Mental health is a phrase you might have heard of or be familiar with. Mental health encompasses so many aspects of ourselves. We all have mental health and owe it to ourselves to take care of this. I always tell my clients that mental health is just as important as physical health. Think of this – if you had a broken bone or ongoing stomach pain, it would be normal and common to get checked out by your doctor and seek the appropriate care to attend to the issue. If you were feeling sad, stressed, or finding yourself unable to cope through stressors why wouldn’t you talk with someone about this? Mental health and diagnoses or even medication can be very taboo or controversial topics.
Mental health covers how people cope, think, strategize and problem-solve, and includes our overall well-being which includes but isn’t limited to social, psychological, and emotional aspects. When our mental health isn’t great we can notice that not only impacts our thoughts, but how we react and respond to situations. When mental health continues to take a toll it can lead to a formal diagnosis of a condition, presenting symptoms, addiction, or even changes with thoughts and behaviors. Some common mental health diagnoses include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, addictions, mood disorders, and even eating-related conditions.
Common diagnoses and symptoms: This is not a complete list of every symptom
Anxiety: stress, worry, overthinking, feeling on edge, at times panic, feelings of impending doom, restlessness, sweating, heart racing or palpitations, muscle tension, stomach issues, headaches, trouble with concentration, changes in sleep or appetite, avoidance, irritability
Depression: sadness, trouble with seeing positives, negative thought patterns, insomnia, sleeping too much, under- or over-eating, potential suicidal thoughts, feeling down, having the blues, increased isolation, lack of desire to be with others, or a decrease in activities once enjoyed
Bipolar: extreme highs and lows with mood, manic and depressive episodes, impulsivity, lack of need for sleep, increased energy or activities, fast talking, grandiosity, poor judgment, rapid thoughts, irritability, risk-taking behaviors, lack of concentration, at times self-harm or thoughts of suicide
Addictions: restrictions with eating, gambling, overeating, bingeing and purging, turning to substances and needing more to achieve desired effects, tolerance build up, withdrawal, spending time obtaining or using substances, reckless and impulsive actions, avoidance of socialization, intense urges and temptations
How to improve overall mental health and well-being:
Social: stay connected with loved ones, talk with your medical care team, go to therapy, volunteer, join a club or organization
Self-care, mindfulness, and physical activity: go on walks, meditate, use guided imagery, practice progressive muscle relaxation, dance, sing, journal, read, or practice deep breathing
Gratitude or awareness of surroundings: Practice simple gratitude and compassion, acknowledging what you have, or challenging some negative thoughts to replace them with a more positive view.
What to do if you recognize any of these symptoms:
Reach out to a loved one for support and consult with your medical provider for lab workup and to rule out any medical conditions. Reach out to a therapist who can assess your symptoms and help you navigate your experiences and how to manage them. Just remember, mental health is something we all have and we all manage and deal with things differently based on our upbringing, environment, protective factors, and biological makeup. Mental health is just as important as physical health. If you would go to the doctor for the flu it’s also okay to go for mental health-related topics too.
Alexandria Henson, MA, LCPC, NCC