Mental health refers to the degree of mental health or mental illness, if any. It is the condition of a person that is “functioning in an acceptable level of functional and behavioral adjustment with the help of appropriate treatment.” It includes the ability to function with normal day to day living. The level of mental health varies from individual to individual and can be influenced by the individual’s genetic background, age, education, gender, and a number of other factors. The most common mental illnesses include depression, anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia among others.
Mental health is determined through various methods. A person’s clinical assessment can determine his/her mental health status. In this process, a psychologist will take note of various symptoms and evaluate the condition to identify if the patient is suffering from a mental disorder. A mental health professional can also carry out a mental health history to find out about the history of past mental conditions of the patient. In the field of psychology, psychologists are experts in the field of mental health and in dealing with patients and their issues. Psychologists also carry out researches on a variety of topics regarding mental health.
Mental health can be categorized into two types: acute and chronic. The term “acute” describes a condition that lasts for less than one year while the term “chronic” describes one that last for more than one year. Acute mental illnesses often have no cure and usually require a patient to undergo therapy, medication, and or therapy and medication. Chronic mental illnesses, on the other hand, require a patient to undergo medication for many years until the condition becomes normal again. Usually, the main reason for the condition to progress to a chronic mental illness is due to a prolonged amount of stress. The treatments for these mental illnesses are different from those for acute conditions. Many mental health professionals include psychotherapy, medications, and therapies as the treatments for chronic conditions.
