Mental health and wellness have always been important. Unfortunately, societal pressures have made it easy to ignore mental well-being, which has led to worsened mental health for many individuals. That’s especially true after 2020. The impact of COVID-19 has affected nearly every area of life, including emotional well-being.
The number of mental health issues has been staggering. There was a 93 percent increase in people who underwent anxiety screenings in September 2020 compared to 2019. In addition, there was a 62 percent increase in depression screenings, and more people have reported frequent thoughts of suicide since the pandemic began.
As we move into 2021 and beyond, it’s important to revisit the basics of mental illness so you can take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Most Common Mental Health Disorders
You may feel like you are struggling with mental stability, but you may not know exactly what it is you’re experiencing. Giving it a name can give you a path forward. When you have a starting point, it becomes easier to find high quality mental health care.
Although it is possible to experience any kind of mental illness, there are some mental health conditions that are more common than others, and you should look to these disorders if you are wondering if you have a problem.
Some of the most common mental health disorders include:
Signs You Have a Mental Health Issue
Although you may have a hunch that you have depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition, you won’t know for sure until you are diagnosed by a professional. The question is, how do you know if you really have a problem that deserves a visit to a therapist or psychiatrist?
Although symptoms can vary wildly between mental health conditions, there are some common signs you can look out for that indicate you may have a problem.
For example, feeling sad or angry are just parts of life. But if you notice yourself feeling upset when the situation doesn’t call for that kind of emotional response, that might be a sign that you’re having mental health and wellness troubles. Moreover, other symptoms like confused thinking, extreme mood changes, and problems sleeping can be indications that you are experiencing depression or another mental health condition.
Listen to your intuition. Your mental health includes how you feel about your mental health. If you have a nagging feeling that something just isn’t right, you are probably struggling with some kind of mental health challenge. You deserve to get help, even if it turns out you don’t have a diagnosable disorder.
Why Your Mental Health and Wellness Are Important
Although more and more people are talking about mental health and its importance, it isn’t uncommon for people to feel like it really isn’t that big of a deal. So what if you don’t feel like spending time with friends, you haven’t had as much energy as you used to, or you have felt a little more stressed than usual?
It’s easy to explain these problems away as the effects of life changes, like getting a new job, moving, or even just a new project at work. Of course, many of these symptoms are more common after 2020 as a result of COVID-19.
But even if you can’t pinpoint the cause of your symptoms, your mental health is important. You should take these feelings seriously and err on the side of getting help.
Part of this importance is because there are strong connections between your mental health and your physical health. According to one study, there are measurable effects to your physical health. For example, depression is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, while psoriasis is a common condition among those who experience extreme stress.
Perhaps the biggest way your mental health affects your physical health is through your lifestyle choices. If you aren’t feeling mentally well, you are less likely to exercise and eat healthy, which can have profound effects on your physical health.
In addition, the longer you attempt to deal with mental health challenges on your own, the more likely you are to engage in self-medicating behaviors. The more you turn to drugs and alcohol to cope—even if you feel like you only do it every once in a while—the more you open yourself up to illness and disease.
Where to Turn for Help
If you are really worried about your symptoms, improving your mental health and wellness is most easily done in a residential treatment center. By combining individual therapy with group therapy, family education, and access to crisis care, you can focus on every aspect of your mental health so you can return to your daily life with confidence.
The more specialized the program, the better. At Port St. Lucie Hospital, we customize a treatment plan just for you. We even have a specialized senior mental health program that focuses on treating and bringing older adults together to tackle mental health challenges.
Do you have questions about how to improve emotional health in general? Or maybe you’re wondering if a residential treatment center is right for you? Call Port St. Lucie Hospital at 772-408-5871 or contact us through our online contact form. We’re here to help you with your mental health and wellness through 2021 and beyond.