Introduction
The brain is just 3 pounds, but it is a powerhouse. It contains your personality and memories. The brain helps coordinate the thinking, emotion, and movement of the body.
If your brain is not working correctly, it can affect muscle movement, you may lose feeling in parts of your body, your thinking could slow or not occur at all, etc.; this leads to mental health and neurological disorders.
This article gives a detailed review of mental health and neurological disorders, what are the types and symptoms involved, followed by tips for good brain health.
What is a Mental Health Disorder?
Mental (behavioral) health disorders (mental illnesses) affect how you think and act. Mental and behavioral disorders can be confusing to your mood and body to function in daily activities and work.
It’s important to understand poor mental health does not mean you have a behavioral health disorder. Similarly, you can have a mental health or behavioral health disorder and still have good mental health.
Types of Mental Health Disorders
There are more than 200 hundred mental health disorders, and included in that list are some of the most common types.
Anxiety disorders.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Depression, bipolar disorder, etc.
Eating problems.
Disruptive behavior disorders.
Personality disorders, like personality disorder and antisocial disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Symptoms
Mental health disorders can be associated with different and varied symptoms, including:
Use of recreational drugs or alcohol
Avoiding friends and close people
Worrying or fear far beyond what a situation requires
Feeling fatigued or not able to sleep.
Being sad and loneliness
Anger or extreme irritability
Concern about physical anatomy, weight loss, eating, etc.
Lack of concentration, learning, or daily tasks.
High mood swings
Suicidal thinking or self-harm.
Link Between Neurology and Mental Health
Mental health and neurological disorders are two different areas of the medical field. Several neurological diseases can cause mental health issues, but a few mental illnesses lead to improper functioning of the nervous system.
Neurology is basically studying the nervous system and key areas of it. Whereas mental health include the emotional, psychological, social well-being, etc of a person.
An example of a neurological disorder- is a traumatic brain injury, leading to mental health problems. This condition can disrupt the brain’s functioning and lead to different problems. Know that neurology and mental health are both complex areas and research is going on to find the link between them.
What is a Neurological Disorder?
This is a condition to impair the right functioning of the nervous system. It is composed of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
The central nervous system has the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system has all the nerves that branch off of your spinal cord.
Types of Neurological Disorders
Hundreds of neurological disorders exist. They fall into several categories:
Brain condition
Neurodegenerative conditions
Neuromuscular type
Peripheral nerve conditions
Spine conditions
Based on the symptoms neurological health issues are classified under different groups.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of neurological disorders include:
Headaches, back and neck pain.
Muscle weakness, paralysis, trouble coordinating movements, and also falls.
Speech that is slow & speech that is slurred, difficulty with swallowing.
Numbness, hypersensitivity, loss of sensation, etc.
Loss of sight, hearing loss, loss of taste/smell.
Trouble falling asleep, daytime sleepiness, loud snoring.
Fainting, coma, dullness.
Confusion, forgetfulness, problems with attention, learning or processing, emotional changes.
Breathing issues.
Tips to Maintain Good Brain Health
Do physical activities: Exercise is effectivefor its numerous benefits and improves your brain health as well. Exercise regularly for at least a few minutes. Do exercises that are effective to speed up your heart rate.
Mental well-being: Your brain is more like a muscle; if you don’t use it, you will lose it. Remember to keep your brain active to be healthy. Play different mind games and be involved in such activities.
Good sleep: Sleep is a key factor in maintaining good brain health. Plan for 7 to 8 consecutive hours of sound sleep, not fragmented chunks of sleep. Continuous sleep will provide your brain with a block of time to consolidate your memories.
Manage stress: Stress has an adverse effect on your brain, therefore make efforts to reduce stress. One can do so with proper meditation or exercise.
Stay socially engaged: Socializing reduces anxiety and depression, and also the stress leading to memory loss. Seek opportunities to connect with family, friends, and/or neighbors, to avoid loneliness.
Protect your head: A brain injury has effects on an individual’s life. Try your best to avoid head injuries. Always wear a helmet while bike riding, put seatbelts in a car, and other preventative measures while participating in normal activities.
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