Mental Health
Mental health encompasses your emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how you think, feel, act, and handle the challenges of life.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health affects how we cope with life, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. It is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and aging.
Understanding Mental Disorders
Mental disorders are serious conditions that can affect your thinking, mood, and behavior. They may be occasional or long-lasting and can impact your ability to relate to others and function daily. While these disorders are common, they are treatable, and many people recover completely.
Why Mental Health Matters
Prioritizing your mental health can help you:
- Cope with the stresses of life
- Be physically healthy
- Have good relationships
- Make meaningful contributions to your community
- Work productively
- Realize your full potential
Mental health is also linked to physical health; for example, mental disorders can raise your risk for physical health problems such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Factors Affecting Mental Health
Various factors influence your mental health, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
- Lifestyle choices, such as diet, physical activity, and substance use
You can actively support your mental health through practices like meditation, relaxation techniques, and gratitude.
Warning Signs
It can be difficult to distinguish between normal emotions and potential problems. Warning signs include:
- A change in eating or sleeping habits
- Withdrawing from people and activities you enjoy
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Having severe mood swings that cause relationship problems
- Having persistent thoughts and memories
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like working or caring for children
Seeking Help
If you believe you have a mental health problem, seek assistance. Talk therapy and medicines are effective treatments. If you are unsure where to start, contact your primary care provider.