Let’s face it – life can get busy. Between handling responsibilities at school and/or work, managing home chores and family life, and keeping up with a social presence, your mental health may very well be the last thing on your mind (no pun intended!). Steve Aitchison is quoted saying, “Emotional pain is not something that should be hidden away and never spoken about. There is truth in your pain, there is growth in your pain, but only if it’s first brought out into the open.”
When life gets busy, sometimes we hide our most intimate, daring thoughts even from ourselves – making it all the more difficult to address appropriately. In order to try and “get rid” of unwanted feelings, we may distract ourselves by looking at our phone too much, going out every night with different people, or constantly keeping ourselves overwhelmed with work deadlines. Some of us may rely on substances to keep us “happy” – no matter what your take on this is, your mental health begins to decline the moment you start dealing with painful thoughts, feelings, and emotions in unhealthy ways.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) emphasizes the following warning signs that your mental health may be in decline:
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- Excessive worrying, sadness, irritability, and/or thoughts of suicide
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- Difficulty concentrating
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- Having trouble understanding, relating, and/or being around others
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- Changes in eating, sleeping, sex drive, and other behavioral patterns
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- Experiencing many physical ailments such as headaches or migraines, body aches, and more
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- Abusing substances in order to avoid feeling or thinking
- Inability to carry out daily tasks
The best way to combat mental illness is to take care of your mental health from the start. If you feel like your mental health has declined a lot and you’re unable to bring it back up, that’s when it’s time to obtain a diagnosis from a licensed physician and speak with a professional from a reputable treatment center about therapy and other treatment programs to help you build your recovery. It’s never too late to seek the help you need.
The Guest House Ocala specializes in the treatment of trauma, addictions, and related mental health issues. Clinical expertise, a compassionate team, and an outstanding attention to detail ensures each guest’s experience will be customized to their needs. Call us today for information on our residential treatment programs: 1-855-483-7800