HOW TO RECOVER FROM MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
There are many difficulties and situations in the world we find ourselves in. Just as our faces at different, individuals are impacted and respond differently to these situations. When a crisis arises, some individuals seek solutions immediately. Others resort to a suicide attempt. A greater percentage survive the crisis but are left with scars that come in the form of mental illness.
Mental stress is constantly on the increase, and this has correspondingly increased the breakdown in the mental health of persons. It is a form of stress that could be induced as a result of how activities in one’s internal or external environment are perceived, which results in a psychological feeling of anxiety or distress.
Some mental stresses could be a result of performing academic-related arithmetic, carrying out a project like building a house, having a disagreement with a partner or family member, etc. All these degenerate mental health. Therefore, this article will center on mental health, mental illnesses, and how to recover from them.
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health could be thought of as an individual’s capacity to feel, reason, and behave in a manner to better their lives; without losing sight of cultural, social, and personal limits.
In a simpler way, mental health refers to the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social stability of the mind. Although some people opine that mental health is the absence of mental disorders, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has constantly stressed that there’s more to mental health than just mental disorders. They hold that mental health also involves well-being and happiness.
Many factors contribute to the degeneration of mental health. For this reason, the WHO has also emphasized the need for mental health care to be talked about at the individual level and should be a conscious and deliberate attempt by groups or organizations, societies, and nations to sensitize people on the need for proper mental health care.
A simple classification of the causes of mental disorders is as follows
- Biological factors: Families with genes or records of some mental disorders could expose some family members to these disorders. On the other hand, not having a history of mental disorder does not guarantee one’s exoneration or freedom from possibly going down with the disorder.
- Socio-economic factors: one who is in a situation of unemployment, for instance, will seriously be affected. The person tends to overthink and lose hope for living, which eventually tells on mental health. Other socio-economic factors are the type of housing/ shelter, level of education etc.
- Unchangeable factors: Did you know that many people could be discriminated against because of their nationality, sex, or age? In such cases, the WHO encourages mental health to be a topic of national discussion. Many discriminated persons may also lose their self value and confidence and become under pressure on how to survive with a stigma they cannot change.
Mental Disorders
Mental disorders can be classified into schizophrenia, anxiety, and mood disorders. Schizophrenia is a complicated mental condition that makes coordination poor accompanied by difficulty in comprehension.
Anxiety disorders trigger a high level of fear or anxiety. Examples of these disorders are phobias, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Panic disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Mood disorders are classified into Seasonal Affective Disorder, (SAD), major depression, and bipolar disorder.
How To Recover From Mental Illness
- Develop ways to avoid stress/ deal with it
To completely avoid stress is seemingly impossible. Therefore one must develop a thick skin and adapt to the changes they encounter. So, while having a hectic day, take some time out to relax, or better still, take a break and discuss with a colleague. You could also take a walk for some distance around the workspace.
- Do away with hard drugs and excessive alcohol
Sometimes it may seem difficult to do away with these, especially in times of physical or emotional instability. But the truth remains that, this substance only complicates your mental disorder. Drugs affect not just the emotions but also internal organs like the lungs, liver, and kidney.
- Set your goals appropriately
Most often, probably at the beginning of the year, people set their goals and what they intend to achieve. Most times, people set goals that are almost not realistic. In such instances, they feel unaccomplished towards the end of the year, and this definitely tells on their mental health. Therefore, set goals that have a high possibility of being met, and be happy with yourself for every achievement you reach.
- Keep good friends and family
Family and friends have a way of influencing recovery from a mental disorder. In keeping good friends, you have people that encourage you to let go of your past and forge ahead in chasing your dreams. Good friends encourage you rather than mock you for your errors.
Family members are very integral in mental health recovery since they are the people you spend most of your time with. The affection shown by family members is calming and nerve soothing. It has the ability to you move one from a state of depression to a healthy state of mind.
- General body Care
The importance of body care cannot be overemphasized. As one that intends to recover quickly from a mental health issue, you should be cautious about eating healthy foods, taking enough water, exercising regularly, and getting the proper amount of rest and sleep. These in themselves are ways of treatment, in addition to orthodox medication.
- Know your worth
One who is confident would not be deterred or intimidated by anybody on the basis of their age, gender, nationality or status. Therefore, learn to be confident and know your worth. This is actually a very important tool in building sound mental health.
Conclusion
Just as people give priority to their physical health, mental health is also really important. As such, live your life as peaceful as you can, be conscious of avoiding stress, rest when necessary, and appreciate yourself.
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