What Causes Mental Health Issues?
Understanding this together.
After my very long milestone, a lot of reflecting, and deep diary enteries, I noticed one question popping up very often. Why do I have to go through this? Why am I having these mental issues? Also, I wondered if I was the only one dealing with this, since no one around me spoke about things like this!
I was really obsessed with finding out why it hit me. I felt punished. Why was I the one who had to deal with this? Am I so sick? Do I have issues that are actually deeper? How will I find out? Who can tell me?
I continued writing about my mental health journey, trying to find some gaps or holes which could help me understand this better.
When I started talking very openly about this with the right approach and the things that I learned, I found out that there are many people in my circle who suffer, too.
Mental health issues seemed to be normal all of a sudden. Many people told me how imbalanced they felt. One of my co-workers even explained to me how important it is to her to see a therapist, even though she's more than happy and balanced - it's for prevention.
When I realized that many people suffer as well, I was finally able to have a different relationship with my mental health.
All of a sudden my shift focused. I wasn't ashamed of it anymore. I was proud of my journey, knowing that I am one of many who went through something and now I am on this beautiful transition and path of healing.
And what does healing actually mean? I am not broken and need to be fixed, I didn't hurt myself and need my wounds to heal... healing is basically living life in my world. With healing, I am learning and studying my surroundings, appreciating the good and bad things, and just figuring it out! Vibing, but not being mad at myself when I happen to have a bad day.
I enjoy healing a lot and life can throw any shade at me - I kinda know how to handle it now.
Am I still curious to find out why this all happened to me? Yes. I want to study this a bit further to write this story today. Personally, I feel fine right now, but I know that there are people out there who find themselves in the situation where I found myself in the past. Asking yourself too many questions. What is happening here? Parents might wonder as well! Why is my child feeling this way?
Today I want to share some thoughts on the causes of mental health issues.
Just know that there are millions of different triggers and people always react differently. Don't feel bad about it - it's just a waste of time. Go through this process, learn and grow. You might feel a lot, you might be overwhelmed, you might cry or your body reacts weird, but always remember that this is a big life lesson that will always lead to something way more positive - a transition that will lead you to a better self and happy being!
Finding the exact cause or indicator might be the toughest thing when it comes to mental health issues.
I know the feeling when you spend months, maybe also years researching about how everything actually started. It might frustrate you, but it can also worsen the symptoms as well, since you will analyze everything further and deeper.
So should we just accept this situation and move on?
Well, know that mental health issues could be coming from:
psychological source
environmental influence
or a simply related source, the DNA.
A self-analysis is okay, I did the same and did my math, but the real origin is something that could be connected to so many things.
What is even more important than the cause are the signs or symptoms you show. Dealing with this for the first time, you might not know or notice what your body is telling or showing you. Once you know what is going on and in what situation you react differently than usually, you can work on this way better and easily.
You might feel a tension in your body, stiffness, muscle spasms, cramps. Anxiety — you get nervous about things, being super alert, you might react a bit sensitive or more emotional, you basically feel much harder and deeper. This could also lead to daily limitations, sleep issues, demotivation, no lust, no drive, no appetite. Migraines become your best friend. The list is long and your symptoms could be basically anything! I know that's hard...
Especially during the Corona pandemic, we all tend to feel a bit differently which causes a lot of mental stress which we might have never experienced before. Loneliness, a job loss connected depression, social anxiety, or simple anxiety about the world and what is going on.
Experiencing this for the first time is always hard and it might turn your world upside down. Remember that you are not alone and there's always a way to work on this.
Yes, this will cost you a lot of energy and emotions, but many people I know with mental health issues come out stronger and better afterwards.
But what if I don't want to go through all of those symptoms every time? What if I don't want it to get that far?
There are definitely ways to feel more zen on a daily basis by handling your triggers better. I can't say that you can take fully control of your symptoms, but with the right care, you can surely decide in which direction you are going.
To always be on a safe track, make sure to go to regular doctor appointments to get a full body check
Talk to an expert: see a therapist and open your heart - even if it's just for prevention
Find a person with whom you can talk about anything - your mood, feelings, angst. It's not healthy to keep everything to yourself!
Start a journal to analyze yourself better! Understanding moods and feelings is the key ~
A LOT OF SELF-CARE: take your time, be active, slow down, and practice special moments with yourself only. Go after your hobbies, practice self-care, eat healthy, sleep a lot and create a regular sleep routine - take naps if you feel better, and listen to your body closely.
With these little things, you will notice fastly when your mood or feelings change. As soon as you feel a change, you definitely know what to do and how to invest a positive input to not go through a bad phase again.
I know this is easier said than done, but the good thing is that one day, you will have the right practice and understand this much better. You can't learn all of these things in 5 days. It took me years to understand and especially learn this, but as I said it 7 times already today: it made me so much better and wiser.
Yes, mental health issues aren't that sexy, but also I don't want to miss my body's reaction to my environment. I learned to take better care of myself and my journey of healing is getting sweeter and sweeter.
I hope today's little story time could help you a little bit. Please don't forget that we are all in this together! Most importantly, when you feel like you can't do this anymore by yourself, make sure to get professional help. Always get help from someone who knows more about this than you!
Sometimes other perspectives help, but more often, a doctor can surely help you to deal with whatever you are going through.
If something like suicide is on your mind: know that this life is way too precious for this bs. I've been through this, too. Please get help here as well and make sure to open up to someone close you trust. There are also plenty of hotlines and websites which offer a lot of help.
Let's finally make mental health a normal topic. Let's exchange. Let's learn.
Again, I am not a doctor, but I like to share things from my own journey!
If you want to know some more about my personal experiences, you can always contact me!
Happy healing!