Mental health is of importance and must never be neglected because of its vital contribution to the body system and human life. Any harm to one’s mental health directly or indirectly affects the nervous system and causes the malfunction of the brain.
Thus, adequate care must be taken, and anything that can cause harm and hurt one’s mental health must be avoided at all costs.
Avoidance and required care are nearly impossible without knowing the dangers that can cause harm to one’s mental health.
Dangers that can cause harm to one’s mental health include:
1. Substance Abuse:
This, also known as Substance Use Disorder (SUD), is the misuse of, overindulgence in, and dependence on drugs or other chemicals, including alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and even prescribed or over-the-counter medications such as opioids and analgesics. Abuse of these substances or drugs leads to total dependence and, as a result, causes malfunctions of the body systems, retrogression in mental alertness, and gradual change in mental health state. Depression and anxiety are commonly associated with substance abuse.
2. Sleep pattern:
Sleep is simply to rest in a state of reduced consciousness. It is of importance to the health and overall well-being of an individual. Sleep is essential as it helps regulate emotions and hormones, improve cognitive functions, clear toxins, merge memories and learning, and rejuvenate the body. Having a regular sleep pattern is as important as adequate nutrition; thus, must be maintained.
Sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea can affect one’s mental health causing instability, hallucinations, anxiety disorders, etc.
3. Social Isolation:
This is also known as social detachment or separation; the state of not having suitable or close relations with other people. It involves living alone, having limited social contact, difficulty with creating and keeping friendships, traumatic loss, intentional distance from people, etc. Resultants include introversion, betrayal, loss of loved ones, etc. Living in solitude or loneliness can result in mental health issues such as cognitive decline, psychosis, delusions, suicidal thoughts, etc.
4. Stress:
It is the physical, psychological, or emotional response to a perceived threat or pressure imposed on humans. Finances, academics, family, or the workplace can be a contributing factor to stress. It is often associated with mood swings, frustrations, headaches, and irritability. It could be acute, chronic, or a result of trauma. Chronic or traumatic stress causes mental exhaustion, mood swings, anxiety, sleep disorders, and cognitive impairment.
5. Emotional Imbalance:
This is an imbalance or fluctuation in a person’s internal state of being and involuntary physiological response to an object or a situation, based on sensations. It includes mood swings, emotion dysfunction, emotion reactivity, and emotion numbness. It can be a result of trauma, hormonal changes, relationship issues, genetics, financial constraints, etc. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.
Highlighted above are some of the dangers that cause harm to the mental health of an individual. Great care must be taken to avoid all these triggers and maintain a good mental state.
Mental health care is essential for the general growth and development of an individual, and proper care must be ensured. Mental health state can be improved by taking cognizance of the following:
1. Emotional intelligence:
This is the ability, capacity, or skill to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of oneself and others. It involves knowing and understanding oneself, the triggers that can disrupt regular living, and how to manage and regulate them with efficiency.
2. Self-care:
This is the practice of paying attention to the physiological, psychological, and emotional state of oneself. Giving space for breathing by engaging in activities that rejuvenate and cause relaxation, joy, and calmness such as swimming, painting, drawing, shopping spree, etc.
3. Friendly environment:
This involves having an easy relationship with friends, family, and loved ones who are generally warm, approachable, and easy to relate with in character. Seeking out a compatible relationship that gives a listening ear and a helping hand at all times.
4. Professional Help:
Seek professionals such as therapists and psychologists for education, help, or support in case of persistent triggers that can’t be controlled for immediate interventions.
Healthy living is incomplete without a stable mental state and alertness; great care must be taken and all these factors must be taken into consideration and merged into our lifestyles to build and maintain a good life.
