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If you're like most of us, you go outside yourself for answers when you're going through a difficult period, experiencing disturbing symptoms, or need to make some life adjustments. And you will discover that many individuals are eager to guide you, make decisions for you, and act on your behalf. You can seek help from your spouse or another family member, friends, co-workers, a religious or spiritual adviser, a counselor or therapist, a medical doctor, or medical experts such as a psychiatrist, a nutritionist, or an acupuncturist – the list is endless. While many of these persons may be able to offer some assistance, knowledge, or direction, you may neglect the most crucial authority — yourself. If you ignore your inner direction as a source of knowledge, your actions may be counterproductive.
What Can I Do For My Mental Health?
If you look for how to treat mental illness on the internet, you'll find a lot of information on meds and treatment. That also applies to; drugs and therapy are significant components of many people's treatment. However, both require the assistance of a specialist. This might give the impression that your mental health is in someone else's hands. Fortunately, there are numerous things you can do to take charge of your mental health.
1. Educate Yourself
Learn everything there is to know about the subject or issues at hand. Make sure what you're learning feels correct to you as you study. Remember, just because it is in a book by a well-known author or on a website does not imply it is correct or appropriate for you. For example, many people with psychiatric diagnoses are told that they will never recover, that they will never be able to have children, that they will never be able to be in an intimate relationship, that they will never be able to attend college, or that they will never be able to pursue their desired career. Education will enable you to form your own opinions on each problem. You may decide that you disagree with the diagnosis or that no one can diagnose you with anything. You might choose to conceive of your symptoms as emotions rather than diagnoses.
2. Make a Treatment Plan
There are several therapy methods available for mental health disorders. Here are several examples:
- Therapy (group or individual)
- Medication.
- Groups of support (online or in-person)
- Changes in lifestyle, such as getting more sleep, eating foods that make you feel better, and doing more activity.
- Journaling about herbal supplements
- Learning how to reframe negative beliefs
Some of these, such as drugs and treatment, need collaboration with a specialist. However, many of these are things you can perform on your own. The majority of people will benefit from a mix of therapies.
You're building together a treatment plan as you test out different therapies and determine which ones work and which don't. This does not have to be official; it can just be a mental note of what works and what does not.
The most effective therapies are those that:
3. Choose What You Want
Most mental health therapies are time-consuming. Suppose you're having difficulty sticking with your therapy. In that case, you have two choices: discover ways to be more consistent (such as using an app to track your behaviors) or locate another treatment that you're more likely to keep with.
4. Have Faith
Anyone who offers therapy to you should be able to explain why. You don't need to understand all of the scientific aspects of how it works (unless you find it fascinating!), but studying before trying something new is a good idea.
Complement One Another
There are several causes and symptoms of mental diseases. Many therapies target only one or two of them. Combining therapies that target several causes or symptoms can allow you to cover all of your bases.
5. Openness To New Ideas
Something that used to operate well may have a different impact. You could also discover a new treatment that you'd like to try. Maintain your adaptability and openness to new ideas!
6. Journaling
The practice of writing might help you comprehend how you truly feel about something. Refrain from being concerned about your handwriting or punctuation. Fill in the blanks with whatever you're thinking or feeling. It can be imperfect. It may all be imagination. It might be thoughts, feelings, emotional expressions, ideas, goals, or anything else you wish. You are not obligated to show it to anyone if you do not choose to. Others should respect the confidentiality of your work. When you have time, reread your writings.
7.Putting Together a Therapy Team
You are not required to devise your treatment plan. A mental health expert, such as a doctor or therapist, can assist you. You can also seek assistance from your support system, which includes friends, family members, and any online or in-person support groups you participate in.
These poeple can provide the advice you would have thought of. They may hold you accountable and urge you to stay in your treatment plan.
Putting together your treatment team might take some time. Some of those persons may appear and disappear over time. But it's your team—you get to decide who gets in. Remembering this can make all the difference in feeling in control of your mental health.
8. Don't be too hard on yourself.
Every day, your best might look different. Accepting this one thing may take years, but once you do, it will be a game changer. Try journaling your thoughts before starting your day on some days.
9. Open Up to Listeners
A competent doctor or therapist will make you an equal participant in your therapy. They will consider your suggestions and treat your concerns carefully. If you believe your doctor or therapist is not listening to you, you may always seek the advice of another professional.
Doctors may be better knowledgeable about how pharmaceuticals function and what works best for the bulk of their patients. However, you are the authority on your own experiences. Mental wellness is incredibly individual! What works for one person may not work for another. Mental health specialists can be an important component of your treatment team.
