When two people get married they both take vows to be beside each other during all ups and downs of their life; it stands true for not only physical sickness but also mental health. Mental health is a very fragile yet very important topic. Mental illness is somewhere more important to be dealt with. At times people start associating it with being metally retartded, but there is a huge difference to it.
And at times people just tag it as mood swings, or maybe even attitude problems, and would even start nagging them because of that. Which would make it even worse. So here in this article there is everything listed about mental health that one should know.
Everyone feels worried or anxious or down from time to time. But relatively few people develop a mental illness. What's the difference? A mental illness is a mental health condition that gets in the way of thinking, relating to others, and day-to-day function.
Dozens of mental illnesses have been identified and defined. They include depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and many more.
Mental illness is an equal opportunity issue. It affects young and old, male and female, and individuals of every race, ethnic background, education level, and income level. The good news is that it can often be treated.
Signs and symptoms of mental illness depend in part on the illness. Common symptoms include; feeling down for a while, extreme swings in mood, withdrawing from family, friends, or activities, low energy or problems sleeping, often feeling angry, hostile, or violent, feeling paranoid, hearing voices, or having hallucinations, often thinking about death or suicide.
In some people, symptoms of a mental illness first appear as physical problems such as stomach aches, back pain, or insomnia.
Individuals with a mental illness can often ease their symptoms and feel better by talking with a therapist and following a treatment plan that may or may not include medication
More than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. There is no single cause for mental illness. A number of factors can contribute to risk for mental illness, such as
Early adverse life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc, Experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes, Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain, Use of alcohol or drugs, Having feelings of loneliness or isolation
There are many ways you can cope up with your mental health; there are few tips to up your game of mental health;
You need to value yourself; treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects, or broaden your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language.
Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. Be sure to eat nutritious meals, avoid smoking and vaping, drink plenty of water, exercise which helps decrease depression and anxiety and improve moods. Get enough sleep. Researchers believe that lack of sleep contributes to a high rate of depression in college students.
People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network. Make plans with supportive family members and friends, or seek out activities where you can meet new people, such as a club, class or support group.
Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You'll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need and it's a great way to meet new people.
Like it or not, stress is a part of life. Practice good coping skills: Try One-Minute Stress Strategies, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer. Also, remember to smile and see the humor in life. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress.
Try meditating, Mindfulness and/or prayer. Relaxation exercises and prayer can improve your state of mind and outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel calm and enhance the effects of therapy. Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally and personally, and write down the steps you need to realize your goals. Aim high, but be realistic and don't over-schedule.
You'll enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self-worth as you progress toward your goal. Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can perk up a tedious schedule. Alter your jogging route, plan a road-trip, take a walk in a different park, hang some new pictures or try a new restaurant.
Keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Sometimes people use alcohol and other drugs to "self-medicate" but in reality, alcohol and other drugs only aggravate problems.
Seeking help is a sign of strength not a weakness. And it is important to remember that treatment is effective. People who get appropriate care can recover from mental illness and addiction and lead full, rewarding lives.
Thanks Giving
This article is written and submitted to The E Today by Shrushti Mehta.
We thank her for her research and analysis and hope to see the awareness about health and nutrition being spread ahead to larger mass of our citizens.