Mental Health

Mental health is the way that a person feels about themselves and their ability to cope with the challenges of life. It includes a range of conditions and symptoms, from anxiety to depression.

A Healthy Mind, a Healthy Body

A healthy mental state is essential to good physical health and wellbeing. It can be achieved through a combination of lifestyle, diet, exercise and sleep. If someone is struggling with mental health problems, they may also need to seek help from a primary care clinician and psychiatrist or other specialist.

People with mental health problems often feel isolated, and it can be hard to talk about how you are feeling. Getting help from a support group, a friend or family member can help you get the support you need to make it through the tough times.

The causes of mental illness are complicated. Many factors can contribute to it, including genetics, brain structure, how your brain works, your environment and your social group. These can affect how you think and behave, which in turn can lead to the development of a mental disorder.

Symptoms can come and go throughout your life.

Using the Symptom Checker can help you find out whether you need to see a doctor and what treatment options are available.

Preventing mental health disorders can reduce the impact they have on a person’s lives and improve their well-being. Early diagnosis and treatment can also make a difference, as can self-care and other preventive measures.

Psychotherapy can be a very helpful way to address mental health problems. The different types of therapy vary, but they can all help a person change the way they think and behave.

A person’s mental health can be improved by reducing stress and learning ways to deal with it when it arises. This can be through a number of strategies, such as taking up a hobby, learning a new language or engaging in community activities.

The most common type of therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is focused on changing the patterns of thinking that can lead to a mental disorder. Dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), interpersonal psychotherapy and psychoanalysis are other types of therapy that can be effective in addressing a variety of mental health problems.

Medication can be used to treat a mental illness, such as antidepressants or mood stabilisers. These medications are prescribed by a medical professional trained in psychiatry.

Pharmacotherapy can also be a useful tool to help a person with a mental illness. This is where medication is combined with psychosocial intervention such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Medications and therapy can be very effective in helping to relieve symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the best approach for you, based on your specific needs and preferences.

A person’s level of resilience is another indicator of their mental health and wellbeing. Those who are resilient tend to feel more positive about their lives and are better able to cope with adversity.