All About Mental Health Problems and How to Overcome Them with Psychological Therapy & Counselling

What are Mental Health Problems?

Mental health problems are also referred to as mental health illnesses or mental disorders and can affect a person’s thinking, emotions, behaviour or overall well-being.

These conditions can range in severity and can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, environmental factors, biology and life experiences.

The symptoms can vary depending on the specific condition but may include changes in mood, thoughts, behaviour and physical health.

There are many effective treatments available, including mental health counselling, medication and lifestyle changes, that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

By and large, mental health problems respond positively to psychological therapies.

What Causes Mental Health Problems?

The causes of mental health problems can be genetic, environmental or lifestyle factors including:

• Genetics: Some problems may have a genetic component.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to factors such as trauma, abuse, neglect, or stressful life events can increase your risk.
• Substance abuse: Drugs and alcohol, can disrupt brain chemistry.
• Chronic medical conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
• Hormonal changes: Changes during pregnancy, menopause, or puberty.
• Social and cultural factors: Factors such as poverty, discrimination and social isolation.

On the other hand, it is important to note that mental health problems are not caused by personal weakness or a lack of willpower.

Common Symptoms of Mental Health Problems

Symptoms can vary widely depending on the specific problem or condition you may be experiencing.

There are, however, some common symptoms that you might experience regardless of the type of mental health problem, including:

• Feeling sad, worthless or hopeless – commonly seen in Depression.
• Anxiety, worry or fear.
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
• Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
• Fatigue or lack of energy.
• Mood swings or irritability.
• Social withdrawal or isolation (Social Anxiety).
• Physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomach aches.
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

It’s important to note that experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have mental health problems.

There can be perfectly normal and rational reasons to explain any of these symptoms without there being a problem.

However, if your symptoms persist or interfere with your ability to get on with day-to-day life, then you should consider getting in touch.

Different Types of Mental Health Problems

Mental health problems tend to be classified in accordance with a person’s day-to-day experiences, including:

• Anxiety problems: These conditions includes generalised anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and OCD. People with anxiety issues may experience excessive and persistent worry, fear or panic.
• Mood problems: This category includes depression, bipolar disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. People with mood problems may experience periods of intense sadness or feelings of euphoria.
• Eating problems: This category includes conditions such as body dysmorphic diorder, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. People with eating issues may experience extreme and unhealthy patterns of eating, as well as distorted body image.
• Personality problems: These are long-term patterns of behaviour and thought that can cause difficulties in relationships and other areas of life. Examples include borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder.
• Substance use and abuse: These conditions involve the misuse of drugs or alcohol which can lead to physical and mental health problems.
• Psychotic problems: These conditions involve a loss of touch with reality, such as schizophrenia and delusions. Symptoms may include hallucinations and disorganised thinking and behaviour.

In addition to those listed above, people can experience psychological problems in relation to any aspect of their lives.

Counselling & Therapy for Mental Health Problems

When people talk about treatment for mental health problems they are referring to the resources, services and interventions that are available to help individuals manage and improve their mental health and well-being.

Mental health therapy can take many forms, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), counselling, medication, self-help techniques, peer support groups and access to mental health professionals.

The goal of mental health treatment is to provide individuals with the tools and resources they need to manage their mental health problems and improve overall wellness.

Treatments can be provided by a variety of professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counsellors.

Effective treatment takes into account an individual’s unique needs, preferences and circumstances and may involve a combination of different approaches to achieve the best outcome.

Al things considered, here at Lee Psychology we prefer to tackle mental health problems using psychological talking therapies.

Arrange your FREE initial consultation here.

If you’d like to find out more about overcoming or recovering from any of your mental health problems then why not arrange a free initial consultation with us.

During this consultation we will discuss your particular issues and the different types of mental health counselling we offer without you having to commit to any counselling going forward.

We understand that it can be difficult to talk to people about personal problems, but try to remember asking for help is a strength, NOT a weakness.

The consultation lasts around 50 minutes and is a great opportunity to meet with either Paul or Joan and decide if you would like to proceed with any support.