Mental health refers to our behavioral, emotional, and cognitive well-being rather than our physical health. Fortunately, mental health is no longer the taboo that it once was and the importance of recognizing and accepting mental health disorders and early intervention is now at the forefront of many campaigns. And with the number of people experiencing mental health problems steadily growing, it’s easy to see why. Today, it’s estimated that mental health disorders account for around 25% of all ill-health, and with the recent events of the pandemic still fresh in our minds, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see that figure increase for 2021.
 

Causes of mental health problems

There are lots of factors that can influence our mental health. For some people, mental health problems are hereditary. However, for the majority, it will be external influences that cause you to develop a mental health disorder. Common examples of factors that can contribute to mental health issues include:

• Financial worries

• Social isolation/loneliness

• Bereavement

• Unemployment or work problems

• Severe/long-term stress

• Living with discrimination

• Childhood abuse/trauma

• Living with domestic violence

• Relationship problems
   

Signs of mental health problems

As with any health issue, the sooner a mental health problem is detected, the sooner treatment can begin and the less of an effect your condition will hopefully have on your day-to-day life. Some of the early warning signs of mental health issues to look out for include:

• Isolating yourself away from other people

• Losing interest in activities that you usually enjoy

• Feeling as if you have no energy

• Sleeping or eating too much or too little

• Smoking, consuming alcohol, or taking drugs more than you usually do

• Losing empathy for people around you

• Experiencing mood swings

• Feeling constantly on edge, worried, scared, upset, or confused

• Having persistent thought and memories you can’t seem to distract yourself from

• Hearing voices

• Believing things that aren’t true

• Paranoia

• Inability to perform basic self-care tasks

• Struggling to work or take care of children

• Thinking of harming yourself or other people

If you are experiencing any of these, it is important that you speak to a professional as soon as possible. This could be your doctor or a mental health counselor.

The physical impact of mental health

Mental health may refer to our psychological wellbeing, but it is important to note that some mental health issues can cause us to experience physical symptoms that affect our day to day lives. In some instances, these physical symptoms can even lead to significant health problems. For example:

Mental health and cardiovascular disease. Some studies have shown that there is a link between severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and acute depression, and cardiovascular disease – a term used to describe conditions that affect your heart or circulation.

Mental health and skin conditions. Stress, which is a common element in many mental health conditions, is a key contributor to some skin disorders, including psoriasis. This autoimmune condition is characterized by red, flaky skin but can also lead to skin infections, pain, and psoriatic arthritis, affecting the joints. Living with psoriasis can cause emotional distress that compounds mental health problems further.

Unexplained aches and pains. Research has found that mental illness can cause people to experience a range of otherwise unexplained aches and pains, such as headaches, muscle pain, stiffness, shooting pains, stomach pain, chest pain, trembling, and chronic aching.

Poor sleep/insomnia. Unsurprisingly, mental health issues can weigh heavily on your mind, and this makes sleep issues extremely common. Some patients may find it difficult to fall or stay asleep, while other people may experience persistent exhaustion no matter how much rest they seem to get.

Similarly, poor physical health can also make people more likely to experience mental health issues.  

Counseling, which is a form of talking therapy, is one of the best ways of helping patients to accept their mental health issues and find positive ways to overcome them. To find out more about how counseling can help with your mental health disorder, please contact our friendly, discreet, and compassionate team.