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Your Health › Mental Health

Mental Health

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. It affects how you think, feel, and act, and how you handle stress, anxiety, and moods. Talk to your doctor to explore the most suitable option for your mental health needs.

man meditating

What is Mental Health?

Your mental well-being may affect many aspects of your life, from small moments of anxiety or seasonal depression to regular, more frequent occurrences.

When feeling stressed or anxious, your brain will involuntarily dysfunction. Stress interrupts regular brain patterns called synaptic connections, which are the actual physical connections between the neurons in your brain. When those connections are disrupted, your brain struggles to manage all of the incoming messages from the world around you. As a result, mental health conditions may affect day-to-day life.

 

Feelings of depression, anxiety, stress, bad habits, and even lack of purpose are genuine, and may be introduced during certain points of your life. Talk to your mental healthcare provider about overwhelming feelings and seek help that may fit your needs.

 

Did you know…

1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year, which is about 52 million people in the US.

Resource: National Alliance on Mental Illness

Learn More

Some possible mental health conditions or illnesses may include:

Anxiety Disorders

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States with over 40 million adults diagnosed. These include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias, and other mood disorders.

Symptoms include:

  • Having a persistent, excessive fear or worry
  • Feelings of apprehension​
  • Feeling tense or jumpy
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger
  • Pounding or racing heart​
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating, tremors, and twitches
  • Headaches, fatigue, and insomnia
  • Upset stomach, frequent urination, or diarrhea

Depression or Depressive Disorder

Related to anxiety, more than 19 million adults in the United States experience at least one major depressive episode in a year. It is more than feeling sad or going through a rough patch. Rather, it is a condition that requires understanding and medical care. Causes may include trauma, genetics, life circumstances, brain changes, drug and alcohol misuse, and other medical conditions.

Symptoms include:

  • Changes in sleep or fatigue
  • Changes in appetite, either eating more or less or weight changes
  • Lack of focus and energy
  • Feelings of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts
  • Physical aches and pains
  • Changes in movement
  • Loss of interest in activities

Other Mental Health Disorders

Other mental health disorders include bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).