Mental health is becoming more important as people live longer and see their lives become more chaotic. It may not be considered a mental illness but it can be disabling. Mental health, defined again by the World Health Organization, as "the state of well being in which an individual realizes his/her capabilities, is able to cope effectively with the daily stresses of life, is able to work productively and willingly, and can make a significant contribution to his community." Mental health must begin at birth and continue throughout life. A mental health professional is someone who can provide ongoing guidance in regards to a persons mental health.
In addition to environmental, biological, and social causes, mental health problems can be attributed to hereditary, biological, and emotional factors. It is estimated that well over half of the population is affected by some type of mood disorder at some point in their lifetime. These conditions range from those that simply cause a person to have poor judgment and behavioral issues to complex disorders that cause serious mental health problems. People who are suffering from mood disorders will often also experience depression as well as other psychological issues like irritability, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
There are several types of mental disorders. These include but are not limited to major depression, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia. While mood disorders and mental health problems are common, they are not always easy to treat. It is not enough to simply take anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications. A mental health professional will work with patients to identify and treat their particular biological factors that can lead to their mood disorders. The biological factors may be due to genetics or changes in the brain that happen over time.
There are several different ways to get help for your mental health and/or psychological issues. Psychotherapy is a popular treatment for many mental illnesses. In therapy a licensed therapist will seek to figure out what is causing the stress and frustration in your life. They will help you to gain control of your emotions so that you can better understand and deal with them. There are a variety of different kinds of psychotherapy treatments ranging from cognitive behavioral therapy to group counseling sessions.
It is important to identify any family history of mental health problems. If someone in your family has been diagnosed with an illness or disease it increases the risk of you developing the same illness or disease. If you have a close family member that has been diagnosed with an illness or disease it is important to learn about the mental health problems that they have dealt with. By learning about the illness or disease that your loved one is suffering from you will be in a better position to know if there are any other issues that they might be dealing with.
It can also be beneficial to get help for your mental health and/or psychological issues from a mental health counselor. A mental health counselor will be able to help you work through your issues and get better. Most of the time they will provide therapy and/or medication for the symptoms of the illness or disease. The goal of the counselor is to help the client realize that they are not alone and that there are people willing to do whatever they need to do to get better. Counselors can also help you build support in your family and throughout your life.
Medication is another way to get help for your mental health and/or psychological symptoms. If you are dealing with an illness or disease that is causing the symptoms of the disorder then the medication is to help you feel better and to control the symptoms. Many times when people are dealing with depression or anxiety disorders they turn to prescription medications instead of seeking the proper mental health counseling. This is not always a good idea because often medication is not the best course of treatment and can actually make the symptoms worse.
If you or someone you know needs help for their mental health and/or psychological symptoms then there are many resources available to you. Many people do not like to talk about mental health issues so you may want to approach this topic gently. You should make sure that you are going to a place that is comfortable and not invasive. You also want to find a resource that you can trust and that understands that people will often be afraid to admit that they are having problems. Don't let that stop you from getting the help that you need!