Evaluate Your Well-being
The mental state of people in general has taken a huge hit during these times and actually began even before this past year of chaos started.
There are more people with mental instability’s now than ever before. Perhaps it’s because more people rather burry their heads in the sand than ever admit to having something wrong. Like mental health issues.
Mental health disorders (aka; mental illness) affects the persons mood, thinking and behavior. Signs and symptoms can vary depending on which disorder the person has along with the circumstances and other factors, but still has an impact on their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, such as:
- Confusion
- Feeling down or sad
- Reduced concentration
- Excessive worries, fears
- Extreme guilt
- Mood changes from high to lows
- Withdrawal of activities and friends
- Low energy, tiredness, sleeping problems
- Loss of reality like paranoia or hallucinations (delusions)
- Unable to cope with problems or stress from day to day
- Inability to relate and understand people and situations
- Problems with addiction of alcohol or drugs
- Excessive anger, hostility or violence
- Mayor eating habit changes
- Suicidal thoughts
- Sometimes physical pain
- and others.
The causes of mental illnesses are believed to be from a variety of genetic and environmental factors. It’s more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness. This is known as inherited traits. While certain genes may increase the person’s risk of developing mental illness so will their life situations that could trigger it at any time.
The persons environment even before birth, such as stressors, toxins, alcohol or drug use while in the womb, can also be linked to mental illness.
When a person’s brain chemistry is impaired, by not allowing the neural network to function properly and move chemicals to carry signals for the body the way it should, it leads to depression and other mental and emotional disorders for them.
Some other risks in develop mental health issues can be;
- Family history of mental illness within blood relatives, such as parents or siblings.
- Stressful life situations, like the death of a loved one, divorce, or financial problems.
- Chronic ongoing medical conditions.
- Traumatic brain injury, like a violent blow to the head.
- Traumatic experiences, military combat, assault, etc.
- alcohol or drug usage.
- Childhood history of abuse or neglect.
When mental illness goes untreated it can cause severe emotional, behavioral, and even physical health problems. Mental illness is actually a leading cause of disability. When left untreated, mental illness can be linked to;
- Medical conditions
- Heart disease
- Weakened immune system
- Unhappiness in life
- Conflicts
- Relationship difficulties
- Alcohol or drug problems
- Work or school issues
- Legal or financial problems
- Social isolation
- Self-harm, harm to others
- and more.
Understand that mental illness is common. In fact, about one out of five adults has a mental illness in any given year. Mental illness can occur at any age, although most cases do begin earlier in a person’s life.
Effects of mental illness can be temporary or long lasting and some people can have more than one mental health disorder at the same time. If you are having signs of mental illness, see a medical doctor or a mental health professional. Mental illnesses, in most cases, don’t improve on their own and can cause serious problems when left untreated.
For a loved one showing signs of mental illness, be open and honest while discussing your concerns with them. It’ll be more helpful to offer encouragement and support for them to seek medical care. Help them find a qualified mental health professional and help make their appointment. If they are doing self-harm or considering to do so, then take the person to the hospital or call for emergency help immediately, their life may depend on it.
Taking steps to lower and control stress levels, boost self-esteem and increase the ability to recover quickly from difficult situations may help keep the symptoms of mental illness under control. It’s important to work with a medical doctor or trained therapist for proper treatment, care plans and receive routine checkups to keep a steady handle on the mental illness.
Also, taking well care of yourself is another preventative that should be utilized. Eating healthy, doing physical activities, getting sufficient sleep, and maintaining a regular schedule will help in many ways.
Remember, if you have any medical concerns, contact a healthcare provider or if you feel it’s an emergency then go to the hospital or call 911 for help.
Mental illnesses can range from a number of different kinds including but not limited to; clinical depression, Anxiety disorder, Bipolar disorder, Dementia, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Schizophrenia, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Autism, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Eating Disorder, and Addictive Behavior.
The mind is a wonderful and powerful tool for the body. Let’s keep it as healthy as we can by taking care of ourselves.
~Best of Health & Positive Energy, ~ Healing Feather Wellness ~ “Balancing Body, Mind & Spirit” ~ ©2021
