In all the schools of thought regarding mental wellness… among all the therapeutic approaches and methods… there is one thing that everyone can agree on, and it is that mental health is complex.
If you have been reading my articles for a while, you can probably name a few overall health strategies that come up again and again.
Stay hydrated.
Exercise.
Mind your nutrition.
Get enough quality sleep.
Curb addictive behaviors.
Manage negative thought patterns.
I mention these strategies often because some health management techniques are universal. No matter what gender you are, how old you are, what you weigh, or what kind of mental health history you have, it will help you to take proper care of your body and your mind.
This is how I advise my patients as well. The human body and the natural world are gifts that are meant to work together to keep us healthy!
But that is not the end of the story.
As I mentioned, mental health is complex. No mental health professional will tell you that mental health is always as simple as saying, “Take care of your body and your mind and you will be fine!”… at least, no mental health professional who is being honest. Sometimes, mental health conditions need more intervention.
To illustrate, let me introduce you to “Jane.”
Jane has always been a higher-strung person. Growing up, Jane and those close to her just thought of her as having a type A personality – high standards, perfectionist, conscientious. She got good grades, achieved a lot in her extracurriculars, and had a tight-knit group of friends.
But she wasn’t just higher-strung or a perfectionist. She was also anxious – all the time. Her thoughts would race, her heart would pound, and she was chronically overwhelmed. And after high school, that anxiety turned into panic attacks, and she would often find herself paralyzed with fear.
But Jane already had many healthy habits. She would prioritize nutrient-rich foods and would often meditate to manage her thoughts, but throughout her twenties, she only found her symptoms were becoming more and more aggressive.
Here is what Jane, her family, and her friends didn’t know: she had a chemical imbalance in her brain causing her anxiety disorder.
Eventually, Jane did get this disorder diagnosed. Her healthcare team did discover the imbalance. And her doctor did prescribe medication for her to counteract it and stabilize her mood.
With the chemical imbalance corrected, Jane felt like a new woman. She was able to function normally again – go to work, spend time with friends, get back into old hobbies, without the weight of anxiety she felt before.
This gave her the confidence to learn more about her disorder and other ways to manage it – she continued her healthy habits, picked up some new ones, and found a support system now that she was not debilitated by her anxiety anymore. She discovered new stress management techniques, and with time (and her doctor’s supervision), she was even able to wean herself off of her medication.
In today’s medical climate, medicine is often sought after and given like an “easy” button, a quick feel-better fix. This is why I make sure my clients know all the choices and opportunities they have to improve their lives. But in some cases – like Jane’s – medication provides a missing piece of the puzzle that works in tandem with healthy life choices.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to mental health questions. That may make diagnosing, treating, and recovering more difficult, but what is complicated about humanity can remind us what is beautiful about humanity, if we allow it to!
If you are feeling unwell, talk to your physician about your options – we are here to make sure you are living your best life!
Make today your masterpiece!
Florina
P.S. If you received this article from a friend, and not from me – Dr. Florina Lungu – directly, congratulations! That means there are (at least!) two of us who care deeply that you are at your healthiest. Hopefully, this article has found you well. 🙂
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