What is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects the way we think, feel and act when we face life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Mental health is important in all stages of life, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood and old age.
What are mental illnesses?
Mental illnesses are serious conditions that can affect the way you think, your mood, and your behavior. They can be occasional or long-lasting. They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day. Mental problems are common, more than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some point in their life. However, there are treatments available. People with mental health disorders can improve, and many of them make a full recovery.
Why is mental health important?
Mental health is important because it can help you :
- Coping with the stress of life
- Be physically healthy
- Have healthy relationships
- Contribute significantly to your community
- Work productively
- Reach your full potential
Your mental health is also important because it can affect your physical health. For example, mental disorders can increase your risk for physical health problems, such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
What can affect my mental health?
There are many different factors that can affect your mental health, including :
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
- Your lifestyle, such as diet, physical activity, and substance use
You can also change your mental health by taking steps to improve it, such as meditation, relaxation techniques, and being thankful.
Can my mental health change over time?
Over time, your mental health can change. For example, you may be facing a difficult situation, such as trying to control a chronic illness, caring for a sick relative, or having money problems. The situation can exhaust you and overwhelm your ability to deal with it. This can make your mental health worse. On the other hand, receiving therapy can improve it.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
Examples of signs and symptoms include :
- Feeling sad or down
- Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
- Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
- Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
- Withdrawal from friends and activities
- Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
- Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
- Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
- Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
- Problems with alcohol or drug use
- Major changes in eating habits
- Sex drive changes
- Excessive anger, hostility or violence
- Suicidal thinking
Sometimes symptoms of a mental health disorder appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains.
What are the signs of having a mental health problem?
When it comes to your emotions, it can be difficult to know what is normal and what is not. But mental health problems have warning signs, such as :
- Changes in your eating or sleeping habits
- Isolating yourself from the people and activities you enjoy
- Have little or no energy
- Feeling empty or like nothing matters
- Have unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Have severe mood swings that cause problems in your relationships
- Having thoughts and memories that you can't get out of your head
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking about hurting yourself or others
- Not being able to do daily tasks like babysitting or going to work or school
What should I do if I think I have a mental health problem?
If you think you may have a mental health problem, seek help. Talk therapy and / or medications can treat mental disorders. If you don't know where to start, talk to your healthcare professional.
When to see a doctor
If you have any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, see your primary care provider or a mental health professional. Most mental illnesses don't improve on their own, and if untreated, a mental illness may get worse over time and cause serious problems.