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Mental health encompasses many aspects of our overall health
and well-being and is made up of emotional, psychological, and social
components.1 Emotion well-being refers to how satisfied an
individual is with their current life situation, happiness, and peacefulness.
Psychological well-being includes components such as self-acceptance, personal
growth, openness to new experiences, optimism, and self-direction. An
individual’s social well-being includes social acceptance, personal self-worth
in society, and sense of community. Our mental health plays an integral role in
how we function on a day-to-day basis and impacts our thoughts, feelings, and
actions. It can also determine how we handle certain situations and has an
impact on our personal relationships. Mental illness refers more specifically
to a diagnosable mental disorder.2 Common mental illnesses include
anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism
spectrum disorder, eating disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and
schizophrenia. Depression is the most common mental illness, affecting more
than a quarter of the U.S. adult population.
When to
see your doctor or mental health provider.
Although it may be difficult to recognize when something is
impacting your mental health, there are a few signs that may suggest it is time
to have a discussion with your doctor or a mental health provider.3
Mood: Mood swings from feelings of “highs” to feelings of
“lows” may be a sign of poor mental health. Also, persistent feelings of sadness,
depression, or irritability lasting beyond two weeks may be an indication that
it is time to speak with your healthcare provider about your mental health. Feeling
more tense, nervous, or anxious than usual are also signs of many mental health
concerns. Other changes in mood could include the inability to cope with daily
problems or stress, feelings of guilt, or excessive anger, hostility, or
violence.
Loss of interest or pleasure: A recent loss of interest or
pleasure in activities, hobbies, or work that you once enjoyed is a common sign
that you may need to discuss your mental health with your doctor. You may also
find that it is more difficult to complete tasks or assignments in an efficient
manner. Withdrawal from friends and family can also signify a significant
mental health problem.
Appetite: Changes in eating habits such as eating too much
or too little may indicate that it is time for a mental health checkup. Craving
certain types of foods that are high in fat or sugar is also a stress response
that could result in lower levels of energy and could have an even more
negative result on your mood. A significant amount of weight loss without
attempting to lose weight or a significant weight gain could be diagnostic of a
mental health problem.
Sleep: Recent changes in sleep patterns or habits may also
signify a problem with your current mental health. When faced with higher
amounts of stress, people often respond with having trouble either falling asleep
or staying asleep throughout the night. The quality of sleep could also be
impacted and you may find yourself waking up without feeling re-energized. In
comparison to not being able to sleep well at night, sleeping more than the
normal amount of 7 to 9 hours per night can also be a symptom of a mental
health problem.
Feeling of restlessness or being slowed down: You may feel
that you are unable to sit still and must always be up moving. You could also
experience feeling shaking or have unusual movements. By contrast, you could
also feel slowed down and not able to move as quickly or as graceful as you
normally would.
Energy: Along with problems getting the appropriate amount
of sleep each night, feelings of not having enough energy to get through the
day are also common with many mental health problems. Many patients with
depression or anxiety issues complain of feelings of significant fatigue and
low energy and are not able to complete things that they either must do or want
to do.
Concentration: Many mental health issues can contribute to
an individual’s ability to focus and concentrate. You can recognize your
ability to concentrate by noticing if your productivity levels have decreased,
if you’re unable to make deadlines, or if you’re unable to complete simple
daily tasks such as housework. You may also find that you are unable to make
appropriate decisions in a timely manner.
Physical symptoms: some mental health illnesses may manifest
with physical symptoms such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, and other
general body aches and pain.
Preparing
for your first visit.
Experiencing even just a few of these signs and symptoms is
a reason to see your doctor or a mental health provider, especially if they are
interfering with your ability to function on a day-to-day basis. You may choose
to discuss your mental health concerns with your primary care doctor or you may
go directly to a mental health provider, such as a psychiatrist or
psychologist. In preparation for your first appointment, you should think about
a number of questions that your doctor may ask you. These include:
When did you first notice your symptoms?
Has your day-to-day life been affected by your symptoms?
What have you tried to treat your symptoms on your own?
Do you notice anything that makes you feel worse? Do your
symptoms have a specific trigger?
Have your friends or family members commented on your mood?
Does mental illness run in your family?
What do you expect from treatment?
What medications, supplements, or herbs to you currently
take?
Do you drink alcohol or use illegal (street) drugs?
It is important for you to think about the types of
questions you should ask your doctor or other mental health provider prior to
your first appointment. Examples of the types of questions to ask your doctor include:
What type of treatment will I receive?
Will counseling or therapy help?
Are there medications that will help?
How long will it take for my treatment to start working?
Is there anything I can do on my own to help myself?
Do you have any brochures that I can have to read?
Suicide
Prevention.
If you feel that you are in a crisis or having thoughts of
killing yourself please call the Suicide
Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) immediately. The
Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour service available to anyone in need of
help.
Where to
find more information.
If you would like to find out more
about mental health or mental illness, below are a few helpful resources:
Maggie Thomas
Doctor of Pharmacy
Candidate
College of Pharmacy,
University of Illinois at Chicago
UIC Pharmacy
November 2013
References
