Everything from your sleep habits to diet to exercise can impact your health. Although we tend to focus on the physical strength of our body, there’s a second aspect of your health to take into consideration that is how you think, feel and behave. They are related to your behavior and mental well-being.
Although many people tend to employ these terms interchangeably, there are subtle distinctions in diagnosing and treating mental health issues. There are different strategies to addressing issues with regard to behavioral health as opposed to mental health.
If you’re interested to better understanding your own mental health or helping others gain control of their own, you’ll benefit from understanding the distinction between the two concepts. Join us as we explore the distinctions and the most common ailments as well as careers and treatments that go along with both.
What is the difference between these terms?
Unexpectedly, the state of the health of a person’s behavioral is more to do particular actions that people make. It’s how they behave to various situations. Two people with similar emotions can respond in different ways. Mental health however is more connected with feelings and thoughts. It’s pretty particular to the biological factors that impact the state of our mind.
While the two subjects are very similar but they are distinct. When we look at each area in study, it may be beneficial to think of mental health as being part of the larger behavioral health umbrella.
The distinction between behavioral health and. the mental state: identifying the most common conditions
It’s hard to discuss mental or behavioral health without examining certain conditions that are related to it. Let’s begin by discussing mental health. Here are a few of the most well-known and common mental health issues that have been identified by the Alvarado parkway Institute.
Common mental health illnesses:
- Depression is known by its name as an affliction of the mood that makes people feel depleted and weighed down. There are many types of depression that are referred to as such as seasonal affective and postpartum however, they all affect people’s daily lives.
- The condition known as generalized anxiety is an additional level above the regular anxiety. For a few people, that feeling of anxiety may persist and cause problems in daily life due to repetitive worry as well as problems with sleep and concentration. In some instances it may escalate to panic disorder.
- Bipolar condition is characterised by mood swings of depression or extreme hyperactivity. Similar to other mental health issues with varying levels of bipolar disorder and not all suffer in the same manner.
- Schizophrenia is a rare condition that is known for its ability to cause people to lose contact with reality, and suffer from symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions or repeated thoughts.
Negative behavior isn’t the only thing that can be associated with mental health problems. The majority of people suffering from depression, for example has sleep issues. But not everyone develops a behavioral disorder. If a specific, consistent behavior that is beyond the boundaries of a normal mental illness becomes detrimentally impact someone, it can become an illness that usually requires a more specific approach to treatment. Here’s a look at a few typical behavioral disorders.
Common behavioral disorders:
- Addiction to substances often occurs when individuals typically misuse substances to treat or manage issues that are already present. Although it might appear to work for a short period however, it eventually leads to a worsening of the issue and eventually becomes a problem of its own. Based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.7 million American adults had a substance-related disorder in 2023.
- Addiction to gambling is like substance abuse. Research suggests that it triggers the reward system in the brain to increase the production of dopamine, which creates an urge to indulge in dangerous actions. It can also cause withdrawal if the psychological high doesn’t occur.
- self-injury is usually linked to depression and dissociation However, some experts in psychology believe that the tendency to hurt oneself is more related to a negative self-image. The distinction between this type of behavior and from depression can have a significant impact on the path to treatment and its potential for recovery.
- Eating disorder include anorexia nervosa and the bulimia nervosa disorder, and binge eating. They can also cause serious medical issues however they can also trigger a distinct range of mental illness problems that are a result of self-image obsession and a lack of control.
Effective and collaborative treatment options to address psychological problems
Each patient’s treatment needs to be tailored to the individual and there are a myriad of factors to consider when deciding which plan is the best. The most effective approach usually involves a team of professionals working together to assess every aspect of the patient’s health. Only then can they suggest interventions that could comprise medication, group therapy psychotherapy, as well as other forms of treatment. The term comorbidity, as used by health professionals, which is the presence of more than two health conditions simultaneously is possibly the most important factor to think about when it comes to the treatment of mental and behavioral health.
If someone is suffering from anxiety and depression For instance it will not do them any good if the counselor just addresses their depression. The same problem arises when a counselor only tries to change the addictive behavior. This requires a two-pronged approach.
The field of psychology offers many career options. Many psychologists are skilled in something that is particularly with the behavioral or mental health.
The most common mental health professionals:
- licensed therapy for families and marriage are able to work with families and couples. They study how people’s close relationships impact their health overall and their support system, including issues such as chronic anxiety, emotional abuse and much more.
- Therapists in mental health generally that can treat many clients. They blend relationship-building with empirical evidence to formulate effective treatment for diagnosable disorders as well as grief, stress and transitions.
- Psychological nurse practitioner can be described as advanced practice certified nurses (APRNs) who are certified to assist families, individuals and groups in providing psychiatric services. They evaluate, diagnose and treat a variety of conditions.
- Social workers who specialize in aging are focused on helping people who are aging retain as much autonomy and dignity as is possible. They assist older people with the services they require and assist them in issues with regard to mental health as well as the quality of their lives.
Commonly employed behavioral health professionals:
- Substance abuse counsellors work with addicts recovering individually or in groups. Alongside holding the client accountable for their behavior They assist clients in finding methods to deal with anxiety, deal with withdrawal, stay clear of triggers, and help them regain their responsibility.
- school psychologists aid students who have mental health concerns however, they also tackle numerous behavioral issues that range from the use of drugs to bullying, and even acting out in classes. Psychologists at schools also have an important role in assisting students with learning disabilities or poor academic performance.
- Psychologists in the clinical setting deal with the psychological, social, and cultural and biological aspects and how they impact the individual. They frequently assist patients with the use of tobacco, managing weight and adjusting to a chronic health condition.
Addiction psychiatrists are medical professionals who are specially trained to assist those suffering from substance abuse. These doctors are extremely informed about the factors that cause addiction and are also involved in study.