Master Your Mind
Understanding emotional health
At one time, mental illness was misunderstood. Fortunately a lot of progress has been made in understanding and treating mental illness.But there are still myths about emotional health that can keep people from getting help.
Mental illness is widespread. Milder forms touch one-fifth of U.S. adultseach year. One fifth of school-age children also have mental health problems. Three percent of the people in the U.S. have severe mental illness.
What are the causes?
No one knows the exact causes of mental illness. But research shows that these things may be part of the cause:
- Inherited personality traits
- Family relationships or work issues
- Poverty or financial troubles
- Uncontrolled stress
There aresuccessful ways to treat many physical problems, such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease. The same holds true for mental illness. If you suffer from mental problems it’s important to get help. Medicine can be effective, but it’s not the only treatment. Sometimes therapy alone can help those with mental disorders. Others may need therapy and medication. A psychiatrist can help patients learn more about their situation. When visiting a psychiatrist, you will go through a full mental and physical health exam. Your doctor wants to learn what things in your life may impact your condition, such as those related to family, job, school or community.
Retrain your brain
There are a number of ways to boost your mental health. Try these tips to help keep your emotional health in balance:
- Pick positive people –surround yourself with people you can trust whowill support and encourage you.
- Stave off stress -avoid things thatremind you of why you are stressed. Limit negative activities, such as listening to downbeat news. Make time for relaxing events like playing a board game or taking a nature walk.
- Find time for fun - invite friends and family to a picnic, have a movie night with popcorn at home, or spend time playing with a pet or enjoying a favorite hobby.
- Ask for more help- tune in to your feelings and know when to get more support from a mental health professional, doctor or religious or spiritual advisor.
If you have tried to build up your mental and emotional health and still don’t feel good, then it’s time to seek professional help. A behavioral health professional can work with you to set up a treatment plan that meets your needs. It’s important to get help early before the problem is harder to treat. The sooner you do, the sooner you can get back to an enjoyable, useful life.
Source: American Psychiatric Association
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