Psychological health is a broad topic, and there are many different things that can affect it. People seek psychological treatment for a wide range of reasons, from dealing with past trauma and anxiety to learning how to cope with loss and grief. Some of the most common issues that impact psychological health include depression, addiction, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy and other forms of mental health care can help people manage these conditions and learn healthier ways to interact with themselves and others.
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of mental illness, including emotional distress. It can also be referred to as medical psychology or behavioral medicine. It encompasses a variety of treatments, including psychotherapy and drug therapy. Psychotherapy is a type of talk therapy that is designed to treat mental illness, and it can be delivered by a licensed therapist or counselor. Different types of psychotherapy include gestalt therapy, psychoanalysis, dialectical behavior therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Pharmacotherapy is a type of treatment that uses medication to treat mental illness, and it is typically prescribed by a doctor who specializes in psychiatry.
A person’s mental health may be impacted by hereditary factors, lifestyle choices, and environmental circumstances. For example, an individual who has a history of severe emotional distress as a child or young adult may be more at risk for developing psychological disorders. Other risk factors include exposure to violent or abusive situations, chronic stress and fatigue, and lack of social support networks.
Having good psychological health is associated with positive emotions and human flourishing. A person who feels well has a sense of self-worth and is capable of managing the ups and downs of life. Mentally healthy individuals are able to maintain stable relationships, take risks in their professional lives, and achieve their personal goals.
The term psychological wellness refers to a person’s ability to adapt to the challenges that life throws at them. It includes a person’s ability to cope with stressful events, make productive decisions and maintain positive emotions. It is also associated with a person’s sense of connectedness to others, meaning that he or she is able to give and receive support from close friends and family members.
Some professionals define mental health more broadly than others. For example, the field of positive psychology focuses on the well-being and functioning of humans, which includes their capacity for creativity and goal-setting as well as their ability to form lasting and satisfying relationships with others. This definition is not intended to exclude people who have psychological illnesses or conditions, but it does place a greater emphasis on the abilities of individuals to deal with difficulties and obstacles in their lives. Moreover, the term psychological health is often used interchangeably with the terms emotional wellness and psychological well-being.