What Is Mental Health?
Mental health encompasses a broad spectrum of well-being and functioning. It is the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of the individual’s life and can be referred to as the state of well-being in which the person copes with the stresses of life, their work productivity, and contribution to their society.
Unfortunately, mental health is often viewed in a negative light however mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness. Rather, mental health is a positive state of functioning and emotional balance.
What Are Psychiatric Disorders?
Mental health and psychiatric disorders are used interchangeable however we must note that though they are related concepts, they have very distinct meanings. One’s mental health is the state that they are in, whereas psychiatric disorders are clinically diagnosable conditions that significantly interfere with an individual’s thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. Symptoms of various psychiatric disorders cause distress and/or impairment in the persons daily functioning.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is used to classify psychiatric disorders. Examples of psychiatric disorders include anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and others.
How Does the Environment Play a Role in Mental health?
Neurochemical imbalances, substance use, genetics, and life experiences impact one’s mental health and risk for developing psychiatric disorders. There is another crucial factor that tends to be overlooked, the environment. It can either nurture or hinder one’s psychological state.
Early adverse childhood experiences, such as trauma, neglect, or abuse can predispose an individual to a range of mental health challenges in life. Environments characterized by instability, conflict, or socioeconomic disadvantage may disrupt healthy development which may then contribute to the onset of psychiatric disorders later in life.
Socioeconomic factors, including poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, can increase one’s chance of mental health instability. These factors may also create barriers to receiving mental health care.
Factors such as housing quality, neighborhood safety, and access to amenities can significantly impact ones’ well-being. Neighborhoods characterized by crime and violence can induce anxiety and trauma whereas communities that prioritize pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, community gathering areas, and access to essential services foster a sense of belonging and social cohesion.
Environmental pollutants, particulate matter, and toxic gases emitted by vehicles and industrial activities not only harm our physical health but also infiltrate our neurological systems, leading to mood disturbances and cognitive impairments.
Spending time in green spaces, such as parks, with exposure to sunlight, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a psychiatric disorder that is related to changes in season as the name suggests. Symptoms of depression become notable in the cooler, winter months however typically resolves during the spring and summer months.
In summary, psychiatric disorders are more likely to develop when one’s mental health is unstable, influenced by their environment. Although experiences like childhood abuse can profoundly affect mental health, addressing systemic inequities is crucial for promoting well-being and reducing psychiatric disorder impact. It’s important to focus on changing what’s within our capacity and current environment.
If you or a loved one feel that your mental wellbeing has been negatively impacted and are concerned with developing a psychiatric disorder, speak to a psychiatrist in San Diego to review symptoms and discuss a treatment plan.