I. What is mental health and mental illness
Mental health is about feeling good, but it’s not just about how the mind feels. When you are mentally healthy, you will feel good about life and comfortable with most people you know. You won’t always be sad or worried about trivial things. You won’t think that people around you are trying to hurt you and that the whole world is against you. Life can be hard at times, but most of the time, you are enjoying it. Mental health is about how people feel, how they think, and how they see the world. Without mental health, it is difficult to deal with everyday things and to live a full and happy life.
When people have problems with their mental health, we call this a mental illness or psychological problem. There are many types of mental illnesses, some of which change the way people think, some change their emotions, and some affect their behavior. Mental illness can change the way a person feels and relates to people. Its symptoms can be mild or severe. Illnesses have multiple causes, can occur in anyone, and are treated effectively, especially when attention and treatment are given at early onset. Even when experiencing serious mental problems, people can still have a full and constructive life.
Common psychological and psychiatric problems include insomnia, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatoform disorders, eating problems (anorexia and bulimia), stress problems, bipolar, adolescent and menopausal mood problems, geriatric psychiatric disorders, personality disorders, etc.
Second, who can get mental illness
Anyone can get mental illness, no matter how high or low, rich or poor, how much education, regardless of race, culture or faith, mental illness can affect every person and every family. Mental illness does not occur when one stops believing or ceases religious practice. Spiritual pursuits can give strength and help to overcome difficulties, but the absence of faith does not cause illness. There is no shame in having an illness, but sometimes it can be shameful to not seek help, which can lead to more trouble. If you don’t seek help, advice or treatment, mental illness can get worse in the delay.
Third, what triggers mental illness
Just like physical illnesses, mental illnesses are caused by the interaction of environmental and biological factors. It is important to intervene early and be on the lookout for high-risk factors. Environmental factors include everything around us in our daily lives, such as daily work, income, stress, disappointments, loss of family, abuse, neglect, and traumatic experiences.
Our brain and body are made up of biochemicals and the brain has many neurotransmitters and neural pathways. Mental illness occurs when chemicals are altered in the brain and body, the structure of the brain is altered in some people, and the operational functions associated with different parts of the brain are altered. Some things that happen in the environment can catalyze changes in brain neurotransmitters and functions, or events that cause changes in chemicals in the brain, resulting in a different way of looking at the environment.
Stress is an example of how environmental and physical factors can affect mental health. All stress affects our bodies, causing increased heart rate, shortness of breath, pain, insomnia, eating disorders, or feeling upset in the stomach. Stress caused by traumatic experiences (war, racism, rape, discrimination and abuse, etc.) can have a huge impact on our psyche. If we don’t handle traumatic stress well, the negative experience can cause physical and emotional problems, especially when there are predisposing qualities.
Fourth, can mental illness be recovered
It is possible for people with mental illness to fully recover, and some people can recover. Some become stronger and wiser from their experiences, others come out of rock bottom but still have intermittent relapses, while others heal less well and continue to receive long-term treatment. It is difficult for mental health practitioners and psychologists to predict exactly how well each person will heal and what the future holds.
Unfortunately, sometimes people are told they cannot be cured, and hearing this can add to the despair and delay the recovery period. No matter what you are told, never give up, and recovery is possible for all mental illnesses. It is possible to live, work, study and participate fully in the community despite your illness. If you believe you can recover and get the support you need, including people believing your condition will improve and nurturing your hope, you may recover.
Environmental factors can easily trigger illness, but it can also be a major factor in enabling recovery. The support and care of family, the trust of friends and mental health workers to help you build hope can all contribute to the process of recovery.
V. What patients can do for their own recovery
Understand your strengths and needs, and think about and record often what your strengths and needs are.
Believe that recovery is possible and take the initiative to communicate and connect with patients in recovery.
Learn as much as possible about your illness, including how to manage and control it.
Accept the limitations that the condition places on you and continue to live and work with the discomfort.
Know that you need to seek help when you are ill and be proactive in seeking medical attention.
Follow the advice of a doctor you trust, follow up on time, and do not reduce or stop medication at will. Non-standard treatment tends to make the disease more prolonged, chronic, relapsing, and more damaging to the brain.
Believe that you have the ability to recover and learn to overcome negative attitudes.
Develop hobbies, insist on sports (such as playing ball, or walking briskly for one hour a day), maintain interpersonal relationships, etc.
Build up hope, believe that you can handle life and reach your goals and realize your dreams.
VI. How family members should help the patient
Family members can help identify the early symptoms of the patient’s disease, can assist the patient in seeking help and choosing treatment wisely, and can also give support and care during treatment, which are very important for patients who are battling with the disease. Believe that recovery is possible for the patient, use language that is full of hope and possibility, and do not complain. Be confident when the patient has low confidence and you should realize that the process of recovery varies from person to person. Encourage the patient to lead an active and fulfilling life, for example, by encouraging him to seek employment, go to school, socialize, volunteer, and also organize some family activities.
Be realistic, don’t expect too much or too little, and focus on the patient’s abilities. Remember that the patient is the same person as before, the only difference is that he or she is now experiencing difficulties in life and cannot deal with problems as before.
It is important to focus on the patient’s safety. Some patients have thoughts at some point and family members should be with them at all times. Studies have shown that after a person commits suicide, at least six people close to him or her will feel psychologically guilty and distressed for months or even years. For the sake of the patient and themselves, it is important that family members take care of the patient and keep them safe.
While caring for the patient, family members must also be aware of their own needs, take care of yourself, and make sure your life is not affected, even if it is difficult or unconventional to do so. For example, you should continue to work, maintain your hobbies, and if a trip has been planned earlier, leave as planned and entrust someone else with the patient’s care. As the patient gradually recovers, let them adjust to life at their own pace. Try to do things with them, but don’t do them for them. Encourage them to do things on their own; this will help them develop confidence.
Know when you should do what. Keep an eye on the patient’s symptoms and if they seem to be getting worse, seek help right away. Get involved in local support or self-help organizations. Remember that family support is very, very important to the patient’s recovery. Family support allows the patient to reach their potential, face the disease better and live better.
Note: This article is based on the “Navigating the Sea of Hearts – A Guide to Mental Health Services for Newcomers to Toronto”.