A Basic Guide to Mental Health Care
What is mental health?
Mental health is the mental version of physical health. It’s all about what your body is mentally experiencing and it’s very real. Mental health is really about well-being, although there are several specific mental illnesses and mental disorders that can affect your mental health.
Mental health has to do with social well-being, emotional health, and psychological health. Mental health affects the very nature by which we respond to life. We make choices, deal with stress, and build relationships with other people based on our mental health.
There are a number of problems that can arise based on mental health. Many of these are described as mental illnesses or disorders. Some of these can be genetic but that is not always the case. It is possible to develop mental health problems from life experiences or even from a family history of struggles.
The good news is that there are resources and support for mental health all over. Resources are becoming more readily available.
Can you prevent mental health problems?
Mental health problems cannot always be prevented. While you can familiarize yourself with potential problems and be proactive about your mental health, you can not necessarily prevent it. Sometimes even being as proactive as possible will not stop a mental health problem from occurring.
However, you can familiarize yourself with the signs and then take the steps to help yourself when your mental health is not at its best.
Here are some steps to help.
- Learn your signals to determine what it is that triggers your issues. Work with a professional to figure these out and learn how to react. Tell someone when you notice warning signs
- Try to be proactive to take care of your mental health. This includes maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle, following a routine the best that you can, and making sure you are getting quality sleep the majority of the time.
- Routine medical care makes a difference as well. Attend your regular appointments, including routine checkups and visits designed to track your health and address issues.
- Don’t hesitate to seek help when you know you’re struggling. It’s ok to say you are not ok. There are professionals and resources designed to help you. Consider long-term treatments as well.
Are there cures for mental health problems?
What are the 4 types of mental health conditions?
There are 4 main types of mental health disorders. Each type of disorder also has additional categories that might be covered.
The 4 types of mental health disorders include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and ADHD.
Anxiety disorders and mood disorders have a large list of things that fall under them. For example, depression and bipolar disorders are both types of mood disorders. Phobias, PTSD, panic, and general anxiety are all types of anxiety disorders.
What are the 5 signs of mental health concerns?
When it comes to recognizing mental illness for yourself or for a loved one, there are certain signs that you can look for. Knowing various signs that might lead you to recognize a potential disorder offers the opportunity to seek treatment and get the help that is most likely much-needed.
Here is a brief overview of those signs:
- Noticeable changes in sleeping and eating patterns
- Becoming socially withdrawn
- Mood changes that tend to be extreme
- Bouts of sadness or grumpiness that tend to be extended in length
- Anxiety, paranoia, and worry at excessive levels
What factors affect mental health?
What are the 7 most common mental disorders?
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- OCD – obsessive compulsive disorder
- PTSD – post traumatic stress disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Personality disorder
When should I seek help for my mental health?
How can a mental health professional help?
Mental health professionals are trained to help. There are several different types of professionals and how they can help differs. There are life coaches, who are certified to work through various issues with you and simply coach you through techniques that you can use to cope or improve on self. They are not doctors and cannot diagnose or treat a specific disorder but they can be helpful in some cases.
Therapists and counsellors are licensed and educated to diagnose and work through a variety of mental disorders. The treatment itself will vary depending on the professional and your needs. Most of them will try to work through coping mechanisms and provide you with tips and insight to handle your challenges. Psychiatrists have the ability to treat with medication when it is necessary.
All of these professionals are trained to work with mental health. Every professional takes a different approach so it’s important to find the best fit for your needs.
What do I do if the support I seek doesn’t help?
What do I do if I'm worried about my mental health?
Recognizing that your mental health might be struggling is perhaps the hardest part. Many people are not willing to admit they have mental health struggles or simply have no idea what to do when they face these challenges.
If you are facing a mental health struggle of any kind, just remember that you are not alone. There are people just like you who struggle with mental health every single day. When you recognize or have concerns about mental health, this is when you take action.
Of course, there are minor things that you can do for yourself but you can also dip into local resources designed to help you. Here are some great ideas.
- Find group services to get involved with
- Do things to care for yourself
- Be proactive with a healthy lifestyle
- Avoid substances like drugs and alcohol that can make matters worse
- Seek the help of professional services
- Find ways to encourage yourself, whether with books, yoga, or something else
