What Mental Health Means
In this day and age, we have become fond of the term “mental health”. There’s a mental health awareness month and celebrities engage in openly sharing their mental health struggles online. The bravery to share is applauded, but the focus on mental health as a disease is still incredibly narrow.
So, what exactly does mental health mean? How do you “have” it? How come someone does not?
Mental health is defined as “[…] the overall wellness of how you think, regulate your feelings and behave.” according to Mayo Clinic.
When your ability to think and function in your everyday life is impaired because of your behavioral, thought or emotional patterns, mental health disorders might be spoken of. This can affect every aspect of your life: Your relationships with friends and family, for instance. Or maybe you feel unable to cope in social settings, in school or at work, maybe you are having difficulties learning anything new, or even participate in life.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association defines mental health disorders according to sets of criteria that serve mental health professionals like psychiatrists for making a diagnosis.
But not everything regarding mental health issues is so clear-cut. What’s considered normal in one culture might be considered absolutely disruptive. So, labeling something as a disorder is quite a murky zone. Society, social settings and expectations and cultural norms in your environment play a big role in measuring and deciding what is considered to be normal or problematic, acceptable or insane (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
As I mentioned in my recent blog “what is trauma?”, the definitions and criteria published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) are limited. They do not embrace the whole human experience, but rather provide one view on the topic of mental health issues. There is a quest for finding the what, but not the why. Once you have a label, you “have” depression, you “have” anxiety. And the experience you are having is being treated as a disease that is to be controlled and managed, often with medication. Along with these labels comes a big load of shame for many, which is why a lot of us still avoid seeking help when we struggle in our lives.
Now what if you asked yourself why?
What if you dared to look at your experience through a lens that held space for both compassion and curiosity towards yourself? This shift opens up a universe of possibilities, because you create room for communication with yourself when you have the courage to reflect on your life. Seeing all that is working well and all that is not. This personal investigation includes your nutrition, movement and exercise, your sleep, your relationships to yourself and others, your stress sources and levels, what you do on a daily basis and how you feel about what you do, your environment. I have many clients who realize how normal their experience is considering abnormal circumstances.
Taking inventory of your life like that opens up doors for healing profoundly, because it does not blame, but understands. You might learn that you are not inherently dysfunctional, but instead you are deficient in essential nutrients for mental wellbeing, like essential fatty acids, vitamin D or magnesium. Or maybe, you realize that you have blood sugar imbalances or lack protein in your diet. Maybe you rarely move your body. Maybe your sleep is disrupted and has been for years. Maybe you do not have time for yourself, ever. Many of us have been through traumatizing experiences in the past that still linger in the body, easily triggered, causing all of the symptoms and thoughts we are experiencing.
Changes in the way you live and nurture yourself are shown to improve your mental health effectively, as proven by a recent study.
When you ask “why” you can find comprehensive solutions that empower you to take better care of yourself and change your life. Looking at yourself as a whole being broadens your perspective and your possibilities for healing. This is where the journey begins.
Mental health then may be a part of the whole, an expression of a life in balance. And instead of having a disorder, you can move on to understanding which of your needs are not met, what you need to get to the root and heal holistically.
If you are looking for comprehensive support on your healing journey through a holistic lens, my online course The Journey provides you with empowering knowledge and tools on healing holistically from trauma. This course integrates nutrition, sleep, habits and lifestyle with tools for self-regulation, grounding and releasing and more to support you as you make your way back to a life in balance.
If you are looking for even more individual support, connect with me and sign up for 1-on-1 coaching with me.
Sources
Mayo Clinic “Mental health: What's normal, what's not”, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/mental-health/art-20044098
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