Are They Equally Important?
What is one thing common between Heart Health, Liver Health, Reproductive Health and even in Oral Health? Public awareness.
Far too often Mental Health is not considered an important aspect of good physical health. “Suck it Up, Buttercup” is the most common community advice. There is a lot more to mental health than just “having a bad day”.
Get to know Mental Health
Mental health is associated with many debilitating conditions like ADHD, anxiety, PTSD and the list goes on. Even if you look only at one mental disease, depression, in this case, you will find that a great many physical health problems are caused and can only be addressed by managing proper mental health.
In more recent years, there has been a much required focus on mental health, but the demand is far, far greater than the available mental health providers.
Symptoms of Physical or Mental Health?
This is a small list of symptoms most commonly associated with physical health, which might be in some cases true, should also be addressed as potential mental health issues.
- Nervousness
- Trouble Sleeping
- Exhaustion
- Change in Appetite
- Headaches
- Stomachaches
- Muscle Aches
- Lack of energy
Each of these symptoms is, unfortunately, associated with many physical illnesses, including the common cold. However, a diagnosis like depression, anxiety, PTSD and other mental health related condition should be in mind, if these symptoms persist without any direct physical symptoms. Confusing those symptoms for a prolong period, allows your mental health conditions to get progressively worse until you finally start experiencing the more recognizable emotional and mental symptoms.
The Hidden Risks of Mental Health
A small number of us realize that depression also has many hidden symptoms that can greatly increase risk of dangerous health problems. For example, studies have shown that the majority of people who suffer from depression also have extremely weak immune systems, are at much higher risk of cardiovascular disease, and are more likely to develop diabetes.
On top of all of that, the emotional and mental problems that accompany depression also make it exceedingly hard for you to remember and follow doctor’s directions for physical issues, making even routine treatments seem impossible and greatly increasing the risks of further disease and symptoms.
This article outlines how depression greatly increases the chance of death after having a heart attack, a deadly example of the depression’s hidden risks to your physical health.
Impact of Mental Health on Everyday Life
Everyday life is where mental health conditions, such as depression cause the most damage. Muscles are easily injured as you try to “soldier through” and can not tell the difference between the constant ache and the ache that warns that you are doing damage to yourself while changes in appetite can make your weight fall or rise swiftly and well beyond healthy norms.
Not enough sleep and energy drain make you weak and affect your ability to concentrate and make decisions. It only takes one wrong decision to ruin almost everything you do – a meal becomes inedible, a car gets wrecked, a child or pet gets sick or injured.
What is HBI Doing to Help?
When it comes to seeking care for mental health, there are many concerns:
- Finding a mental health provider, especially the one that you can relate to.
- Insurance coverage for mental health and finding a provider in your insurance network.
- Self-pay cost for mental health care.
- Seeing an out-of-network mental health provider.
We are constantly working to bring more mental health providers on our platform so you can find one in your area and learn more about their specialty, cost and coverage.
We encourage mental health providers on platform to list prices for their services, so you, as a patient, are aware of the self-pay cost.
We have partnered with OONOLOGY.com to help you file an out-of-network claim.
Find a mental health provider on Health Beyond Insurance. If you are a mental health provider and would like list your services, please Join today.
