Millions of Americans live with various types of mental
illness and mental health problems, such as social anxiety, obsessive
compulsive disorder, drug addiction, and personality disorders. Treatment
options include medication and psychotherapy.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and
social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps
determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental
health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence
through adulthood.
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental
health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many
factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
·
Biological factors, such as genes or brain
chemistry
·
Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
·
Family history of mental health problems
·
Mental health problems are common but help is
available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover
completely.
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental
health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or
behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
- · Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- · Pulling away from people and usual activities
- · Having low or no energy
- · Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- · Having unexplained aches and pains
- · Feeling helpless or hopeless
- · Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- · Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- · Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- · Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships