Search results
Jan 28, 2021 · If you really want to move on, start with acceptance. Acceptance is the beginning of any healing. When we don’t accept something, it continues to grow, like a virus.
Jun 6, 2011 · People say “move on,” but how can you when the toxic job is the last on your resume, and their comments (or lack) are a plague to you, or the spouse refuses to finalize the divorce, or the ...
May 20, 2011 · A healthy mind is one that finds in whatever fear, anger, sadness, despair, irritation, confusion, or frustration we feel, a potential for pleasure that has yet to unfold—an energy and...
Jul 26, 2011 · The current WHO definition of health, formulated in 1948, describes health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” 1 At that time this formulation was groundbreaking because of its breadth and ambition.
- M. Huber, J.A. Knottnerus, L. Green, H.E. van der Horst, A.R. Jadad, D. Kromhout, B. Leonard, K. Lor...
- 2011
- Overview
- What is mental health?
- Risk factors for mental health conditions
- Types of mental health disorders
- Early signs
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Myths vs. facts about mental health
- How to maintain your mental health
- Suicide prevention
Mental health is all about how people think, feel, and behave. Mental health specialists can help people with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, addiction, and other conditions that affect their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Mental health can affect daily living, relationships, and physical health.
However, this link also works in the other direction. Factors in people’s lives, interpersonal connections, and physical factors can contribute to mental ill health.
Looking after mental health can preserve a person’s ability to enjoy life. Doing this involves balancing life activities, responsibilities, and efforts to achieve psychological resilience.
Stress, depression, and anxiety can all affect mental health and disrupt a person’s routine.
Although health professionals often use the term mental health, doctors recognize that many psychological disorders have physical roots.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
“Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”
The WHO states that mental health is “more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.” Peak mental health is not only about managing active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness.
It also emphasizes that preserving and restoring mental health is crucial individually and at a community and society level.
In the United States, the National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that almost 1 in 5 adults experience mental health problems each year.
In 2020, an estimated 14.2 million adults in the U.S., or about 5.6%, had a serious psychological condition, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Everyone is at some risk of developing a mental health disorder, regardless of age, sex, income, or ethnicity. In the U.S. and much of the developed world, mental disorders are one of the leading causes of disability.
Social and financial circumstances, adverse childhood experiences, biological factors, and underlying medical conditions can all shape a person’s mental health.
Many people with a mental health disorder have more than one condition at a time.
It is important to note that good mental health depends on a delicate balance of factors and that several elements may contribute to developing these disorders.
Anxiety disorders
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness. People with these conditions have severe fear or anxiety related to certain objects or situations. Most people with an anxiety disorder try to avoid exposure to whatever triggers their anxiety. Below are some examples of anxiety disorders.
Mood disorders
People may also refer to mood disorders as affective disorders or depressive disorders. People with these conditions have significant mood changes, generally involving either mania, a period of high energy and joy, or depression. Examples of mood disorders include: •Major depression: An individual with major depression experiences a constant low mood and loses interest in activities and events that they previously enjoyed (anhedonia). They can feel prolonged periods of sadness or extreme sadness. •Bipolar disorder: A person with bipolar disorder experiences unusual changes in their mood, energy levels, levels of activity, and ability to continue with daily life. Periods of high mood are known as manic phases, while depressive phases bring on low mood. Read more about the different types of bipolar here. •Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Reduced daylight during the fall, winter, and early spring months triggers this type of major depression. It is most common in countries far from the equator.
Schizophrenia disorders
The term schizophrenia often refers to a spectrum of disorders characterized by psychotic features and other severe symptoms. These are highly complex conditions. According to the NIMH, signs of schizophrenia typically develop between the ages of 16 and 30. The individual will have thoughts that appear fragmented and may also find it hard to process information. Schizophrenia has negative and positive symptoms. Positive symptoms include delusions, thought disorders, and hallucinations, while withdrawal, lack of motivation, and a flat or inappropriate mood are examples of negative symptoms.
No physical test or scan reliably indicates whether a person has developed a mental illness. However, people should look out for the following as possible signs of a mental health disorder:
•withdrawing from friends, family, and colleagues
•avoiding activities they would normally enjoy
•sleeping too much or too little
•eating too much or too little
•feeling hopeless
Diagnosing a mental health disorder requires a multi-step process. A doctor may begin by looking at a person’s medical history and performing a thorough physical exam to rule out physical conditions or issues that may be causing the symptoms.
No medical tests can diagnose mental disorders. However, doctors may order a series of laboratory tests such as imaging exams and bloodwork to screen for other possible underlying causes.
They will also do a psychological evaluation. This includes asking about a person’s symptoms, experiences, and how these have impacted their lives. Sometimes, the doctor may ask a person to fill out mental health questionnaires to get an idea about a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns.
Most mental health specialists use the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to make a diagnosis. This manual contains descriptions and specific criteria to qualify for a diagnosis.
There are various methods for managing mental health problems. Treatment is highly individual, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Some strategies or treatments are more successful in combination with others. A person with a chronic mental disorder may choose different options at various stages in their life.
The individual needs to work closely with a doctor who can help them identify their needs and provide suitable treatment.
Below are some treatment options for people with mental ill health.
There are several commonly held beliefs and misconceptions about mental health. Here are some examples.
Myth: A person with a mental health condition has low intelligence.
Fact: Mental illnesses can affect anybody regardless of intelligence, income, or social status.
Myth: Teenagers do not have mental health issues. They just have mood swings due to their fluctuating hormones.
Fact: While it is true that teenagers often have mood swings, it does not mean that they cannot have mental health issues. Half of all mental health conditions begin by age 14.
Myth: People with mental health illnesses are dangerous, violent, and unpredictable.
Practicing self-care can help improve a person’s mental health by reducing a person’s risk of illness, increasing energy levels, and managing stress. The NIMH offers several tips to help a person begin with their self-care routine:
•Regular exercise: Exercising for 45 minutes, three to five times a week, can significantly improve mental health.
•Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated: Eating a nourishing, balanced diet and staying hydrated can give a constant supply of energy throughout the day.
•Aim for good-quality sleep: A 2021 review of multiple studies found that more significant improvements in sleep quality led to greater improvements in a person’s mental health.
•Perform relaxing activities: Breathing exercises, meditation, wellness apps, and journaling can help reduce stress and improve overall health and well-being.
•Practice gratefulness: People can practice mindfulness and gratitude by actively identifying things they are grateful for daily.
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
•Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
•Listen to the person without judgment.
•Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
•Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
•Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
Jun 17, 2022 · Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
People also ask
What does moving on mean?
Are you moving on when you accept what happened?
Does moving on delete the past?
Our study identifies a major obstacle for integrating mental health initiatives into global health programmes and health service delivery, which is a lack of consensus on a definition, and initiates a global, interdisciplinary and inclusive dialogue towards a consensus definition of mental health.
