Mental Health Problems and Mind-Body Wellness

Mental health problems are similar to other health problems:  some can be prevented, others will go away on their own with home treatment, and some need professional attention.

 The Mind-Body Connection

 

Medical science is making remarkable discoveries about the relationship between your state of mind and your mental and physical health. Researchers have found that one function of the brain is to produce substances that can improve your health. Your brain can create endorphins, which are natural painkillers; gamma globulin for fortifying your immune system; and interferon for combating infections, viruses, and even cancer. Your brain can combine these and other substances into a vast number of tailor-made prescriptions for whatever ails you.

The substances that your brain produces depend in part on your thoughts, feelings, and expectations. If your attitude about an illness (or life in general) is negative and you don't have expectations that your condition will get better, your brain may not produce enough of the substances your body needs to heal. On the other hand, if your attitude and expectations are more positive, your brain is likely to produce sufficient amounts of the substances that will boost your body's healing power.

Your physical health also has an impact on your brain's ability to produce substances that affect your mental well-being. An illness or injury that causes long-term physical stress can lead to chemical imbalances in the brain. These imbalances may lead to depression and other mental health problems.

Mental Health Problems and Mind-Body Wellness - Mental Self-Care

Many mental health problems begin when physical stress (such as an illness or injury) or emotional stress (such as the loss of a loved one) triggers chemical changes in your brain. The goal of treatment for mental health problems-including self-care and professional treatment-is to reduce stress and restore the normal chemical processes in your brain.

Seeking professional help

In general, it is a good idea to seek professional help for a mental health problem when:

• A symptom does not get better on its own.
• A symptom becomes severe or disruptive.
• A symptom becomes a continuous or permanent pattern of behavior and does not respond to self-care.
• Symptoms become numerous, affect all areas of your life, and do not respond to self-care or help from family or friends.
• You are thinking about hurting yourself or someone else. Suicidal Thoughts or Threats and Physical Abuse.

There is a wide range of professional and community resources to choose from for mental health problems.

GoodTherapy.org is an international association of counselors, therapists, and psychologists who believe people are equipped to transform the obstacles to optimum health and happiness. As a leading advocate for healthy psychotherapy, GoodTherapy.org educates the public about the differences between healthy and unhealthy psychotherapy and promotes non-pathologically based approaches within the professional community. Ranked as one of the leading mental health organizations and therapist referral sources on the web, GoodTherapy.org maintains the highest standards for membership, allowing only those therapists who meet all the membership requirements and who believe people are basically proficient at their core and have the capacity to access their own wisdom and internal resources to overcome the obstacles to health & happiness.