The first step to understanding and overcoming mental health conditions is understanding mental health itself. Mental health refers to our cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being, and our mental health impacts how we think, feel, and behave.
Just like other bodily systems, our patterns of thought, feeling, and action can be interrupted or become “ill.” Problems with your digestive system may cause a stomachache. Problems with your mental health may cause anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or any other mental illness.
What Is a Mental Illness?
Feeling a little bit anxious or down does not necessarily mean you have a mental illness, but these feelings can be symptoms of a larger problem. To return to our previous example, a stomachache doesn’t mean you have a disease, but daily stomachaches could indicate bigger problems with the digestive tract.
Similarly, difficult thoughts, emotions, and behaviors become a mental health condition when they interfere with your daily life.
Signs and symptoms of mental illness include:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Losing interest in hobbies and activities
- Pulling away from important relationships
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Feeling unusually upset or worried
- Being confused, forgetful, angry, or on edge
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than normal
- Having intrusive thoughts or memories
- Having unexplained aches or pains
- Hearing voices, seeing, or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Difficulty performing everyday tasks (i.e. getting out of bed, caring for your family)
If you are experiencing the symptoms above, it’s important to remember that there is hope. You can improve your mental health in several ways, including seeking professional help – just like you would for any other illness.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Help
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of the U.S. population will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. Just like our physical health, our mental health can change throughout our lives. There is no shame in prioritizing our cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being and asking for help.
Many people only seek treatment once their conditions become unbearable, but you do not have to suffer when help is available. One way to start managing your mental illness is to pursue residential or outpatient treatment programs. If you’re just coming to terms with a mental health condition or having a particularly difficult “episode,” inpatient care may be the best option for you – and outpatient care is valuable for patients from all walks of life.
At Tapestry, we offer personalized mental health treatment that works for you. We believe in the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model and holistic healing.
Mental health conditions can cause deep pain and distress and impact every aspect of your life. Our holistic healing modalities help you move forward by creating deep intrinsic change within the context of collaborative relationships.
Work with us to get better. Call us at (828) 490-4032 or contact us online for the help you need.
