Category: Psychological health

Culture and emotions

In our society in the US, we often view emotions in a particular way, and we don’t realize that different cultures will have different perspectives. We also live in a multicultural place, New York City, and often come across people from all over the world. To truly understand each other, we must know a bit about how cultures can shape emotions.

This article answers some questions about how culture impacts emotions – first, people in different cultures experience different emotions, and second, they may view these emotions different in the context of people’s lives (which emotion is good versus bad and what the purpose of these emotions might be). https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-cultures/201803/how-culture-shapes-emotions
You may have heard of emotions that people feel in other cultures like ennui or schadenfreude that we don’t have exact words for in English.

We also have studied whether how we express our emotions on our faces are similar across groups of people. View the video below to learn more.

Common relationship problems and conflict resolution

All relationships can sometimes have problems. Some common topics that lead to conflict or tension in relationships include: jealousy, sharing power and decision making, gender roles, finances, future plans, and unmet expectations. Some of these problems may lead to frustration and anger, which is normal – even healthy relationships have conflict. In some cases, these can be resolved with better communication. In other cases, the relationship may end through a break-up or divorce.

When discussing problems in a relationship, it’s important that people practice good communication like active listening and using “I” statements. Partners should have an open mind and be willing to really hear the other’s point of view. It can also be helpful to focus directly on the problem and come up with several possible solutions, then picking one to try. For some partners, relationship counseling may be helpful – https://psychcentral.com/health/when-to-seek-marriage-counseling.

Inevitably, most people will have to deal with at least one failed relationship in their lifetimes. It is normal to feel upset and grieve. Seeking social support, refocusing on one’s own goals, taking time before seeking other relationships are all normal and healthy ways to cope. https://psychcentral.com/relationships/coping-with-the-end-of-a-relationship. It is also good to continue focusing on maintaining and improving your mental health.

Suicide

Content warning: suicide and self-harm

When people direct harm against themselves and die because of it, this is called suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 19-24 and the third leading cause of death for children aged 15-18.

There are many risk factors for suicide, including a history or family history of mental illness, family violence, and having a gun in the home – read more here https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-faq/index.shtml.

Often, people thinking about harming themselves give indications, whether directly or indirectly. They may talk about planning something, or make references to harming themselves. Their moods and behaviors may change. They may start to use alcohol and drugs more.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these thoughts or feelings, getting help right away is vital. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be found here https://988lifeline.org/ and at the phone number 988. This was recently changed so that could easily dial this number to get help at any time. To find a mental health provider near you, go to SAMHSA’s site – https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ or check with your health insurance.

Mental illness

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviors. Find out more about mental health basics here https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm. Make sure to click through Mental Health Basics, Types of Mental Illness, and Fast Facts.

There are many classified mental disorders – these are described in detail in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the DSM-V. Some of the more common ones include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and many others.

Mental disorders are quite common in the United States – about one in five adults live with mental illness. It is also likely that people are struggling with their mental health more in the times of living with a pandemic, economic uncertainty, and other big challenges. Read more about the prevalence of these conditions here at the National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml. Some more facts are found here – https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers . It’s important to note that many people living with mental illness do not get treatment. Also, note that people who are homeless, incarcerated, and suffering substance use disorder are more likely to have mental illness.

Some of the causes and risk factors of mental illness may be traumatic life events, biological factors like age and sex, heredity (family history), chronic health conditions like diabetes or cancer, and feeling socially isolated.

Treatment for mental illness is possible. There are many professionals who can help. If you want to seek help, this guide can help – https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/tips-for-talking-with-your-health-care-provider/index.shtml . You can start with your primary care provider, and they may then refer you to a specialist. This may be a psychiatrist – a medical doctor who can prescribe appropriate medications, should they be necessary. It may also be a psychologist, licensed counselor, or social worker, depending on the type of help you may need.

Stigma and mental illness

Content warning: suicide and abuse

There are certain times when mental illness becomes national news – when a celebrity or someone with a high profile mentions they are suffering, when someone in the public eye dies by suicide, and when there are news of mass shootings. While it is important that people speak up about and normalize their mental health, just like any other dimensions of their health, the fact is that a societal stigma against people with mental illness persists.

Dr. Freidman writes about mental illness stigma and why it needs to be a national priority here – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201405/the-stigma-mental-illness-is-making-us-sicker .

Stereotypes about people suffering with mental illness persist and can lead to a delay in people seeking help, social isolation, and a higher risk of suicide. Check your understanding about mental illness with this quiz.

You can help combat stigma by speaking up when you hear harmful stereotypes about people with mental illness, and by reaching out to those in your life who may be in need of support.

How do we improve our psychological health?

Psychological or mental health is thought to encompass intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. These four dimensions of health are highly interrelated, and also have an effect on our physical health.

To review – intellectual health deals with how we think, make decisions, and problem solve. Emotional health is about understanding, expressing and/or controlling your emotions. Social health is concerned with our relationships with others. Spiritual health is about finding your purpose in life and acting in a way that is consistent with your beliefs and values.

What are some things you like to do to improve these dimensions of your health?

Here are some ideas to improve your mental wellness.

Defining good mental health

What is good mental health? Some psychologists theorized that before we can focus on improving our mental health, our basic needs must first be met. Abraham Mazlow created his hierarchy of needs, represented below with a pyramid. On the bottom, biggest level, are the purely physiological needs. The next step are the safety needs. These are considered to be basic needs for the human body to survive.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid. On the bottom are physiological needs like breathing, food, water, sleep. Then is safety, then love and belonging. The next level is esteem - self-esteem, achievement, confidence. On the top is self-actualization - morality, creativity, problem solving, lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts.
From Wikimedia Foundation

After these basic needs, come psychological needs – social health and the feelings of love and belonging, and emotional/intellectual needs like self-esteem, achievement of goals, confidence, and respect of other people. At the very top is self-actualization, which is realizing one’s full potential.

This model is visually shown as a pyramid, but Maslow has written that people do not climb this pyramid by meeting one need at a time. People move between different needs and work on different areas of their needs when needed. Maslow also worked with the Blackfoot Nation, which helped to inform some of his work. Some of the beliefs of the Blackfoot indigenous people is that above meeting individual needs are the needs of the community and that these are all interrelated such that people work for the benefit of community. https://barbarabray.net/2019/03/10/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-and-blackfoot-nation-beliefs/

As with other dimensions of wellness, mental health exists on a continuum. On the one side is positive mental health, and on the other side is ill mental health or mental illness. It also changes over time and can fluctuate between these different extremes in one person’s lifetime.

A person who is exhibiting positive mental health can get along with others, feels good about herself, is open to new ideas, and is able to cope with stress and negative emotions. Read more here https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health and here https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm. If you want to find resources for help with mental health, you may start here to find help for specific issues and vulnerable populations, or for general help https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/tools-resources/index.htm.

Healthy relationships

Humans are social animals – we need some level of social support and social networks in order to be fully healthy. We form relationships from birth and require things like love and nurturing in order to stay socially healthy.

Our first relationship is usually with family – they raise us, they teach us, and they model love. We learn our communication patterns and coping skills from family, whether it is a mother and father, a single parent, a grandparent or aunt/uncle, an adoptive family, or a foster family.

There are several different conceptions of love. One is Dr. Robert Sternberg’s triangular theory of love, which identifies three main components: intimacy, passion and commitment. Different types of relationships may exhibit different types of love.

Dr. Helen Fisher has been studying what happens in the brain during love – see the video below.

There is a spectrum of positive and negative traits in relationships. Healthy relationships are based on equality, independence, and respect. https://www.loveisrespect.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Relationship-Spectrum-final.pdf It’s also important to set expectations for your relationships and keep healthy boundaries – https://www.loveisrespect.org/pdf/Healthy_Relationships.pdf

Communication is important for healthy relationships. Here are some things important for good communication – https://www.loveisrespect.org/healthy-relationships/communicate-better/. Additionally, partners must understand each others’ ways of communicating so that they have more realistic expectations – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/contemplating-divorce/201502/how-do-you-define-love.

Interpersonal violence

Content warning: abuse and violence

On one side of the relationship spectrum are healthy relationships and on the other are abusive relationships or intimate partner violence (IPV). This type of violence happens in various relationships – family, friend or romantic and is quite common – https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/index.html.

IPV can take many forms like physical, verbal or emotional, and sexual violence, and stalking. Other recognized forms include financial control, isolation from family and friends, and monitoring people’s movements and activities. Read about signs of IPV here – https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/domestic-violence/signs-domestic-violence. It is possible to experience IPV in same-sex relationships. Mainly people experience similar signs of IPV, with a few other possibilities like threats to “out you” to your family or telling you that police won’t help people who are LGBTQIA+.

Another common form of interpersonal violence is sexual assault and rape. People of all sexes can experience sexual assault and help is available to all. People often experience feelings of guilt and shame and thus don’t seek help. There are also common myths that people believe about sexual violence – see a list of myths and facts here: https://www.ourresilience.org/what-you-need-to-know/myths-and-facts/.

Both of these types of violence can have a profound effect on people’s health and it is important to prevent them whenever possible through laws, policies, and cultural norms. Teaching kids about consent and bodily autonomy can be a first step in creating healthier relationships in the future.