heartandsoul
Submitted by AmeriHealth District of Columbia
Physical, mental and behavioral health all go hand in hand. Have you ever noticed that it’s easier for you to avoid being active or eating healthy when you’re depressed? Behavioral health affects the whole body. This is why it’s important to understand whole-person care.
Focus on the whole person
It’s not always easy to notice that stress is causing a physical problem. Here are some things you can do to focus on whole-person care:
Be aware of your feelings. They can affect how your body feels physically.
Pay close attention to your moods and symptoms to notice patterns. For example, if you overeat when you’re sad, or smoke when you’re mad.
Once you notice these patterns, make changes. Ask for help if needed.
Your primary care provider (PCP) can give you the power to change your life, so talk to your PCP.
Untreated behavioral health issues such as anxiety disorder have been known to cause other health problems, including chronic pain. There are other types of mental health conditions, such as bipolar and psychotic disorders, that can land you in a hospital if they are not taken care of.
Here are some signs that you may have a mental illness:
Eating a large amount of food in a shorter period of time than normal (loss of control)
Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
Change in weight
Hearing or seeing things that are not real
Delusions—believing things that are not true
Thoughts of death or suicide
If you start to feel any of the signs above, call your PCP for a referral to a behavioral health provider. It’s okay to seek help. Take this first step. It can prevent the disorder from impacting you physically. Behavioral health disorders can be treated, just like chronic diseases. A doctor can help you create the right wellness plan for you.
Physical health affects mental health
Being inactive and eating fatty foods can make you tired. Smoking can have a bad effect on your lungs, breath and teeth. Poor dental health can impact your oral (mouth) health and self-esteem. Recent studies suggest that people who have gum disease seem to be at a higher risk for heart attacks.
Obesity, diabetes and heart failure are other conditions that you can get if you don’t take care of yourself. They can put you into a sad state if you begin to worry too much about these conditions and how they make you feel. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to prevent or treat these health conditions.
It can take a lot of will power to be active regularly and eat well. But it’s very important to do both. If you have a hard time staying on track, ask a friend or loved one to join you. This can make it easier and more fun. Think about how you will feel when you’re done ─ full of energy and feeling better.
Practice whole-person care
A lifestyle of steady physical activity and eating well can lift your mood, self-esteem and help keep you healthy. Use this checklist to practice whole-person care:
Visit your doctor once a year for a check-up. Talk about what you can do to keep your mind and body healthy.
Visit your eye doctor once a year to check for eye conditions like glaucoma or problems caused by diabetes.
Visit your dentist every 6 months for a check-up. Your dentist can clean your teeth and check for any oral health conditions.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Biotechnology Information and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (www.mentalhealth.gov) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (http://www.nami.org/)
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