Mental Health

Medical providers define mental health as a person’s psychological, emotional and social well-being. Many of us will experience temporary challenges to our mental health that may resolve relatively quickly without a formal diagnosis or treatment. Others may experience long-term or chronic mental health disorders that can be managed through treatment to allow for overall physical, social and emotional well-being.

People diagnosed with mental health disorders may have treatment plans that include medication and psychotherapy. They may also benefit from help with developing strategies to improve their overall well-being and mental health.

Maintaining good mental health isn’t just important for your mood or emotional well-being. Researchers have established a connection between taking care of the mind and helping the body.

Taking a proactive approach to mental health may better equip people to manage stress, stay healthy and be productive. A classic study at Oxford University found that mental health disorders reduce life expectancy as much as 10 to 20 years. Poor mental health can be associated with socioeconomic challenges, deprivation and increased health-risk behavior. A number of studies have also shown that physical activity is an important component of mental health.

Many factors affect mental health, including life experiences, biological factors, family history and lifestyle. You can’t control all these factors, but you can seek help from a professional and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

“An individual’s mental health can be significantly affected by a single or combined interaction of several factors including genetic predispositions, environmental/experiential circumstances as well as age-specific challenges, such as progressing through life’s developmental stages,” clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Adamse told Drugwatch.

“For example, adolescence brings on major physical and psychological changes that can either be transitioned through with relative smoothness or create mental health issues throughout life. Aging can lead to isolation, declining physical health and a reduction in cognitive abilities,” he added.

A person’s lifestyle choices may also influence their mental health. For example, eating a poor diet, being inactive and using alcohol, tobacco or other substances may contribute to poor mental health. One of the strongest predictors of both physical and mental health is the status of a person’s social bonds. Socially isolated people without connections to friends and family are at very high risk for a variety of health issues.

Signs of poor mental health include changes in behavior, thinking, sleep patterns and poor performance at work or school. It can be difficult to tell if you’re suffering from mental health issues, but there are some warning signs to look out for.

“Poor mental health can manifest in a number of ways, including addictions of all types, emotional outbursts or withdrawal from normal life activities,” Adamse said. “Depression and anxiety disorders contribute significantly to the increased rates of psychological problems we are seeing in America today.”

The first point of contact is often your primary care physician. They can help you rule out other potential causes of these symptoms and refer you to a mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is in severe emotional distress or is thinking of harming themselves or others, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. These centers provide crisis help and referrals to mental health professionals. It’s free to call, and help is available seven days a week and 24 hours a day.

Stress and Mental Health

One of the main causes of poor mental health is stress, or what some people call “fight or flight” reactions. Stress helps people survive dangerous situations or get through a crisis. Many people live in chronic fight or flight mode because of financial worries, friction in the workplace or complicated relationships.

According to the American Institute of Stress, the top three causes of stress in the United States are job pressure, money and health. About 55% of Americans report experiencing stress throughout the day and 94% of workers are chronically stressed at work.

Stress can manifest as physical problems including body aches, high blood pressure, overeating, insomnia, vulnerability to infection, chronic headaches and more. It can also lead to more serious mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.

Mental health disorders affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood and behavior. These changes in mood don’t happen because of one event. They’re persistent and cause problems with daily tasks and living.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the most common mental health disorders in the U.S. are anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. But many other disorders affect Americans.

A person may suffer from more than one mental health disorder at a time, and some conditions may overlap. Only a licensed mental health professional can properly diagnose mental health disorders.

Strategies for managing your mental health include prescription drugs for mental health disorders, seeking mental health therapy or making lifestyle changes. If you have a mental or behavioral health condition, using all three strategies is the most effective way to manage symptoms.

“Managing our mental health requires a commitment to engage in self-care, which includes regular exercise, proper nutrition and paying attention to our spiritual lives. Spending time in nature is a powerful antidote to stress. Keeping connected to others is the single most robust factor in helping us weather life’s inevitable storms,” Adamse said.

Prescription Drugs for Mental Health Disorders

People with serious mental health disorders that prevent them from completing daily tasks and thriving may need prescription medications to help control symptoms. Some popular medications include SSRI antidepressants such as Zoloft and Prozac; stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin; and antipsychotics such as Abilify, Risperdal and Symbyax.

Paxil was among the most popularly prescribed SSRIs. But prescription rates for it have declined in recent years.

Mental Health Therapy

Mental health therapy includes a variety of approaches such as talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and couples counseling. Some people may find that therapy alone is helpful while others may find that medication alone is helpful. Many people, however, benefit from a combination of the two.

Lifestyle Changes

When used with medication or therapy, lifestyle changes can help improve mental health disorder symptoms and prevent escalation. These changes include eating healthier, exercising more and employing stress-reduction techniques such as yoga and meditation.