People often use the terms mental health and behavioral health interchangeably, but there are crucial distinctions between them. It is necessary to be aware of these for diagnosing, treating, and managing psychological issues at the Deerfield behavioral health center. The knowledge can enable you to understand yourself and others better. You can discover why you think, feel, and act in certain ways and gain insights into why others behave as they do.

What is the difference between mental health and behavioral health?

Mental health is concerned with how you think and feel, and various biological factors may influence it. Behavioral health is related to your reactions to different situations and how you act in response to these. There is a close relationship between mental health and behavioral health, but, as you may have noted now, they are different fields of studies in psychology.

Common mental health issues

Some of the common health issues that the health workers at the Deerfield health center often encounter are:

Mood disorders

Mood disorders may be seasonal, biological, or situational. People who suffer from mood disorders may feel depressed, angry, anxious, empty, heavy, and unable to perform their daily tasks. The mood disorder can occur during dark winter months when people cannot get sufficient exposure to sunlight.

It may occur due to bad lifestyle choices like following a poor diet, not getting enough sleep, not getting adequate exercise, or focussing too much on unpleasant matters. It may happen due to being ill, getting into an accident, getting into an argument or fight, getting insulted and ill-treated, or experiencing the death of a family member or friend.

Anxiety

It is normal for everyone to feel anxious now and then. However, if you continuously experience anxiety for days on end and it starts affecting your everyday routine, it may point to a mental disorder. People with an anxiety disorder may feel uneasy and worried most of the time and often without any specific reason. Their anxiety may prevent them from sleeping well and concentrating on their regular tasks. In some people, the anxiety disorder may lead to panic attacks.

Bipolar disorder

People who have bipolar disorder may experience manic episodes during which they may behave in an illogical and hyperactive manner. At other times, they may seem perfectly normal and reasonable people. They may have manic episodes without warning, and they may behave differently in each. It is essential to keep in mind that bipolar disorder affects different people differently.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that causes people to lose touch with reality and become delusional. They may suffer from hallucinations or repeatedly think about negative and unpleasant things. In severe cases, they may attempt to harm themselves or others.

Common behavioral health issues

At the Deerfield health center, the most common behavioral issues patients have are:

Eating disorders

Eating disorders can develop because of poor self-control, low self-esteem, or unbalanced thinking. They may happen due to an unhealthy obsession with meeting societal expectations. They may cause people to eat unhealthy food, eat too much, or eat too little. People may not follow a proper eating schedule or may eat between mealtimes. Psychologists use terms like binge-eating, Bulimia Nervosa, and anorexia nervosa to characterize some eating disorders.

Substance abuse

Substance abuse occurs when people get addicted to alcohol, drugs, or medications and become dependent on their consumption of these substances. They may find it difficult to function without using them. They may get angry, anxious, depressed, or sick if they cannot access them anymore. Some people may even experience physical discomfort and pain. If they continue the substance abuse, mental and physical deterioration is inevitable.

Gambling addiction

People with a gambling addiction may engage in repetitive and risky behaviors that are detrimental to their mental and physical well-being. They may stop caring about the money, time, and energy they spend on their gambling activities. They may neglect basic hygiene, sleep, and eating habits and disregard work and other responsibilities.

Self-injury

Self-injury is a behavioral disorder that develops due to a mental disorder. People may harm themselves due to a poor self-image or because they seek attention. Early intervention is essential to prevent serious injuries.