Mental Health
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is a combination of people’s behavior, cognitive, and emotional well-being. It can influence how individuals feel, act, think, handle daily life, relationships with others and physical fitness. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that it’s the ability to endure everyday hassles, to ability to work effectively and be able to give and devote back to your community.
However, mental health is not the same as a *mental difference. Health is the absence of disease or illness.
*Instead of saying mental illness I say “mental difference.”
What is Mental Difference?
Mental Difference (Illness) is the presence of a disorder that can affect you cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. Your mental difference can interrupt and impact school, work, and the way you interact with people.
DON’T FORGET THAT YOUR BRAIN IS AN ORGAN TOO!
Causes and Factors That Can Contribute to Mental Differences
- Biological
- Neurotransmitter: Biochemistry of the brain
- Genetics: Can run in the family
- Infections: Some infections lead to development problems and brain damage
- Brain injury
- Prenatal damage: Loss of oxygen, fetal alcohol syndrome, etc.
- Substance abuse
- Poor nutrition
- Exposure to toxins
- Psychological
- Trauma: Can be emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
- Early loss of family, pet, friend, etc.
- War
- Environmental
- Trauma: Can be emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
- Early loss of family, pet, friend, etc.
- War
- Biological
Who Is Affected?
It affects everyone!!! It DOES NOT MATTER your race, age, gender, sexuality/sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, culture, income, or social status.
Signs and Symptoms
It is different for every person depending on what the mental difference is and the age the mental difference started.
- Feeling of sadness
- Not being able to focus, think or learn
- An enormous amount of worrying
- Closing yourself off socially
- Substance abuse
- Hard time understanding or connecting with other individuals
- Delusions, paranoia or hallucinations
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Change in weight
- Excessive hostility, anger or violent behavior
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or others
- Lack of motivation or interest you use to enjoy
- Heightened sensitivity
What you can do help ease mental difference?
DISCLAIMER: WHAT MAY WORK FOR YOU MIGHT NOT WORK FOR ANOTHER!
- Reading the posts on the website on how you feel and what you are going through
- Finding friends and/or family (anyone you consider) to discuss what you are going through
- Eating properly
- Exercising
- Contact professionals who specialize in helping people like yourself