Mental health
is equally important
Back to school health checklist
Mind and body:
If these symptoms persist for several weeks and have no known
medical cause, you should discuss them with your doctor. |
When you are stressed, anxious or upset, your body tries to tell you that something is not quite right. The following are physical symptoms that your emotional health may be off kilter:Mind and body: Your emotions can affect your health
Health
screenings |
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Another good reason to visit the dentist |
Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research |
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week is May 8 – 14. |
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Get screened for head and neck
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Get the right number
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Blood Pressure
• Normal Less than 120/80 • Pre-hypertension 120 to 139 / 80 to 89 |
• Stage 1 hypertension 140 to 159 / 90 to 99 • Stage 2 hypertension 160/100 and above |
Cholesterol • Total — Less than 200 • HDL — “Good” Cholesterol Greater than 40 |
• LDL — “Bad” Cholesterol Less than 100 |
Triglycerides |
Less than 150 |
Blood Glucose • Fasting Less than 100 |
• Random (after eating) Less than 140 |
Waist
Circumference • Women under 35 inches |
• Men under 40 inches |
Body Mass Index (BMI) |
18.5 - 24.9 |
But Dr. Nina Mitra, a licensed psychologist at The Dimock Center, has other thoughts in mind. “Summer’s a perfect time to do a mental health self-assessment,” she said. “There’s more sunlight, more daylight. If you’ve been thinking about recharging your batteries, now’s the time.”
Mental health disorders are often overlooked as a component of a yearly physical. Yet, it is not possible to separate mind and body — the two are inextricably linked.
“It’s always good to check up to see how you’re doing — physically as well as mentally,” Mitra said. “It’s a healthy thing for everyone to do.”
Healthy — yes — but not so easy to do, particularly for some African Americans. Historically, blacks are resilient and so used to hardships, they often fail to see the signs of a mental disorder. They assume that sadness is “just the blues” and a normal part of life. Furthermore, the stigma associated with mental illness prevents many blacks from owning up to emotional problems let alone receiving care for them.
Yet, in surveys conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), blacks admit to feelings of sadness, hopelessness and that “everything is an effort” — typical symptoms of depression — more often than whites. Income is a factor as well. The CDC further reports that the lower the poverty level the higher the percentage of serious psychological distress reported among African Americans 18 years of age and older.
Such barriers — lack of awareness, poverty and cultural stigma — are factors contributing to the low rates of mental health treatments in blacks and other minorities, as reported in a recent study published by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Blacks turn to family, the community and religious leaders more often than mental health professionals.
Mental illnesses are not rare. More than 26 percent of the adult population in this country is diagnosed with some sort of mental disorder, according to the NIMH, and 22 percent of these cases are considered severe.
Common disorders are depression, anxiety, stress and alcohol or substance abuse. And the symptoms can be so subtle, they often escape attention or correct interpretation.
Identifying the problem is a big challenge.
People tend to view mental disorders in the extreme — the person talking to people only he or she can see, or an alcoholic down on his luck. These indeed may demonstrate mental disorders, but most of the time, the signs are not as obvious.
Mitra ticked off several typical symptoms. Depression can result in loss of energy or concentration, loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed, having a negative attitude, a change in appetite. People who are anxious might experience obsessive worrying about something, are irritable, short-fused or lashing out.
Nina Mitra
Licensed Psychologist
The Dimock Center
If you find that you’re not sleeping well at night, that you are unable to fall asleep or you keep waking up, that signals a problem, said Mitra.
Stress takes a physical toll as well. “You feel it anywhere in your body. It’s where you keep your stress,” she explained.
For instance, some are more prone to backaches or headaches while others suffer upset stomachs when under undue stress. For some blacks, the problem may be more serious and go beyond mild aches and pains. In a recent study conducted at the University of California at Los Angeles, the researchers concluded that high levels of stress resulting from discrimination may be a factor behind higher rates of hypertension, diabetes and obesity in blacks.
Several factors can upset the emotional cart — finances, family relationships, work or living environment. “Juggling too many things causes stress,” Mitra said. “Sit back and take a look at yourself. “How am I handling this?”
Mitra offered advice. “If you think that you are experiencing emotional symptoms that are significantly different and last longer, it’s best to take a closer look,” she said. There is less concern about a problem that is short-lived, she added.
But if the stress is disrupting life or causing other difficulties, it is probably time to see someone — your primary care physician or a mental health specialist.
There are things a person can do to try to maintain sound mental health. Being physically healthy is one of them. Exercise and healthy eating are key. Keep things in balance and take time to enjoy yourself, recommended Mitra. Sometimes just the little things can help, like reading a good book, watching a comedy or getting together with friends.
“Make a personal mental health check list,” she added. “And take stock of yourself.” Self-assessment questionnaires have some value. They can help point you in the right direction, but they cannot diagnose a problem.
Mitra warned against letting things go on too long. “You have to take the time to take care of daily life stresses,” she said. “It sneaks up on you.”