A person’s mental health includes their psychological, social, and emotional well-being. A person’s mental health plays an important role in how they feel, think, and behave throughout their lives. It affects the way we handle stress, conduct relationships, and make decisions.
 
The state of our mental health affects nearly every aspect of our lives. Good mental health can affect our happiness, motivation, and general sense of well-being. When you are mentally ill, you may feel hopeless, lack motivation, be prone to alcoholism and other substances, and be unable to handle professional or social situations effectively.
 
As mental health problems are better understood, treatment options are expanding. It is important to understand that mental disorders can be temporary or chronic, and they can affect everyone differently. Some people experience only minor symptoms, while others may have difficulty functioning. Thinking, mood, behavior, and feelings are affected by mental disorders and illnesses.

It is normal for everyone’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior to change from time to time. You may have a mental illness if these changes make you less able to function on a day-to-day basis. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders are all forms of mental illness. Approximately 44 million Americans suffer from different types of mental illnesses each year.
 
It is impossible to tell if you or someone you know has a mental illness by a simple test. People around you may notice small changes in your behavior before you become seriously ill. Talking to a doctor or mental health professional if you notice something amiss is the best course of action. It is often possible to prevent mental illness from worsening if you seek help early on.
 
Depending on the disorder, circumstances, and other factors, mental illness can have different signs and symptoms. Emotions, thoughts, and behaviors can be affected by mental illness symptoms.
 
Signs and symptoms of mental illness can include persistent sadness or feeling down, difficulty concentrating, excessive fear or worry, extreme guilt, mood swings, and withdrawal from friends and activities. Other indicators include fatigue, low energy, detachment from reality, inability to cope with day-to-day, suicidal thinking, problems with substance use, sexually problems, weight fluctuation, and more.
 
In some cases, mental health disorders cause physical symptoms such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained pains.

Mental health issues typically do not have a clear cause, but certain risk factors increase the likelihood of experiencing one. Blood relatives of people with mental illnesses are more likely to have poor mental health. Some genes, as well as certain life circumstances, can increase your risk of developing a mental illness. In the womb, children may be exposed to environmental stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol, or drugs that can lead to mental illness.
 
The brain sends signals to other parts of the body and brain using natural chemicals called neurotransmitters. An impaired neural network involving these chemicals can lead to depression and other emotional disorders. Past physical and/or emotional traumas may trigger the onset of mental health issues, as can familial or parental neglect. Substance misuse of alcohol or drugs can also increase the likelihood of experiencing mental health issues.

Mental health specialists serve as counselors for people with mental illnesses, helping them cope, live with, and overcome them. Counseling-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy may be used alongside medication-based treatments by mental health specialists.
 
To determine the best pathway toward living with greater control of a mental disorder, each client’s demands and treatment will vary depending on their specific needs. Counseling in mental health and addiction is available at Best Fit Counseling & Psychiatry in Ann Arbor, MI. Licensed in Ann Arbor MI, Pittsfield Charter TWP MI, Ypsilanti MI, Saline MI, Dexter MI, Scio TWP MI, and surrounding areas.