We usually think of mental illness in terms of specific psychiatric disorders. Someone with schizophrenia has a mental illness. Does that mean that everybody without a psychiatric diagnosis is in a state of good mental health?
Health is not just the absence of disease. Consider the situation with a medical illness. If you don't have a medical disorder, are you healthy? Maybe, but not necessarily. What if you lead a really unhealthy lifestyle: sedentary, poor diet, excess alcohol, cigarette smoking, or all of these?
Similarly, mental health is not just the absence of mental illness. It refers to psychological and emotional well-being that allows one to function normally in society. It includes how we feel about ourselves and others. Mental health should be reflected in our relationships and family life, how we manage our working life, and how we interact with the world around us. Our coping mechanisms are part of our mental health.
Naturally, I advocate good mental health. Avoiding alcohol and substance abuse, pursuing occupational goals, socializing with others, devoting time to family, and making time for leisure and recreational activities all contribute to better mental health.
Positive lifestyle choices can make a big difference in people's lives and sometimes can directly influence mental illness. In some cases, healthy choices can prevent the onset or recurrence of some psychiatric disorders. For instance, a chaotic lifestyle with irregular sleep hours can worsen bipolar disorder and cause manic episodes. Substance abuse can seriously complicate many different psychiatric disorders.
Unfortunately, making the right lifestyle choices does not guarantee the prevention or cure of mental illness. As with some medical diseases, sometimes prevention is beyond our control. Your life may be better, but you still may need professional help for a psychiatric disorder.
I agree with the readers who suggest that you do positive things for yourself. We can all benefit from healthy choices. But if you also are struggling with psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions, or if you are struggling with medications that don't seem to be helping enough or are causing new problems, then one of those positive choices needs to be a personal commitment to seek and follow through on treatment.
2006-11-21 11:27:11
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answer #1
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answered by YoMoMMa 5
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definite THERE ARE treatments. the purely situation is they purely remedy FOR THE SPAN OF THE DRUG IN HOURS. I have WATCHED MY spouse considering that 96 SPIRAL DOWNWARD. they could keep HER ALIVE and that is about IT. AS FOR A significant different, I nevertheless HAVE HER the following. AS FOR A relaxing DAY strolling, cycling, MOTOR HOMING, DANCING, DINNERS, NO SHE isn't able to those initiatives ANYMORE. yet; SHE continues to be the following among THE residing FOR a lengthy time period LONGER, SMILING AND giggling AND TELLING HER thoughts AS she will be able to purely tell THEM.
2016-10-16 09:59:59
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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