Where Behavioral Health Meets Mental Health
Behavioral health is the study of emotions, behaviors and biology that affect a person’s mental well-being. It includes issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, addiction and more.
Behavioral health is essential to our overall health and wellbeing. It also helps to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Mental health
Mental health is a state of wellness that allows people to think, feel, communicate, learn, and interact with others. It is equally important to physical health and can be treated along with diet, exercise, and other healthy habits.
Mental illness is a condition that causes negative changes in how a person feels, thinks, or acts and can interfere with their daily lives. These conditions can be triggered by life events, genetic factors, or biochemical imbalances.
Behavioral health is the study of behavior, including eating and drinking habits, substance use, and other behaviors that affect physical and mental well-being. These behaviors can exacerbate mental health disorders or create a new problem altogether.
Mental illnesses can lead to other comorbidities that complicate treatment and can prevent a person from healing completely. For example, depression can aggravate heart disease and hypertension or complicate post-surgical care. So treating mental illnesses at an early stage is crucial. It can also reduce the risk of other health problems resurfacing later in life.
Substance abuse
Substance abuse is a behavioral health disorder that consists of excessive use of alcohol and drugs. It’s not just a symptom of mental illness; it also affects your cognitive and physical health, as well as relationships and work.
Long-term substance use weakens your brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is involved with planning, attention, and emotional regulation. It also reduces your ability to foresee the consequences of your actions.
People who abuse drugs or alcohol are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as drugging or stealing from family members to purchase the substance they need. They may also be more anxious and prone to mood swings, as their brains are unable to control their emotions properly.
If you’re a parent or family member of someone who is struggling with a substance abuse problem, it’s important to take action. There are many treatment options available, and it’s important to seek help as soon as you notice a change in your loved one’s behavior.
Addictions
Addictions are a disease that can negatively affect an individual’s behavior, health, and relationships. Depending on the type of addiction, it can be treated with one-on-one counseling and therapy, prescription medication, or a combination of these.
Often, addictions are a result of a mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety. In this case, it is important to treat both conditions in a coordinated way.
Psychologists or counselors work to analyze early warning signs of these problems and provide tools to help you avoid them. In addition, they can offer strategies to help you cope with any triggers that may lead to a relapse.
In some cases, addiction can occur as a result of a psychiatric condition such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. In these situations, a rehab center with specialized treatment for both mental health and addiction issues can be helpful. Residential treatment programs are a good option for these types of situations because they provide around-the-clock care and supervision from the treatment team.
Peer support
Peer support is a form of social support that involves people with similar lived experience to those seeking support. It provides emotional support, teaches skills, provides practical assistance and connects people with resources, opportunities and communities of support.
Peers provide mental health and substance use support to those they work with, helping them stay engaged in monitoring their own health and improving outcomes. This approach reduces the use of the most expensive and restrictive levels of care and empowers individuals to be their own advocates.
Peer support can take many forms including group and internet-based peer support. These are often provided by trained peer supporters (eg, peer mentors) or friends and significant others, but can also be offered by peers without training.
