How much do you know about mental health? Do you know that it is about psychological, emotional, and social well-being and not just about emotions?
Sometimes we often confuse poor mental health with mental illness, but a person experiencing poor mental health doesn’t necessarily need to be diagnosed with a mental illness. This is why, Dr. William Glasser, a psychiatrist , defines mental health as an entity completely separate from mental illness. A very simple yet meaningful statement.
Let’s dive in to see what is mental health in psychology. We are here to answer all of your questions regarding mental health.
First, let’s see how mental health may impact daily life, relationships, and physical health.
Taking care of one’s mental health can help preserve one’s capacity to enjoy life. It involves balancing one’s daily activities and duties and attempts to create psychological resilience, i.e., the ability to recover from hardships.
In this blog post, we define what is mental health in psychology and mental health illnesses. We will also discuss the most prevalent forms of mental diseases, including early warning signs and treatment options.
What is Mental Health In Psychology?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.”
What is mental health in psychology
What are the characteristics of mental health in psychology
Mental health encompasses emotional well-being and how individuals think and act. A variety of elements have been shown to impact mental health:
1. Life Satisfaction
Enjoying life is commonly used to evaluate mental health and fitness. It is frequently characterized as a person’s enjoyment of the essential parts of their life.
Some of the elements have been discovered to play a significant part in life satisfaction, such as:
- excellent connections,
- a sense of belongingness,
- being active in work and leisure,
- a sense of success and pride, positive self-perceptions,
- a sense of autonomy, and
- emotions of optimism.
2. Resilience
The ability to recover from hardships is referred to as “resilience.”
Resilient people have a favorable opinion of their abilities to deal with adversity and seek social help when necessary. Those who are tougher can manage stress and thrive in its face.
3. Support
Social support is essential for mental wellness. Loneliness has been related to several adverse health effects. It has been linked to physical and mental health issues such as cardiovascular illness, depression, memory issues, drug abuse, chain-smoking, alcoholism, and altered brain function.
Reduced social support resulting from life transitions such as attending college, dealing with social difficulties, moving jobs, or being divorced can severely influence mental health.
4. Flexibility
Having unrealistic expectations can sometimes add to the stress. That is why emotional flexibility is significant. It means being present and conscious of feelings, even the undesirable ones, and acting in a way that is consistent with one’s ideals.
Simply put, this means taking our thoughts and working according to our long-term values rather than short-term impulses. These impulses are frequently connected to controlling impulsive thinking.
Some kinds of psychiatry have been related to a lack of psychological flexibility. In contrast, increased flexibility is associated with greater life balance and resilience.
Factors affecting mental health in psychology
Regardless of age, gender, income, or ethnicity, everyone is at risk of acquiring a mental health issue. Mental diseases are one of the primary causes of disability in the United States and most developed countries.
Mental health can be influenced by biological variables, social and socio-economic situations, and lifestyle choices.
Many people who have mental health issues have many other conditions simultaneously. It is crucial to remember that good mental health depends on a delicate balance of circumstances and that various aspects of life and society at large might contribute to illnesses.
The following elements may all have a role in mental health problems:
- discrimination,
- trauma exposure,
- low earnings,
- illness of the body,
- limited health-care access,
- inadequate self-esteem,
- ineffective social skills, and
- inequalities in society.
Early signs of having a Mental Disorder
No physical test or scan can determine whether a person has developed a mental disorder. People should, however, be on the lookout for the following symptoms of a mental health disorder:
- distancing from friends, family, and coworkers,
- avoiding things they would typically enjoy, sleeping excessively or insufficiently eating, and feeling hopeless,
- being perplexed and unable to execute daily duties such as working or preparing meals, and
- having recurring thoughts or recollections of committing bodily damage to oneself or others, hearing voices, and experiencing delusions.
How to Stay Healthy?
With so many people suffering daily from mental illnesses, it needs a team of physicians and specialists to offer effective treatment and care. Some of the qualities that can help us fight against poor mental health include:
- having supportive social connections,
- having reliable coping mechanisms,
- looking for opportunities for community involvement,
- having psychological stability,
- participating in frequent physical activity,
- getting enough sleep,
- helping others,
- developing new coping strategies to deal with stress,
- keeping in touch with others, and
- attempting to maintain an optimistic view of life.
How Do Psychologists Provide Help?
Psychologists provide a wide range of examinations and treatment choices in hospitals and other facilities to those suffering from mental illnesses.
It is also critical to seek assistance if you are experiencing issues. If you wish to improve your mental health or address a psychological problem, speak with your doctor or a mental health expert, and take therapy.
Conclusion
Mental wellness entails much more than merely being free of sickness. However, it is crucial to highlight that other elements influence mental health and general well-being. Individual variables are essential, but social, environmental, and socio-economic situations interact dynamically with unique characteristics to improve or jeopardize mental health.
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