It’s a mistake to think that self-awareness is the same as psychological health. In fact, therapists often help patients deepen their awareness while wondering why their conflicts persist. In a recent New York Times article, psychiatrist Richard Friedman describes this dilemma: “We think that psychological well-being is the same as self-awareness, yet our conflicts and challenges persist.” This approach is inconsistent with the conventional view of psychological health, which equates healthy behavior and life-management skills.
Psychological health is different from physical or emotional well-being, and it is not the same as happiness. A happy person does not necessarily mean they are not depressed. Those seeking help are likely to be afflicted with a number of physical and emotional problems. A good mental health is defined by a number of traits and social networks. The presence of these factors helps maintain our mental and physical health. But the way we express our emotions also matters.
Human beings are unique among animals in that they are capable of adapting to changing circumstances. Thus, change is the constant determinant of life. This suggests that the ability to express and regulate one’s feelings can explain the incremental variance in social and psychological health. It’s important to recognize that good psychological health can come from within. The most basic human needs are not the same for everyone, and the ability to deal with change is a crucial component of achieving good mental health.
While there are many aspects of psychological health that are important, the key components of a healthy life include a connection to close people, a sense of mastery and competence, and a belief in your ability to make choices. Csikszentmihalyi suggests that the core elements of good psychological health are positive emotions, positive traits, and a wide range of life domains. This article provides a brief description of these characteristics.
As we age, we continue to experience changes and shift our circumstances. The ability to adapt to these changes has been crucial to our overall psychological health. Whether we’re experiencing a life-changing event or coping with a life-altering illness, our capacity to express our feelings is critical to ensuring our well-being. This is why, as human beings, we often suffer from stress and lack of confidence. If we’re not able to deal with change, we are not able to reach our goals.
Despite the widespread confusion regarding the definition of “psychological health”, it’s important to recognize that this term is not synonymous with “mental health.” While positive emotions and positive thoughts are fundamental to psychological wellbeing, they’re not the only components of a healthy life. Instead, the key is to cultivate a range of emotions and to avoid limiting yourself to one emotion. The goal is to be happy and live a fulfilling life, even when it means taking risks.