An integral part of overall health and well-being
Mental health is often seen as something entirely apart from the health of our physical bodies, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refers to “well-being” as a meaningful measure of overall health.
Well-being integrates mental/emotional health (mind) with physical health (the body), resulting in more holistic approaches to disease prevention and health promotion.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that one in four adults in the United States has experienced some form of diagnosable mental disorder in the previous year. The NIMH data suggests that just as physical illness is a normal part of life, so too is mental illness, which may be slight or serious, short- or long-term. The NIMH data indicates some 6 percent of U.S. adults have experienced serious mental illness. The NIMH cites a study that has determined that mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada.
Michelle Long is a care manager with Willis-Knighton Addiction Recovery Center. She also maintains a private practice as a licensed professional counselor in Shreveport. Long said May is Mental Health Month. Long said, “This year’s theme is ‘Mind Your Health.’ Mental health is a vital but sometimes ignored, component of our overall health and wellness. If any component is missing or impaired, we do not function well.
“Over time, neglecting our mental health can lead to physical problems. Our minds have an incredible effect on our bodies. Poor mental health may lead to too much or too little sleep. If we are feeling down, mentally tired or angry, we may crave sweets or salty, fried foods rather than healthy food. We may experience more stomachaches, headaches, back pain; have difficulty sitting still; develop ulcers or hair loss; even start biting our fingernails.”
The Mayo Clinic lists some of the signs and symptoms which may potentially signal the onset of a mental disorder:
• Feeling sad or down
• Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
• Excessive fears or worries
• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
• Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
• Extreme feelings of guilt
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Major changes in eating habits
• Sex drive changes
• Excessive anger, hostility or violence
• Suicidal
thinking Long said, “Maintaining good mental health is simple but not easy. Good mental health means taking time daily for ourselves, doing something we enjoy such as engaging in a hobby and spending time with friends and family and asking for help when we need it. It means paying attention to how we feel and understanding the connection between mind and body. It does not mean that everything is roses; it’s taking life as it comes and accepting the challenges of the day rather than simply wishing or hoping that things will get better. Good mental health means accepting what we can’t change and actively working on ourselves each day.”
According to the CDC, some of the keys to maintaining good mental health are:
• Taking time to help relax, re-energize and organize thoughts and feelings
• Try not to relieve the emotions of stress through bad habits such as excessive smoking, alcohol consumption or recreational drug use
• Open yourself to new ideas and interests. Try new hobbies or social experiences.
• Spend time with family and friends.
• Engage in physical activity that you enjoy on a regular basis.
• Talk about emotions and thoughts with family, friends or health care providers.
• Give yourself time to think before doing or saying something that you may regret.
• Learn to accept your limitations in overwhelming situations and set reasonable expectations.
• Strive for a healthy balance of fitness and nutrition, both of which are essential to maintaining good mental health.
Long said, “When something is amiss with our mental health, there are usually signs that help is needed. There may be changes in appetite and sleep patterns – too much or too little. There may be feelings of sadness or anxiety that don’t seem to go away. Sometimes thinking becomes cloudy or it may be difficult to concentrate on things that used to be simple. In some cases, thoughts of suicide, even fleeting, may begin to appear. If any of these signs describe you or a loved one, please know that help is available. The most important thing to understand about mental health is that it must be cared for with as much diligence as our physical, emotional and spiritual health and we must willing to ask for help if there is any suspicion that there’s an issue.”
