It is well said by Noam Shpancer, a PhD holder, that mental wellness is not a destination but a process, and it’s all about how you drive and where you are going. This defines that mental health is not just a need but plays an integral role in living a healthy and happy life.
But certain life issues and surroundings affect the mental conditions, and you are bound by depression, stress, anxiety, and overthinking. Thus, turning life into stress and letting your loved ones suffer a lot who love and trust you. In this article, we’ll explore common mental health issues, their signs and causes, and when to seek help.
What are Common Mental Illnesses and Disorders?
Mental illness occurs silently; sometimes, you do not understand its root cause. This makes you suffer from mental trauma and many disorders, making your life worthless and stopping you from achieving your life’s goal. Let’s see some of the common signs of mental illness and disorders that an individual goes through.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterized by overthinking, fear, or anxiety that interferes with daily life. Here, signs may include persistent and excessive worry, restlessness, feeling on edge, difficulty concentrating, and sometimes sleep disturbances.
Depression
As you live in a hectic world, depression is a mood disorder that affects mood, motivation, and overall well-being. Here, signs of depression may include persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and fatigue or low energy.
Trauma- and Stress-Related Disorders
Trauma and stress-related disorders that happen after experiencing a traumatic event or prolonged stress let you suffer from flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of triggers or reminders, hypervigilance or exaggerated startle response, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Bipolar Disorder
Like depression, Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that involves periods of mania or hypomania, often alternating with depressive episodes. You may go through continuous mood swings, from extreme highs to lows, increased energy or activity, impulsive behavior, or decreased need for sleep.
Eating Disorders
Everyone says eating more or less is a gut issue, but it’s not like that. You may go through eating disorders, which are mental illnesses that involve unhealthy relationships with food and body image. You may suffer through restrictive eating or bingeing, excessive exercise or purging, body image distortion, or weight fluctuations.
Most Common Causes Of Mental Health Disorders
Mental illness encompasses a wide range of conditions that impact daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. This is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors that can sometimes ruin life and affect mood, thinking, and behavior.
- Biological Factors—Biological factors, such as genetics, brain chemistry, and medical conditions, can contribute to mental health problems.
- Environmental Factors—Environmental factors, such as trauma, stress, and social isolation, can also play a role.
- Lifestyle Factors—Lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and substance abuse, can exacerbate mental health issues.
- Psychological Factors—Psychological factors like coping mechanisms, self-esteem, and thought patterns can influence mental health.
What Research Reveals About Mental Wellness And Problems?
As per the National Institute of Mental Health, young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of AMI (36.2%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (29.4%) and aged 50 and older (13.9%). Thus, signifying mental health issues are a big problem that can cause serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.
When to Seek Help From a Psychiatrist?
Life is full of challenges, and mental illness is part of it. So, if you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s essential to know when to seek help. Let’s understand some signs that indicate it’s time to take mental health treatment and reach out to a mental health professional:
Understand And Recognise The Signs
If you’re experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or other symptoms that interfere with daily life, it’s time to seek help and follow advice to live a better life.
Changes in Mood or Behavior
Mood changes are not common; they indicate mental disorders that aren’t noticed. So, if you notice significant changes in your mood, behavior, or personality, it’s time to get help sooner.
Interfering with Daily Life
You live with a certain routine and perform daily activities along with loving your partner. But if your mental health is affecting your relationships, work, or daily activities, it’s wise to seek professional help.
Suicidal Thoughts
When going through serious mental illness, suicidal thoughts are sure to happen. So, if you’re thinking of self-harm or suicide, you need to immediately seek help from a mental health support team to save your life.
Over To You—Take mental health support For Removing Common Health Problems
Mental illness can affect anyone, be they of any age, background, or situation. Understanding the signs and triggers, and consulting mental health professionals when necessary, one can overcome and lead a fulfilling life. Mental health is important, and it takes strength to seek help, not weakness. If you are having problems with your mental health, don’t be afraid to contact a trusted professional or support network.
For more detailed suggestions on mental conditions and treatment, you can trust The Holding Hands—the best platform to get detailed information.
FAQs
Q1. Is it possible to feel mentally “ok” while still needing help?
Absolutely, yes. It is perfectly okay to feel mentally “okay” and still require assistance. Most individuals suffer from mental health issues even when they look good on the outside. Asking for help is a positive gesture towards enhancing mental wellness, and it is more than acceptable to seek help even when you’re not in trouble.
Q2. How do cultural or family expectations influence mental health?
As you live in a society with an unbounded culture and daily expectations, it affects your mental health if their concerns are not met. They can make you feel like you’re overthinking, give you stress, and lead you to the way of depression.
Q3. Can mental health problems arise even when external life seems stable?
Yes, even when life outside appears stable, you can be tethered with mental illnesses such as anxiety, stress, or overthinking disorders. Genetics, brain chemistry, and personal issues can cause mental health problems even in spite of what is happening outside. Most people have mental health problems despite possessing a stable career, relationships, or economic stability.
Q4. What’s the difference between leaning on friends vs getting professional help?
When experiencing mental illness, you opt for taking assistance from close relatives/friends or seeking mental healthcare experts. Relying on friends gives you emotional support and bonds, and professional assistance provides professional advice, evidence-based interventions, and confidentiality. Friends may provide worthwhile assistance, yet mental health experts have training and expertise in handling intricate matters and delivering personalized assistance.
Q5. How can I tell if the coping methods I use (e.g., avoidance, distraction) are doing harm in the long run?
If your coping strategies consistently result in negative outcomes, exacerbate symptoms, or keep you from tackling root issues, they could be causing more harm than good. If you see patterns of avoidance, heightened anxiety, or feeling stuck, it might be time to reconsider your coping strategies.
Q6. Why do some people relapse or feel worse after initial improvement?
Relapse or worsening of symptoms can happen for several reasons, including inadequate treatment, unresolved underlying issues, support system issues, or unmet expectations. Further, facing and working through difficult feelings or experiences will, at first, heighten symptoms before resulting in sustained improvement.
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