Author: Contributor

How to support someone with mental health issues

Everyone experiences tough times at different points in their lives, and having people around to provide support makes it easier to cope.  

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If you are worried about the state of your loved one who has a mental health problem, then you will need this post. You might be worried about how to be a support system for anyone with mental health issues, you will learn some quintessential tips in this post.

Don’t judge them

If you know someone with a mental health problem, it is important not to judge them. Don’t start blaming them for their problems, and avoid acting like you were there when they made such decisions. Be empathetic with them, and encourage them that they will surely get over what they are experiencing.

Don’t invalidate their problems

When someone with a mental health problem tells you what they are experiencing, don’t look down on their situation.

Similarly, don’t bring up your situation in a bid to invalidate or reduce the effect of what they are going through. Remember that two people have the same problem, the effect cannot be the same thing.

Listen carefully to them

Sometimes, people with mental health problems need others with whom they can confide. However, they might not get the right set of people around them because not everyone knows how to listen.

When You speak with someone who has a mental health problem, listen to the nuances of the conversation and ask important questions.

Suggest professional support

Someone with mental health issues needs professional help so that they can get better. Trying to self-medicate might not always work out because some people might need a more tailored form of treatment.

You can suggest that they see a mental health counselor or their health provider for help. Additionally, you can help them locate a support network where they can meet with people in similar situations.

Know your limits

While you provide support, remember that you may not be able to do everything. Ensure you get enough rest, and watch out for your mental health too.

Eastern vs Western Medicine, which is better

When it comes to how people receive treatment for ailments, not everyone prefers the present and technologically advanced healthcare model. Some people believe that natural or traditional medical care is still the most reliable and efficient way of receiving holistic healthcare.  

This traditional healthcare model is called Eastern Medicine, which is known to have its origin in Asia. There are different names for Eastern Medicine like alternative, natural or complementary.

The goal of Eastern Medicine is more focused on providing the individual with balance by using alternative treatments. Hence, it is focused on a holistic treatment where everything about the person is treated.

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If Eastern Medical practitioners suspect that the individual has some diseases, they examine the whole body looking out for imbalances. They don’t look out for symptoms like Western medicine.

On the other hand, if Western Medical practitioners diagnose a disease, they prescribe drugs to use based on the symptoms. They use a systemic and balanced approach where organ systems are handled differently.

Even though Eastern and Western Medicine have different principles, they share some fundamental approaches.

Both types of medicine aim to provide the body with the right dose of energy. It would interest you to know that Western Medicine has begun to integrate some elements of Eastern medicine.

When it comes to opting for what suits your health, you need to speak with your healthcare provider before selecting Eastern or Western medicine.

For some diseases like Cancer, the Eastern Medicine alternative might be insufficient. But a good combination of Western and Eastern medicine could restore the right healing and balance.

Also, taking some supplements without understanding how your body works might result in some unpleasant side effects. Hence, be sure to always consult your physician before taking any type of treatment.  

5 signs of a mental health problem

Mental health problems are also known as mental health disorders. They are common health issues that many people do not pay attention to. Some people are struggling with their mental health but they are unaware that it is a problem that needs help.

In this piece, we will be looking at the signs of mental health issues that you should watch out for

  • Feelings of anxiety or worries

It is normal to get stressed because of the demands that life has on us. Hence, it can get to a point where you start to feel worried or stressed.

Sometimes, it could be for a particular reason. Other times, you will discover that you are anxious with no particular reason to point out to.

Some of the symptoms of anxiety are breath shortness, trembling, increased heartbeat rates, etc.

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  • Feelings of depression

One of the common signs of mental health issues is depression. This is a state where you are sad for a long time and it is almost impossible to become happy.

You will discover that you’ve lost interest in almost every activity around you.

  • Irregular sleep patterns

Some people with mental health disorders find it difficult to tell how they sleep. They can either suffer from insomnia or somnolence.

When you notice that your sleeping pattern is different from what many people have, then a mental health problem might be lurking in the shadows.

  • Isolation

Another sign of mental health problems is isolation. This is a condition where the individual prefers to keep to themselves instead of staying around people. Usually, this happens because they are unsure of how other people will relate to them.

  • Substance abuse

Some people facing mental health disorders rely on substances to help them deal with what they are facing. In the long run, they become addicted and they find it hard to keep addiction at bay.

Substance abuse can aggravate an individual’s mental health condition if care isn’t taken. This is why it is important to seek help before it becomes uncontrollable.

Caring for your mental health

Taking care of your mental health is paramount to living a healthy life. In addition to the measures you take to have a great physical health, your mental health also needs to be catered for.  

Making changes to take care of your mental health does not imply that you spend much. There are some simple health practices that you can implement to facilitate a great health.

  • Place value on yourself: It is vital to treat yourself with respect and kindness and avoid criticizing yourself by all means. Treat yourself with value because until you do, no one would do it for you.

You can start by speaking positive words of affirmation to yourself and walking in that reality. The only way to give yourself a positive image that would improve your mental health is to value yourself.

  • Take care of yourself: When you take care of yourself physically, you are directly impacting your mental health positively. It is important for you to eat nutritious meals every time and take less junks. Also, avoid hard drugs and alcohol by all means. When abuse sets in, it might be difficult to stop, and it could negatively affect your mental health.
  • Hang out with good and positive people: The people you surround yourself with determines your mental health to a great extent. People who surround themselves with good and positive people often have a good mental image of themselves.

Good and positive people often provide a worthy support system that you can count on when you are faced with challenges. You can meet such people in class, a support group or a club.  

  • Know how to deal with stress: One of the reasons why people are mentally unhealthy is because they do not know how to handle stress. No matter how strenuous your workplace is, it is important to reduce your stress levels by all means possible.

You can go on a vacation, sleep, write a journal, attend parties and a host of others.  

The peculiarities of Eastern Medicine

Eastern medicine is the ancient aspect of medicine that is still being practiced. It refers to the more organic and the less scientific form of medicine.

Unlike western medicine that focuses more on the science behind a certain condition, which treats illnesses with pharmacological methods, Eastern medicine sticks to the native method.

Eastern medicine takes its origin from countries like Greece, Japan, India, China, European and Asian cultures. The practice of Eastern Medicine involves the use of plant and herbal remedies to treat dysfunctions and diseases.

This treatment is facilitated by the use of preventative medicine which is the examination of the outer and inner life of a patient to treat their whole being, instead of just their health problem. This is referred to as the metaphysical examination of an individual.

The Western medicine frowns at this method of treatment that the Easter medicine use, and they refer to it as being “unscientific”.

The notion that Eastern medicine is unscientific is a school of thoughts that has occurred for several centuries. In the Western culture, the Eastern medicine was seen as quackery.

However, towards the end of the 20th century, value was restored to the Eastern side of medicine. Health providers began to notice that there was a value attached to examining the entire being of an individual instead of just dwelling on their specific health problem.  

This observation alongside with the integration of preventative medicine has made Eastern medicine a force to reckon with in the Western culture. And the influence of Eastern medicine is growing by the day.

For several years, the bias has always been against Eastern medicine and favored Western medicine.

However, with the participation in natural and organic medical treatment which is becoming increasingly popular, it is correct to say that Eastern medicine is an integral part of the future of medicine and health practice generally.  

THE PECULIARITIES OF WESTERN MEDICINE

When people hear the term ‘Western medicine’, what comes to their mind is a region which medicine comes from. Now, Western medicine is a wide spectrum of medicine which is separated from Eastern medicine.

There are various division in the medical world, and Western medicine is the most popular, as it is a specific umbrella which houses other forms of medicine.

Western medicine is modern and it gives more attention to the pharmacological treatment of diseases. Western medicine became popular and more in use, in the 18th century.

This was a blooming scientific era, and it was beginning to have its effect in the medical world. Before this era, what ruled the medical world was Eastern medicine, which was basically herbal treatment.

With Western medicine, it focused more on treating the particular symptoms associated with a disease, using chemical methods, instead of treating the entire person as common with Eastern medicine.

This approach which began in the 18th century, has ruled the world from then till now, making it the most reliable form of disease treatment.

Western medicine endorses the use of pharmacological agents and medicines as ways of handing specific symptoms. Western medicine does not look at the lifestyle of an individual and their state of mind.

Although, it does this, but not fully. It focuses more on that particular symptom, and it offers treatment based on man-made chemical medicines.

Western medicine comes with much controversy based on its method of operation, and the reason for this is not far-fetched.

Western medicine because it involves the use of chemicals, is very effective, and swift in results delivery, so this has raised doubts on the after-effect which it might have in the long run.

However, based on recent research and studies, it is safe to say that, Western medicine poses no threat to human life, even after they have recovered from any illness plaguing them.

COMPARISON BETWEEN EASTERN MEDICINE AND WESTERN MEDICINE

Eastern medicine has to do with the old and earth form of medicine which is still currently in practice. It is the form of medicine which stands for the less scientific and more organic branch of medicine. The etymology of eastern medicine stems from old societies which includes Greece, China, Japan, India and other European nations.

Basically, the procedures of a good number of these medical practices such as using herbal and plant therapies which are used to combat several diseases and dysfunctions as well. It also involves the application of precautionary medicine in which the inner and outer life of a patient, is used to treat the whole person instead of basically the illness and mental health.

There is a conventionally known idea that Eastern medicine is not as scientific than Western medicine. However, this idea is already getting out of fashion. All through the 19th century and a good part of the 20th century, Eastern medicine was well regarded as not being up to par when it came to comparison with western medicine.

Hence, in the western world, as science and medicine became more incorporated into each other, the practices of Eastern medicine became more out-of-fashion. When the 20th century was about rounding off, Physicians began to notice the value which a medical practice has had on the entire life of a person, instead of dealing with their illness alone.

Taking a look at the meaning of Western medicine, it does not really mean a particular aspect of medicine, it means a wide spectrum of medicine that was differentiated from Eastern medicine. Out of all the divisions in the medical world, Western medicine is the commonly known, and the most popular.

When it comes to the most recent, it is Western medicine, and it hinges on pharmacological treatment of illness, as Eastern medicine is older and happens to be more natural, treating the whole individual instead of just their symptoms.

Western medicine fosters the use of pharmacological agents and preparations, as methods of combatting specific symptoms. Western medicine focuses more on the particular symptom and providing remedies, rather than the entire life of an individual.