If you are living with mental health issues and working with a psychologist or mental health practitioner to deal with these issues, it is beneficial to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your behaviours, thinking patterns, and any medication you’re taking. By understanding these as much as possible, it will help you to manage the issues and maintain your wellbeing.
In this article, we cover:
- What is mental illness?
- Is it your fault?
- Symptoms of mental illness
- Understand your medication
- Who to see for help
Armed with this information, it can help put you on the road to living a life that’s happy and complete, and that’s what you want.
What is mental illness?
In the journey to understand your mental health, it helps to be reminded about what mental illness is. Mental illness is also known by other names, such as mental Ill-health or mental health disorder. It is a condition that affects the way you think, feel and/or behave.
It’s natural to experience adverse emotions. It’s a part of being human. But when the behaviours become excessive and ongoing, affecting your ability to function capably and sociably, it has an overall impact on your quality of life. This is a sign that something may not be right. The impacts of mental illness can increase over time and cause serious problems in your ability to contribute to social activities, including in the workplace. These can not only affect you, but have an effect on your family, colleagues, and others. There are numerous mental health disorders, but of the most common are excessive anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and substance abuse.
Is it your fault?
If you live with a mental health issue, it is not your fault. The Australian Government Mental Health department outlines factors which contribute towards mental health disorders.
These include:
- your life experiences, such as trauma and abuse
- your biological makeup, such as your genes or brain chemistry
- a family history with mental health problems
- Stressors in your life such as an adverse event or significant change
An example of a stressor contributing towards an impact in mental health is when older people transition from home life into residential aged care. Such a change and unfamiliarity can result in anxiety and depression. There are many reasons why this can result in depression. The older person may feel that they lose their agency, feel socially isolated and not able to pursue the daily activities they have been used to in their own homes.
Symptoms of mental illness
To understand your mental health and identify whether you may be experiencing a mental health condition, consider the symptoms you’re experiencing. Symptoms can vary according to the type of disorder, but below is a list of the most common symptoms.
It includes:
- Having confused thinking or a reduced ability to concentrate
- Excessive fears, guilt or anxieties
- Excessive anger, hostility or violence
- Extreme swings in your mood
- Isolating yourself from others
- Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
- Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
- Addictive behaviours which are destructive
- A major change in your eating
- Changes in sex drive
- Suicidal thinking
Mental health issues can at times manifest physically, for example pains and aches in your body, such as headaches, muscle tension, stomach problems and nervous tension.
If you have a mental health problem, you’re not alone. Many people experience mental health problems even once in their lifetime. Whether the symptom is listed above or not, and you are generally feeling overwhelmed and not coping, it is important to seek help from a health professional.
Mental health issues don’t normally go away by themselves. If you leave the problem without doing anything about it, you may see increases in symptoms which can result in serious side issues. With counselling and medication, you can often get better, recover completely, and resume living a happy, full life.
Understand your medication
A mental health disorder can be managed with the correct diagnosis and medication. It’s important to understand your medication. Know what it does for the condition, any side effects, and what stopping medication suddenly, could result in.
In a Better Place Australia case study, How John was Rescued from Suicidal Thoughts, it explored John’s journey. He was living with a delusional disorder which was creating strong paranoia. He suddenly stopped taking his medication. As a result, he attempted self-harm while admitted in the emergency department of a hospital, due to the strong paranoia.
The case worker said, “It was clear that John didn’t have a great understanding of his mental illness and how that might impact his actions when he stopped taking his medication.”
Fortunately John was helped in time, and was back on effective medication. The case worker shared, “Within five months John was back at work full-time, his medication had stabilised. His paranoia had gone. He’d been able to re-engage with his friends and with his social connectedness. He’d been able to go back to basketball and watch anime with his friends, which he was not able to do when he came to us.”
Listen to the podcast of John’s story by clicking here.
Who do you see for help?
Better Place Australia (BPA) is a not-for-profit organisation with the mission to help support people through challenging times. This is done through providing various services, including helping you with your mental health and wellbeing.
The HOPE Outreach Program helps rehabilitate those who have attempted suicide. It gives personalised support one-on-one for up to three months following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis. It reconnects people with the community and their existing support networks.
The BPA family mental health support service aims to teach children and young people, their families and carers healthy coping strategies, communication skills and resilience, to prevent ongoing mental health concerns.
BPA Residential Care Psychological Services help older people who are experiencing mental health issues. It is available to older people living in participating residential care facilities in the Mornington Peninsula, North Western Melbourne and Geelong-Otway regions.
References:
Get Support
Please make an enquiry if you would like to book an appointment for one of our services. Alternatively, you can live chat with us during business hours.
