10 FACTORS AFFECTING MENTAL HEALTH
Depression is a condition of mental health which is complex. It is a type of mood disorder. In addition, a person goes through sadness or hopelessness. He may have a persistent low mood causes a person to have low mood. Well, we don't know which factor exactly affects the mental health of a person suffering from depression. These factors are of various types. Depression occurs by the interaction of psychological, social and biological factors. A combination of these factors can affect the positive mental health of people and lead to illness. Moreover, awareness of the factors affecting mental health can prevent an individual from leading to depression.
Factors Affecting Mental Health:
Factors affecting mental health are as follows:
1. Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is a good feeling of a person about himself. Moreover, he thinks that other people like and accept him. People with low self-esteem will have negative feeling and thoughts about themselves which contributes towards factors affecting mental health. Low-self esteem will lead a person towards the tendency of developing depression.
2. Feeling Loved and Accepted
Ignorance or neglect of people by their parents, class fellows, neighbours and family members can affect people. In addition, they are more likely to suffer from depression compared to people who are loved by all of them. A feeling of being loved and accepted by others gives a person feelings of security and confidence.
3. Confidence
People having low self-confidence are more likely to develop depression. Therefore, people should be encouraged to develop a strong self- confidence. Above all, it will contribute towards productivity and help them to lead a happy and successful life.
4. Family Breakup, Loss or Conflict
Death of a loved one for instance parents, siblings, spouse or a close friend or divorce or separation of a couple or conflict between them is a stressful situation for a person. In other words, it is difficult to cope up and it can ultimately lead towards depression. Moreover, a person going through all these problems should consult a counselor or a psychologist for professional help.
5. Physical Ill-Health
A person who is physically unhealthy suffering from any terminal disease will be unable to achieve his goals. It will bring about changes in the brain chemicals of a person. Moreover, it will lead to low self-esteem and unhappiness that will lead to depression. Therefore, we cannot say that chemical imbalance is the only major factor that can cause depression. In addition, severe life stressors, substances you may take (some medications, drugs and alcohol), genetic vulnerability and medical conditions can affect the way your brain regulates your moods.
6. Childhood Abuse
Abused children are more likely to develop depression. It may include psychological, physical, verbal or sexual. It is difficult for a child to tolerate abuse. He will internalize it and develop negative feelings and thoughts within himself. Moreover, it can cause feelings of aggression, frustration, intolerance, low self-confidence, low self-esteem and lead a child towards unhappiness. Above all, a child should be helped to get rid of all these negative feelings by trusting others and giving him protection and security.
7. Sleep Disturbance
It includes the disturbance of circadian rhythm. For instance, if a person is unable to have a proper good sleep, he may develop the symptoms of depression. Moreover, it is believed that a type of depressive disorder “seasonal affective disorder” is caused by this disturbance.
8. Un-Employment
A person who is unemployed feels worthless and helpless due to the lack of any financial resources or income. Therefore, he remains unhappy all the time and can also develop suicide ideation. He is at great risk to develop the symptoms of depression.
9. Substance Abuse
People who use drugs or alcohol in a large quantity are more likely to develop symptoms of depression. Researches have proved this by conducting several types of research. Above all, finding out that people with substance abuse are more likely to develop major depressive and other types of disorders.
10. Genetics
A history of depression in the family, for instance a father, mother or any identical twin is suffering from depression, after that it is more likely for a child to develop depression at any stage of life.
Learn how to say no
If you set boundaries in your personal and professional life, it will prevent you from depression and help you to feel good and happy.
Conclusion
Take care of yourself
Symptoms of depression can be improved if you take care of yourself. In other words, having proper sleep, avoiding negative people, eating a healthy diet and taking part in activities that you enjoy.
All the above-mentioned are the factors affecting the mental health of a person suffering from depression. If a person wants to get rid of the development of depression, he should be aware of all the above-mentioned factors. This will help him to develop all these factors positively and cope up with all these stressful situations in life. In addition, he should also seek the help of a professional if things are out of his control. He should consult a physician, a doctor, a counselor or a clinical psychologist.
Preventing depression
It is difficult for a person to prevent depression as there is not a single factor that contribute towards causes of depression. Therefore, it is not an easy task to recognize its exact cause. Firstly, if you go through mild, moderate or severe episodes of depression, it will prepare you to prevent yourself from getting depression again. Secondly, it can be practiced by changing your daily lifestyle or following the treatment plan as prescribed by your health professional.
Techniques which will help you to get away from depression may include:
Exercise on a daily basis
Taking a proper sleep
Treatment plans
Stress reduction
Healthy and strong relationships
Avoid taking drugs or alcohol
Avoiding the bad company of friends
Overcoming stressful life events in a positive way
Protect your child from cyber-bullying by developing an intimate relationship
Protect your child from getting victims of child abuse by developing an intimate relationship
Help your child in building self-confidence
Help your child in raising his self-esteem
Stop criticizing your child or comparing him with other children
Stop neglecting your child and giving him a quality time
References
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5), Fifth edition. 2013.
Association, A. T. (2016). Factors affectig mental health. Retrieved from can we talk?: https://canwetalk.ca/about-mental-illness/factors-affecting-mental-health/
Kessler, RC, et al. Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in
the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry.
2005;62(6):593602. http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=208678
National Institute of Mental Health. (Data from 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and
Health.) www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/major-depression-among-
adults.shtml