MENTAL HEALTH GOOD MENTAL HEALTH BAD MENTAL HEALTH LET US HELP

BAD MENTAL HEALTH

Throughout life, individuals may encounter various mental health challenges that can have adverse effects on their emotions, cognition and overall wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of others around them.

These situations can occur at any stage of life, but those experienced during developmental periods such as childhood and adolescence are particularly delicate. Abuse, violence, and bullying are often cited as key traumatic factors in childhood mental health, leading to the development of mental illness.

Additionally, living in socially, economically and geopolitically precarious contexts (such as war, poverty, inequality, restrictions on freedom, etc.) increases the likelihood of developing mental health problems.

WHAT CAN AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH IN A NEGATIVE WAY?

WARNING SIGNS OF MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE

THE MOST COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

WHAT CAN AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH IN A NEGATIVE WAY?

In our daily lives, it is possible to engage in behaviours that can become toxic to our mental health in the long term.

The initial step to solve a problem is to recognise it, so here are some of the most common habits and behaviours that indicate or can lead to poor mental health.

NEGATIVE THINKING PATTERNS

Negative thought patterns can manifest as false assumptions, unrealistic self-criticism and even denial of reality itself. However, the consequences of this thinking can have a significant impact on an individual's mental health. Breaking the cycle of negative thinking requires learning how to deal with the feelings that lead to negative thinking.

UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE

The most common negative habits that compromise mental wellbeing are lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, insufficient sleep and rest, and drug addiction. To maintain positive mental health, it is crucial to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle, given the interconnection between mind and body. Also the ancient Romans used to say "mens sana in corpore sano," which translates to "a healthy mind in a healthy body.

OBSESSION OVER SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media creates a false reality of how life should be and unrealistic expectations. This then affects how we feel about ourselves and sends our thoughts into a negative spiral. Social media also allows people to isolate themselves from human interaction, which can lead to feelings of loneliness or even discomfort in social settings.

UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships affect our mental health more than we realise. Most toxic relationships involve sabotage and abuse, whether you see it or not. When you're ready, forgive toxic people so you can focus on your mental health. Toxic interactions aren't just face-to-face we should unfollow toxic people online.

PROCRASTINATION

Experts define procrastination as a self-defeating pattern of behaviour characterised by short-term benefits and long-term costs. Procrastination is linked to negative functioning and mental health risks. Individuals who procrastinate commonly tend to have high levels of anxiety and poor impulse control.

SUPPRESSION OF ANGER AND OTHER STRONG EMOTIONS

Research has shown that the suppression of emotions, particularly anger, can have negative effects on one's mental well-being. Negligence of emotional needs can result in difficulties with communication, such as struggling to say no, maintaining boundaries, and forming positive relationships.

WARNING SIGNS OF MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE

There are many warning signs that can indicate you are experiencing mental health problems. The most common ones include:

EATING OR SLEEPING TOO MUCH/ LITTLE

Excessive sleep or insomnia, along with overeating or under-eating, are negative signs of mental health.

PULLING AWAY FROM PEOPLE AND DAILY ACTIVITIES

The avoidance of social interaction and daily routines is concerning with regards to mental health disorders.

HAVING LOW OR NO ENERGY

A significant or unusual decrease in energy can cause concern for the mind.

FEELING NUMB OR LIKE NOTHING MATTERS

Feeling emotionally numb or feeling no emotions can be a symptom of several different medical conditions.

HAVING UNEXPLAINED ACHES AND PAINS

Often the reason for unexplained pain is linked to psychosomatic factors.

FEELING HELPLESS OR HOPELESS

Having feeling of helplessness and hopelessness can be symptom of a mental illness such as depression.

SMOKING, DRINKING, USING DRUGS MORE THAN USUAL

Considerable exaggeration and abuse of toxic substances is a well-known sign of bad mental health.

FIGHTING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Frequent fighting with family or friends can be a warning sign of poor mental health as it often indicates difficulties in emotional regulation and stress management.

EXPERIENCING SEVERE MOOD SWINGS

Mood swings can be related to chronic diseases that affect the brain, such as dementia.

HAVING PERSISTENT THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES

Persistent thoughts and memories are of the primary symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

HEARING VOICES, HALLUCINATING

Hallucinations occur frequently in psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic disorder and borderline personality disorder.

THINKING OF HARMING YOURSELF OR OTHERS

Thoughts about self-harm or damage others is not itself a mental illness but it is often linked to mental distress.

LET US HELP

THE MOST COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

Mental disorders are characterised by clinically significant disturbances in an individual's cognition, emotional regulation and behaviour. According to the WHO 1 in every 8 people around the world lives with a mental disorder. Among the most frequent are:

ANXIETY DISORDERS

Anxiety disordersare characterised by excessive fear and worry and related behavioural disturbances. The symptoms are severe enough to cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.

DEPRESSION

Depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a condition characterised by significant disturbances in cognition and behaviour. Symptoms could feature a consistent presence of delusions, hallucinations, disorganised thinking, highly disorganised behaviour, or extreme agitation.

EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, involve abnormal eating and preoccupation with food as well as prominent body weight and shape concerns.