health problems later in life.
Treatment for mental disorders may include medication or talk therapy (psychotherapy). Self-care, such as exercise and diet, can help promote overall health and wellbeing.
Depression
Depression is a serious mood disorder that causes sadness and a lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy. It can also affect your thinking, memory and appetite.
There are a number of ways to treat depression. These include psychotherapy (talking therapies), medication and making lifestyle changes.
Some people may need intensive talking therapy and medicine if they have severe depression.
A mental health professional will take a detailed medical history to rule out other causes of your symptoms. They may also do a physical examination and order blood tests to check for other health conditions.
Depression is caused by a series of chemical interactions in the brain that affect your feelings and perceptions. This complex system makes it difficult to treat by simply changing one chemical.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal feeling of dread or worry that may arise when you are about to encounter an unfamiliar situation. It can include a pounding heart, shortness of breath, butterflies in the stomach and trembling.
When it is more than a brief reaction to a stressful event, anxiety can become a disorder and affect your everyday life. It can be a difficult condition to live with, but treatment can make a huge difference in your quality of life.
Treatment can include a variety of methods, including medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both. Stress management and mindfulness are also helpful in reducing anxiety. Self-care is also important: getting enough sleep, eating well and being active help.
Bipolar disorder
Fortunately, many people with bipolar disorder can manage their condition successfully. They do so through treatment that involves long-term medicines, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes.
You may need to try a few different treatments before you find one that works for you. You should also stay on your medication and never stop without your doctor’s guidance.
The best way to start is by asking your GP or a mental health professional for an assessment. This will involve a medical check up and careful assessments of your symptoms and life experiences.
A GP should be able to offer you psychological therapy that is specifically designed for bipolar disorder. This can include individual or group sessions, or family intervention.
Suicide
The tenth leading cause of death in the United States, suicide is a tragedy that affects families and communities. Every suicide is a loss, and the people left behind often struggle with feelings of loss and grief.
Suicide can be caused by many things. These include a mental health disorder, alcohol or drug use problems, long-term pain, and other factors.
Youth are also at risk of suicide. This is because they are going through a lot of changes in their lives and may have other problems, such as depression or anxiety.
Suicide is not a choice and is a serious medical emergency that needs to be taken seriously. Talking to someone, such as a family member, friend or teacher, can help you feel safe and get the help you need.
