Striving for Mental Health is a Sign of Personal Strength

There are many ways to keep ourselves mentally healthy, and the avoidance of excessive use of drugs or alcohol is one of the best things that we can do. Excessive drug or alcohol use can create symptoms similar to mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or depression, and it is very difficult to tell the difference.

People who have a genetic or personal predisposition can become anxious, depressed or psychotic under stress. Heavy alcohol or drug usage can often precipitate the development and worsening of mental illness. Often people will use drugs and alcohol as a way of relieving the discomfort of the feelings of anxiety and depression or behaviors which may be inappropriate and dysfunctional.

Learning to deal with the stresses of everyday life without a dependence on drugs or alcohol or inappropriate behaviors is one of the important life lessons that we need to learn in order to cope and lead healthy and successful lives.

If you find yourself being overwhelmed by life stressors and begin to experience symptoms of psychiatric illness, you should not be afraid to seek help from a qualified mental health professional.

People often believe seeing a psychiatrist or any other type of mental health professional is a sign of weakness or means that they are “crazy”. Some people feel that seeking the help of a mental health professional is a sign of mental illness, rather than as a potential for maintaining long-term mental health.

Mental health professionals are often able to help us by pointing us in the right direction with regard to building coping skills for leading stressful lives. This type of guidance and education gives us ways that will increase our chances of success in dealing with stress, rather than allowing life’s problems to build upon themselves and worsen over time.

Contrary to what many believe, seeking professional mental help is actually a sign of good personal insight and appropriate coping.