Our brains are complex and not fully understood, even with our advanced technology and image processing. The power of our brains is easy to attest, however – just look at what we have built up collectively. It seems only right that an entity so powerful can also tip the scales backwards. Everyone can have a mental illness. These illnesses can be brought on by a chemical imbalance, due to exterior factors, or crop up due to past trauma.
Mental illness is unique in the sense that, though illnesses often act the same and can be treated with similar medications and therapies, there is no one right path. A mental illness isn’t caused by a virus that can be killed with a specific antibody. Your mental wellbeing is complex, and if you don’t feel anything other than content and at east with your life no matter what you do, there may very well be an underlying cause.
To address your mental illness, it is important to follow these steps:
-
Be Aware of the Full Scope of Mental Illnesses
Read up and familiarise yourself with mental illness. It is the best way to benefit from early detection and to understand the causes of these illnesses so that you don’t blame yourself for your perceived shortcomings.
-
You Don’t Have to Wait Until You Are “Sick Enough”
It is also a mistake to assume that your mental health can only be treated if you are sick enough. If everyone went during the start of their illness, before it became a plague in their life, they would have a faster and easier recovery. Shame, of course, and a feeling of failure can stop you from doing this, especially if everyone around you doesn’t seem to have a problem.
Eating disorders, for example, can be difficult to spot. You might think in your head you are just on a diet, but the compulsion towards eating and the repulsion of your body may indicate a more serious issue. That is why going to treatment centres like Eden Treatment when you first suspect you have an eating disorder is so important.
-
Remind Yourself Every Day it is a Disease Not a Personal Failure
A disease will wreak havoc on your body with or without your permission, and it is important to see your mental illness in the same way. It is only by seeking out help and trying out different treatments can you get to the root of the issue. The disease is not your fault, but you will need to be brave enough to seek out help so that you may overcome it.
-
Find Specialised Treatment as Necessary
Seeking out professionals who specialise in your mental illness is going to be the key to your success, as there are many nuances to mental health and having a specialist who is familiar with all of them can help improve your rate and speed of recovery.
-
Don’t Rush Your Treatment
Don’t rush your treatment. Disorders that require inpatient treatment in particular only work if the patient in question goes through the full regimen. Eating disorders, for example, require you to complete the full inpatient treatment plan in order to be effective.
