Being healthy from a mental point of view is as important as keeping your body in shape. Nowadays, there is a trend that encourages mostly the practices for maintaining a healthy body, while the mind is left on the second place. Even so, mental illnesses are a reality and not few are those that suffer from affections that involve the mind and the soul. There is one more important thing to say on the part of the mental health: a healthy body cannot be maintained without a healthy mind.
A difficulty that is often encountered when dealing with mental illnesses consists of the lack of very clear symptoms. When we suffer from a physical ailment, we often confront ourselves with all kinds of signs. We know that if something hurts, we must see the doctor or take a medical examination. But when our soul hurts, things are not quite as simple. Even so, feeling sad or depressed for days may be a sign of alarm, especially if there are no reasons why we should feel that way.
Depression is one of the most widespread mental ailments. It is not very serious if it is given the proper attention. Taking medication under the doctor’s supervision and following a healthy way of life can lead to notable improvements in the patient’s mental health.
Other very common mental illnesses are phobias. There are many kinds of phobia, some more serious, some less. A phobia consists of an irrational fear connected to even the more mundane things. Some people are afraid of open spaces; others cannot get into an elevator. Fear of crowds, fear of spiders and fear of driving are just examples of phobias. Some people can live with phobias without interrupting their lives, while some can get to the point of being incapable of interaction with other human beings or leading a healthy life. Fortunately, phobias can be treated through medication and therapy.
Most of the time, the role of noticing that a person is suffering from depression or other mental illnesses belongs to the family. The afflicted man or woman can develop some strange habits, like eating too much or too little, disorganized sleep or anger outbursts when least expected. In such cases, the relatives must take the patient to a doctor in order to take the proper medication and live a healthy life like everybody else.
The suffering person may respond differently to treatments. The doctor may try different medications until finding out what is the best for the patient. After that, things become clearer and the patient can enjoy a healthier life.
Also, the patient’s relatives must work with the doctor in order to assure the ill person a proper environment to get healthy. The family can provide the suffering man or woman the proper care and understanding during the treatment. Because some of the illnesses involve long treatments and therapy, the family’s support and love are very important for the patient. The afflicted person can cope better with the ailment when feeling surrounded by loving and caring friends and family. As mental illnesses belong to the mind and the soul, within lies the strength of overcoming them and that can only be done in a friendly and supporting environment.