Mental Health (Depression and Anxiety)
Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological and social well-being. It is the state of being able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to one's community. It is also the ability to realize one's own abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and make a contribution to one's community. A person with good mental health is able to think, feel and react in a way that is appropriate to their surroundings, and is able to form and maintain positive relationships with others. Good mental health is not only the absence of mental illness, but also a state of well-being in which an individual is able to function in a fulfilling and productive way. Factors that can influence mental health include genetics, environment, life experiences, and physical health, among others.
What is a mental health condition/mental illness?
A mental health condition, or mental illness, is a medical condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. These conditions can range from mild to severe, and can be temporary or long-lasting. Some common mental health conditions include:
- Anxiety disorders: a group of conditions that cause excessive fear, worry, or nervousness, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias.
- Mood disorders: a group of conditions that affect a person's emotional state, such as depression and bipolar disorder.
- Schizophrenia: a severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.
- Eating disorders: a group of conditions that involve abnormal eating habits, such as anorexia and bulimia
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, accident, or act of violence.
It's important to note that these are just a few examples of mental health conditions, and that there are many others that exist. Additionally, mental health conditions can be co-occurrent with other mental and physical health issues.
At Ananta Health, we have experience working with many different mental illnesses, but this article will be focusing on two of the most common - depression and anxiety.
What is depression?
Depression is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. It can affect a person's emotions, physical health, relationships, work, and many other aspects of daily life. Depression can be caused by a variety of factors, including past traumatic events, genetic predisposition, and other medical conditions.
Some common signs of depression include feeling sad, worthless, hopeless, guilty, anxious, irritable, or angry, loss of interest and motivation in daily tasks and activities, difficulty focusing, concentrating, and making decisions, withdrawal from others, and changes to eating and sleeping patterns.
It's important to seek professional help for depression as it can significantly affect the quality of life and can lead to other illnesses. With proper treatment and support, people with depression can improve their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural human response to stress, but when it becomes excessive and persistent, it can be considered a mental health condition. Anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry, fear, and unease that can be overwhelming and interfere with a person's daily activities. Anxiety disorders can manifest in different forms such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and separation anxiety.
Some common symptoms of anxiety include excessive worry and fear, physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat and sweating, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and avoiding certain situations or activities. Anxiety disorders are treatable and with the proper treatment, people can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
It's important to note that anxiety is a normal human response to stress but when it becomes excessive and persistent, it can affect the quality of life. Seeking professional help and therapy can help individuals to learn coping mechanisms and strategies to manage and reduce their symptoms of anxiety.
How are these mental health conditions treated?
Anxiety and depression are common mental health conditions that can be treated with a variety of methods. Mainstream medicine typically recommends medication and counseling as the primary treatment options for these conditions. However, these treatments do come with the risk of side effects and may not be effective for everyone.
At Ananta Health, we offer an alternative, holistic approach that is tailored to the individual needs of our patients. Our treatment plans are based on the results of a BioScan SRT assessment and may include acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and supplements, as well as diet and lifestyle recommendations.
How can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that has been found to be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions. Studies have shown that acupuncture can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as other conditions such as insomnia, aches and pains, and stress. The practice works by stimulating specific points on the body, known as acupoints, which can promote the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals, and help to balance the body's energy flow.
Acupuncture can also help to regulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is responsible for regulating the body's stress response. This helps to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by lowering the levels of stress hormones in the body.
Acupuncture is a safe and non-invasive treatment option that can be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment for mental health or can be used on its own.