What is Mental Health?
When it comes to mental health, there are many assumptions as to what it is. In fact, mental health makes up your emotional, social, and psychological well-being. In essence, it is how we feel, act, and think. It determines how we relate to the people around us, how we handle stress, and why we make the choice we do. It’s an essential part of every stage of life as it affects your thinking, behavior, and mood.
Many things contribute to your mental health. There is your family history, life experiences, and even biological factors. While mental problems are common and have a greater chance of leading to addiction, there are ways to improve and even recover from them completely.
While many of those with mental health problems also deal with addiction, it helps to know what the early warning signs are so you can get help or encourage others to do the same before the issue gets more problematic. Some signs include:
- Having little to no energy.
- Unexplained aches or pains.
- A feeling of helplessness or hopelessness.
- Using drugs, alcohol, or smoking more than you normally would. This could be considered self-medicating.
- Distancing yourself from others and everyday activities.
- Sleeping too much or not enough. The same goes for your eating habits.
- Experience mood swings that are causing problems within your relationships.
- Considering harming yourself or another person.
- Fighting with family and friends.
