This is, of course, a blog about mental health. We cover the symptoms of mental health disorders, offer thoughts on how best to address those disorders, provide information and instructions for a variety of coping techniques, and more. Most importantly, we encourage you to seek out effective, evidence-based treatment options if you are struggling with a mental health challenge.
From time to time, we also talk about your physical health and its close connection to your mental wellbeing. We have noted that eating healthfully, exercising regularly, and sleeping restfully provide benefits for both kinds of health—making those practices essential to any effort toward improved wellness.
In this post, however, we want to use ideas related to your physical health to get a better understanding of your mental health. We think this is important because all too often people—perhaps including you—do not take steps to improve their mental health even when they absolutely would take such steps if their physical health was compromised.
Let’s start with a consideration of what you would—and would not—do if you broke your arm.
You Would Not Ignore a Broken Arm
A broken arm is nobody’s idea of a good time. In fact, it is the kind of injury that would no doubt have you hustling to a doctor’s office or hospital to get immediate and expert care.
Here, on the other hand, are some things you probably would not do if you broke your arm:
- Spend a lot of time thinking about the causes of your broken arm—perhaps concluding that those causes are such that you do not really need to pursue care
- Consider various “cures” for broken arms that you have seen online or heard about from your friends—perhaps trying those out instead of heading to a medical professional
- Worry about whether your friends, family, and others might judge you for getting help for a broken arm
- Attempt to behave as though your arm is not actually broken
In the context of a broken arm, each of those reactions seems quite silly, right? Indeed, if you broke your arm, the odds are high that none of those thoughts would enter your mind. But when it comes to mental health challenges, some folks do exactly the kinds of things listed above rather than pursuing actual treatment.
That is due, in part, to the ongoing stigmatization of mental health disorders. Too many people have internalized the idea that a mental health issue is something to be ashamed of or is something you can address all on your own if you just have enough character, willpower, or faith. And since a mental health disorder does not always present itself with the urgency of a broken arm, it can be tempting to try to keep your struggle private.
We would argue, first and foremost, that working toward ending the stigma around mental health disorders would be in everyone’s best interest. After all, many, many people struggle with their mental health but do not get the help they need because they feel embarrassment or shame. That just leads to worsening mental health problems—an outcome that does not serve anyone.
But societal issues aside, our argument boils down to this: You would not wait to get care for a physical health problem that is upending your life, and you should not wait to get care for a mental health problem that is doing the same.
The Right Kind of Care Is Important
If you went to the doctor after breaking your arm and your physician prescribed an ointment and an antibiotic but did not put your arm in a cast or provide any pain medication, you would know something was wrong. When you pursue care, you trust that the medical professionals you interact with will know how best to treat your specific problem.
You should feel the same level of confidence about those who provide mental health care. But what does appropriate care for mental health look like? Generally speaking, the most effective approach to addressing a mental health disorder is a combination of medication and talk therapy. Your primary care physician can be a good place to start, and they may be able to point you toward other caregivers in your community who help people address the symptoms and underlying causes of mental health disorders.
We Are Always Here to Help
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View Behavioral Health is dedicated to helping people restore a sense of balance to their lives so they can once again embrace a spirit of hope for the future. Our work is grounded in evidence-based practices, high levels of expertise, years of experience, and a spirit of empathy. We provide inpatient and outpatient care options and can also effectively address a dual diagnosis involving the entanglement of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder.
We understand that it can be tempting to hope a mental health challenge will just take care of itself. But just as you would not expect a broken arm to take care of itself, you should not leave your mental health untreated. If you are ready to make a change, we are ready to help.
