If you or anyone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek help immediately. Call 911 or call or text 988. The 988 Lifeline is a free, confidential resource for people who need help.
Just like we need to take care of our bodies to stay healthy, it’s just as important to be mindful of our mental health and wellness.
It is not uncommon to be affected by a mental health concern; in fact, one in five Americans have some type of mental health condition at any given time. One in 20 suffers from a serious mental health disorder.
“It’s important we pay attention to our mental health,” explains Dr. Laura A. Baker, a family medicine physician in Fort Worth. “Everyone experiences feelings of stress or sadness at times, which is perfectly normal. When those feelings become severe or persistent, that’s a sign to get help.”
Destigmatizing Mental Health Challenges
One of the biggest obstacles in treating mental health concerns is reminding people that it is perfectly normal to experience a mental health challenge, just like it is to have a physical illness or injury.
For too long, mental health issues have been stigmatized in some quarters, resulting in people keeping their or their family members’ mental health needs under wraps. More often than not, this leads to people not seeking treatment and not talking to others when they need help. This only makes the problem worse.
Until recently, insurance companies treated mental health differently, also. It could be hard to get coverage for a visit with a mental health care provider. This has improved in recent years, but there is still more work to be done in this regard.
“We wouldn’t think less of someone because they have heart disease or cancer, and we should never look down on someone who is dealing with a mental health challenge,” adds Dr. Baker. “Just like things go wrong with our bodies sometimes, they can go wrong with our brains and emotions – when either one happens, it’s time to get professional help.”
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is a broad term that “includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
It is established that mental health has a direct impact on physical health, and vice versa. A mental health challenge can contribute to chronic physical conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Conversely, a serious illness or injury can lead to a mental health problem; for example, a cancer diagnosis leading to depression.
Importantly, mental health is not only the absence of a specific mental health condition – it refers to the affirmative well-being and ability to thrive. Concepts such as happiness, being well-adjusted and managing stress well are all characteristics of good mental health.
“Your primary care provider wants to know how you feel – both physically and mentally. If you are experiencing sadness, depression, loneliness or anxiety, we want to know so we can help you feel better,” explains Dr. Ted Fogwell, an OB/GYN in Dallas. “Your PCP is the first place to turn for both your physical and mental health care.”
Mental Illness
The terms “poor mental health” and “mental illness” are often used interchangeably, but this is not accurate.
Mental illnesses are specific conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior. These are conditions that must be diagnosed and treated by a professional health care provider.
Mental illness is common: more than one-half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lives. One in five Americans will experience a mental illness each year, including children.
Fortunately, mental illnesses can be successfully treated. Therapy, counseling and prescription medication can all help defeat a mental illness.
There are many types of mental illnesses. Some of the more common ones you may hear about include:
Anxiety disorders
People who suffer from an anxiety disorder are confronted with feelings of dread, fear and terror in certain situations. Occasional feelings of anxiety are normal, but a constant or frequent state of feeling this way is a sign to seek help.
Depression
Depression is characterized by recurring feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It may lead to being withdrawn and a sense of worthlessness. While it is perfectly normal for everyone to feel sad or worried occasionally, a continuous state of such feelings is unhealthy and requires treatment.
Schizophrenia
A serious illness, schizophrenia is characterized by delusions, hallucinations and unusual behavior. People with schizophrenia are often paranoid and believe someone is trying to harm them or control them. This condition requires lifelong treatment to manage effectively.
Eating disorders
A person can develop an eating disorder at various stages of life, though they most frequently manifest in the teenage years and early adulthood. Eating disorders can affect men but are more common in women and girls. The three most common eating disorders are:
- Anorexia nervosa, when people deny themselves food;
- Bulimia nervosa, when people eat large quantities of food and then purge it through forced vomiting or the use of laxatives; and
- Binge-eating disorder, when people compulsively eat too much food.
Bipolar disorder
People with bipolar disorder experience dramatic mood changes, ranging from extreme highs (mania) to lows (depression). This condition requires lifelong treatment and can be managed effectively with therapy and medication.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is caused by witnessing or being part of unusually disturbing or frightening events. Post traumatic stress is often associated with military veterans who have witnessed the horrors of combat or suffered wounds themselves.
The condition is also common in professions that must confront disturbing events, such as law enforcement, firefighting and nursing. However, PTSD can affect anyone: surviving a bad car crash or being a victim of violent crime can trigger the condition.
Possible Symptoms of a Mental Illness
Signs and symptoms of a mental illness vary by condition and present differently in different people. Several symptoms are normal for anyone to experience occasionally (such as sadness), but if they persist for an extended period of time, that’s a sign to seek help:
- Feeling sad, down, despondent
- Feeling confused or unable to concentrate
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Accelerating use of alcohol or drugs
- Difficulty dealing with normal levels of stress
- Consumed by feelings of worry, guilt or despair
- Extreme mood swings
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Excessive anger
- Major changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Sometimes, people recognize these signs in themselves and seek help. Other times, it takes an observant family member or friend to spot these warnings and encourage the person to get treatment. The support and understanding of loves ones are vital components to managing and overcoming a mental illness.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek help immediately. Call 911 or call or text 988. The 988 Lifeline is a free, confidential resource for people who need help.
Stress
Stress is not a mental health disorder; it is a term that incorporates how the body and mind respond to difficult situations.
Sometimes, stress is a good thing: it can prepare our bodies to deal with a dangerous situation by helping us flee or fight. This kind of stress is characterized by physiological reactions such as quickened pulse, accelerated breathing and perspiration.
“Most stress is routine, such as you might experience when trying to meet a work deadline or run all of your errands on time,” explains Dr. Dr. Baker. “Stress becomes a problem when it is chronic.”
When people feel continuously stressed out, their mental and physical health may be damaged. Chronic stress can contribute to depression and anxiety. It can take a physical toll on the body, leading to digestive problems, high blood pressure and lack of sleep. Excessive stress can also lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as neglecting exercise, overeating and drinking too much alcohol.
Taking Care of Yourself – In Mind and Body
“Good health habits, such as a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep and regular exercise pay dividends for our mental health,” says Dr. Fogwell. “It’s also beneficial to reflect on what makes you feel at peace and at ease.”
Think about the things that make you feel good – and then be intentional about incorporating them into your life. Different people have different mental health boosters, so don’t worry if these don’t apply to you. Just make sure you know what yours are – and do them!
- Exercise
- Reading
- Listening to music
- Seeing a movie or watching a TV show
- Cooking
- Playing a sport
- Gardening
- Spending time with family
- Getting together with friends
- Clearing through your to-do list so you have a feeling of satisfaction
- Going for a walk
- Spending time outdoors
Once you know what makes you feel good mentally, you’ll have a good home base to return to. So, when you start feeling stressed out, anxious or worried, you’ll know what you can do to help you feel grounded and at ease again.
And if you experience negative feelings or behaviors that won’t go away – or get worse – the right thing to do is to get help, and there is never any shame in that. Start with a call to your primary care provider – he or she is there to get you the help you need.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek help immediately. Call 911 or call or text 988. The 988 Lifeline is a free, confidential resource for people who need help.
This article has been reviewed and approved by a panel of Privia Medical Group North Texas physicians.
This article contains information sourced from:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
