In this article, we will explore in detail what mental health is, what mental illness is—also referred to as poor mental health—its symptoms and signs, the types of mental illnesses, their causes, why we should address them as soon as possible, and how we can maintain our mental health throughout our lives to live better. Additionally, we will share some insights related to human psychology, mental health, and mental illness. So, please read this article until the end. Let’s dive in.
Understanding Mental Health and Its Importance
Let’s first understand what mental health is. Basically, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social conditions, which directly impact our ability to think, feel, and act. It also helps us handle stress, manage relationships with others, and make decisions in daily life. Whether it’s childhood, adulthood, or old age, good mental health is essential for every stage of life. But if at any point in our lives, we experience issues like…
“Mental health affects emotions, thoughts, and relationships.” (10 words)
What is Mental Illness and Its Symptoms
Problems like depression, anxiety, excessive worry, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts can indicate a mental illness. Yes, if you keep thinking about a particular thought or feel a specific emotion for an extended period—two weeks, three months, six months, or even years—it is not normal and could be a sign of mental illness. We should address it as soon as possible because it can trouble us throughout our lives, completely change us, worsen our emotional connections, damage our relationships, and affect the quality of our thinking, understanding, and speaking. It has been found that worldwide, 90% of suicides are due to mental illness. So, friends, just as physical health is important, mental health is equally, if not more, important.
“Mental illness impacts thoughts and emotions over time.” (8 words)
Feeling sad, anxious, or low on energy is something to watch for. Another aspect is social conditions—preferring to stay alone, being affected by a bad environment or negative company, quickly getting upset by others’ words, or losing trust and interest in people. If any of these symptoms persist in a person for months or years, there’s a high chance they are suffering from a mental illness. However, if these symptoms last only a few days and then go away, that’s normal because, as humans, it’s natural to feel different emotions occasionally.
“Persistent symptoms signal mental illness.” (5 words)
Another category is emotional symptoms, which include feeling like a failure or worthless, losing self-confidence, having no interest in any activity or work, feeling excessively angry, or always being sad.
In today’s world, behaviors like negative thinking, suicidal thoughts, or irritability are commonly observed.
Types of Mental Illness and Common Examples
According to neurologists and psychologists, some types of mental illnesses include autism, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and personality disorders. These are found in patients and manifest in various ways, but major depressive disorder is the most common, with depression being a significant issue. Smartphones and social media contribute significantly, affecting one in five people.
“Depression is the most common mental illness type.” (8 words)
Causes of Mental Illness
So, what causes us to fall prey to mental illness? There are many reasons, including biological factors like our genes and brain chemistry, life experiences such as trauma, childhood abuse, family mental health history, head injuries, health problems, or bad habits and addictions.
Levels of Mental Illness and Treatment
Doctors and experts use a classification system to simplify mental illness. In Level 1, most mentally depressed people can recover on their own with knowledge and effort. In Level 2, we need our own efforts along with support from family, friends, and partners. Level 3 is a major level where we need help from close ones and doctors. However, seeking expert help at Level 1 itself is better because most of us lack proper knowledge about it.
“Level 1 recovery is possible with self-effort.” (8 words)
How to Maintain Mental Health for Life
But if we feel we are at a certain level and want to keep our mental health good for life, we can do so by making some changes in our habits and lifestyle. Start your day right by dedicating at least 1 to 2 hours to yourself in the morning—this is also called “me time.” During this time, include habits like physical exercise, positive breathing, and meditation. Learn to handle stress, stay away from bad habits or addictions, never underestimate yourself or your worth compared to others, maintain good relationships with positive and thankful people, and understand that not everyone is the same or will like you. Doubting yourself, having low confidence, or feeling worthless are lies your mind tells you—learn to handle such thoughts. Eat a healthy diet daily. If something is bothering you, share it with others. Focus on long-term thinking instead of short-term thinking, use your phone and social media as little as possible, and listen to your body’s needs by getting good sleep daily.
“Morning habits and positivity sustain mental health.” (7 words)
Additionally, if you want to read some books, you can try The Power of Now, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, Happiness for You, You Are Not Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain, Sadhana, Man’s Search for Meaning, Panic Attacks, Emotional Intelligence, or Meditation. You can read any of these or others based on your preference.
Mental Health FAQs Based on Long-Tail Keywords
What daily habits should I adopt to improve mental health?
Dedicate at least 1 to 2 hours to yourself in the morning—this is also called “me time.” During this time, include habits like physical exercise, positive breathing, and meditation.
What are the early signs of mental illness and how to recognize them?
If you keep thinking about a particular thought or feel a specific emotion for an extended period—two weeks, three months, six months, or even years—it is not normal and could be a sign of mental illness.
How can I reduce social media use to avoid depression and mental illness?
Use your phone and social media as little as possible.
Which books should I read to maintain mental health?
You can try The Power of Now, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, Happiness for You, You Are Not Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain, Sadhana, Man’s Search for Meaning, Panic Attacks, Emotional Intelligence, or Meditation.
What are the causes of mental illness, and how does family history affect it?
Biological factors like our genes and brain chemistry, life experiences such as trauma, childhood abuse, family mental health history, head injuries, health problems, or bad habits and addictions.
When should I seek a doctor’s help for mental health issues?
Seeking expert help at Level 1 itself is better because most of us lack proper knowledge about it.
Anshu Pathak is a passionate writer and avid reader whose love for stories shapes her world. With a heart full of imagination, she weaves tales that resonate with emotion and depth. When she’s not crafting her next piece, you can find her lost in the pages of a novel, exploring new worlds and perspectives. At Moodframe Space, Anshu shares her creative journey, offering insights, stories, and reflections that inspire and connect with readers everywhere.