Never discredit your mental well-being

 

Many of us think of our physical health when we’re asked this question – our blood pressure, those achy joints. We don’t seem to pay enough attention to our mental health, which so happens to be interconnected with our physical well-being.

We all go through mental health slumps at different points in our lives. Just like physical ailments, they need attention to prevent them from getting worse.

But it seems that mental health slumps aren’t as easy to spot as a runny nose or an achy knee. When you’re sliding into despair, your thoughts are distorted and it’s harder to realize something’s up.

And then, often when we do realize something’s not right, we neglect our mental health.

Why Is Mental Health a Secret?

Let’s take a look at a few common reasons why people often shy away from mental health issues.
  1. Limited Awareness
The trick to healing is being honest with yourself. You need to know what to look for and how to find the right treatment.
  1. Shame and Fear
A lot of us think that if others knew about our conditions, we’d be singled out. Yet, the number of sufferers is becoming bigger. You are not alone. Mental health problems affect 1 in 5 of us every year. In fact, more than 44 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety or schizophrenia, and just 4% of us suffer symptoms that are so severe they impede daily activity.
  1. Feeling Hopeless or Inadequate
Have you ever thought that no one can help you? It’s a common feeling, but it’s certainly not true. While no treatment is full-proof, there are options out there and the best way to find them is to ask for help.
  1. Inadequate Insight
Mental health actually isn’t that different to physical health. There’s nothing wrong with showing symptoms. If you were running a fever, you’d head straight over to your doctor for treatment. It’s the same with mental health. The first step is the most important, and that is realizing the help and intervention is actually a good thing.
  1. Lack of Access to the Right Care
Despite what statistics tell us, access to care can still be challenging. But it doesn’t mean that help isn’t on hand when you need it. There are plenty of resources available, whether you just need to talk, find your way, or require medication to help you get through the fog.

Never Be Ashamed to Seek Help

A solid and reliable social network, the right balance, purpose, and perspective can all go a long way towards preventing and correcting those emotional slumps. But if you find yourself sliding further, don’t hesitate to talk to a trained mental health professional. That’s especially the case if you notice any of the following changes in yourself:
  • Behavior changes – eating or sleeping more or less than usual, or behavior that isn’t your norm, especially if it is erratic or bizarre.
  • Mood changes – feeling depressed, irritable, tearful, snappy, out of sorts or just not comfortable with yourself, especially if there isn’t a clear reason.
  • Hopelessness – thoughts like “I don’t matter to anyone” or “I can’t take this any longer” are dangerous signs that you need immediate help.
  • Apathy – a lack of pleasure or interest in the things you once enjoyed.
  • Isolation – spending more time alone.
Many of us would head straight to a physio for a knee problem or take the car to a mechanic for a service. Your emotional well-being deserves every bit the same level of respect and care.

Mental health professionals can offer two effective tools that, when combined, can get just about any of us over a mental health slump.

With the help of cognitive behavioral therapy and psychiatric medications, you can get back on track to being yourself again. But, don’t discredit the incredible effects of exercise, the right diet and sufficient sleep for your mental health, too.

It’s often shame and fear that leads us to neglect our mental health. We live in a rat race, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take time out to look after our mental well-being. The same way you schedule exercise and relaxation in your life, it’s time to schedule mental health care into your time.

Remember, it is always okay to ask for support. A bit of my take, thoughts?

 

Follow my journey at marksalinas.com today.

 

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