9 Health Topic
May is Mental Health Month
Total health is body, mind and spirit, and May is Mental Health Month. Maintaining an optimum quality of life means striking healthy balances in work, play and relationships, managing stress and anxiety, being resilient with whatever life throws at you, and developing an attitude of gratitude.
Mental health: What's normal, what's not
How do mental health providers diagnose mental health conditions?
To determine if you have a mental health condition, a mental health provider will work with you and your loved ones to assess:
Your signs and symptoms. Your mental health provider will ask about your signs and symptoms, when they began and how they've affected your life. How you perceive your thoughts and behaviors and how much your signs and symptoms affect your daily activities can help determine what's normal for you. For instance, you might realize that you aren't coping well or that you don't want to do the things you used to enjoy. You might feel sad, hopeless or discouraged. If your sadness has a specific cause, such as divorce, your feelings could be a normal, temporary reaction. However, if you have signs and symptoms that are severe or don't go away, you could have depression. You might also need to have a physical exam to rule out any underlying health conditions.
Others' perceptions. Your perceptions alone might not give you an accurate picture of your behavior, thoughts or ability to function. Other people in your life can help you understand whether your behavior is normal or healthy. For example, if you have bipolar disorder, you might think your mood swings are just part of the normal ups and downs of life. Your thoughts and actions, however, might appear abnormal to others or cause problems at work, in relationships or in other areas of your life.
Do the definitions of mental health conditions change?
New research can lead to changes in the classification of mental health conditions. New conditions can be added, existing conditions can be removed, and signs and symptoms can be modified as new opinions develop. For example, researchers are considering whether premenstrual signs and symptoms may be added to the DSM as a diagnosable condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Revisions may also reflect evolving social and cultural attitudes.
When is an evaluation or treatment needed?
Each mental health condition has its own set of signs and symptoms. In general, however, professional help may be warranted if you or a loved one experiences:
Marked change in personality, eating or sleeping patterns
Inability to cope with problems or daily activities
Strange or grandiose ideas
Excessive anxiety
Prolonged depression or apathy
Thinking or talking about suicide
Substance abuse
Extreme mood swings or excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior
Many people who have mental health conditions consider their signs and symptoms a normal part of life or avoid treatment out of shame or fear. If you're concerned about your mental health or a loved one's mental health, don't hesitate to seek advice. Consult your family doctor, make an appointment with a counselor or psychologist, or encourage your loved one to seek help. With appropriate support, you can identify mental health conditions and explore treatment options, such as medications or counseling.
Click here for colorful Mental Health Month calendars from Colorado West.
Total health is body, mind and spirit, and May is Mental Health Month. Maintaining an optimum quality of life means striking healthy balances in work, play and relationships, managing stress and anxiety, being resilient with whatever life throws at you, and developing an attitude of gratitude.
Mental health: What's normal, what's not
How do mental health providers diagnose mental health conditions?
To determine if you have a mental health condition, a mental health provider will work with you and your loved ones to assess:
Your signs and symptoms. Your mental health provider will ask about your signs and symptoms, when they began and how they've affected your life. How you perceive your thoughts and behaviors and how much your signs and symptoms affect your daily activities can help determine what's normal for you. For instance, you might realize that you aren't coping well or that you don't want to do the things you used to enjoy. You might feel sad, hopeless or discouraged. If your sadness has a specific cause, such as divorce, your feelings could be a normal, temporary reaction. However, if you have signs and symptoms that are severe or don't go away, you could have depression. You might also need to have a physical exam to rule out any underlying health conditions.
Others' perceptions. Your perceptions alone might not give you an accurate picture of your behavior, thoughts or ability to function. Other people in your life can help you understand whether your behavior is normal or healthy. For example, if you have bipolar disorder, you might think your mood swings are just part of the normal ups and downs of life. Your thoughts and actions, however, might appear abnormal to others or cause problems at work, in relationships or in other areas of your life.
Do the definitions of mental health conditions change?
New research can lead to changes in the classification of mental health conditions. New conditions can be added, existing conditions can be removed, and signs and symptoms can be modified as new opinions develop. For example, researchers are considering whether premenstrual signs and symptoms may be added to the DSM as a diagnosable condition called premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Revisions may also reflect evolving social and cultural attitudes.
When is an evaluation or treatment needed?
Each mental health condition has its own set of signs and symptoms. In general, however, professional help may be warranted if you or a loved one experiences:
Marked change in personality, eating or sleeping patterns
Inability to cope with problems or daily activities
Strange or grandiose ideas
Excessive anxiety
Prolonged depression or apathy
Thinking or talking about suicide
Substance abuse
Extreme mood swings or excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior
Many people who have mental health conditions consider their signs and symptoms a normal part of life or avoid treatment out of shame or fear. If you're concerned about your mental health or a loved one's mental health, don't hesitate to seek advice. Consult your family doctor, make an appointment with a counselor or psychologist, or encourage your loved one to seek help. With appropriate support, you can identify mental health conditions and explore treatment options, such as medications or counseling.
Click here for colorful Mental Health Month calendars from Colorado West.
