Mental Health Vs. Mental Illness

As you may know, May is mental health awareness month. Mental Health awareness month, established in 1949  is dedicated to  raise awareness about the health of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Just like knowing and understanding unhealthy ranges for your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight are essential for your physical health,  it is also important to understand unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that develop mental illness. Read below to assess your mental health and address areas of illness.

Uncontrollable Worry

Anxiety can naturally occur as a response to something that is new or unfamiliar. However, patterns of worry when you are in familiar environments or without sudden or new change are an abnormal response and can indicate illness.

Prolonged Sadness

Feelings of sadness or experiencing a low mood after a loss, heartbreak, or receiving devastating news are to be expected and are normal responses. However, feelings of sadness that occur without explanation….without anything sad happening and difficulty  experiencing positive emotions indicates illness.

Changes in Sleep

Good sleep is like charging your phone or electronic devices-it is energizing and our bodies NEED it. Occasionally, we may experience changes in our sleep, however ongoing patterns of an inability to sleep after a long day or oversleeping to escape the day indicate illness.

Emotional Regulation

Have you ever witnessed a 3-year-old have a tantrum? Typically, the tantrum onsets due to a slight change or disappointment or simply being told the word “no”.  For the 3-year-old the tantrum happens due to a lack of control or the ability to express their needs appropriately. Although the word “no” and not getting our way can be frustrating, as adults our responses to unpleasant events should not mirror how a small child may respond.

 Emotional regulation is the ability to control your reactions and self soothe or calm yourself. Consistent problems with soothing yourself or regularly experiencing quick reactions can indicate illness in your emotions.

Whether you find yourself  doing WELL in the above mentioned areas, or if you have areas for improvement; know that mental HEALTH IS a critical part of your overall health. Maintaining HEALTH requires intention and ACTION steps. Throughout the month we will continue to share ways to ACTIVATE good mental health and provide insight into signs of illness.

What is one thing you can do today to INVEST in your mental health?