If you suffer from mental illness or are close to someone who does, you know the effects it can have on everyday life.
From careers and finances to personal relationships, mental illnesses like PTSD, bipolar disorder and depression can negatively impact every single aspect of life; for people suffering from poor mental health, it can feel like their whole lives are governed by their psychological well-being or lack thereof.
Thankfully, though, help is available.
Learn how Mental Illness affects everyday life.
How mental illness affects relationships, work and the day to day routine of those with mental illness.
Keep reading for tips on taking your life back from mental illness, and, in the process, enhancing your overall health and quality of life.
Mental Illness and Finances
Having a mental illness can be costly.
From hefty doctor bills to expensive medications, treatment alone can be a financial burden.
Plus, issues like poor impulse control and erratic behavior often result in a variety of financial consequences, some of which include the following:
Overspending and credit card debt
Increased health and car insurance premiums
The inability to set and stick to a budget
Lost wages during mental illness flare-ups and setbacks
If you or a loved one suffer from depression, bipolar disorder or other mental illness, meeting with a financial counselor might be a good idea.
A professional can help you set realistic financial goals, and prevent the debt that often goes together with mental illness.
Also, knowing your options is key to preventing unnecessary spending.
For example, companies that offer SR22 insurance often specialize in insuring high-risk drivers, including those suffering from mental illness.
A representative can help you get the coverage you need, without paying ridiculously high premiums, no matter your mental health or past driving record.
How Mental Illness Impacts Relationships
Relationships are never really easy, even when both partners are completely healthy.
And since normal outside factors like careers, finances, etc. can strain even the strongest bonds, it should be no surprise that mental illness can spell disaster for a relationship.
Indeed, when one or both partners suffer from some form of mental illness, issues like codependency, guilt, poor self-image and frustration often arise.
In effect, the relationship suffers greatly.
In fact, when faced with a loved one’s mental illness, it’s not uncommon for healthy individuals to experience depression and anxiety.
Because of these effects, poor mental health is linked to higher rates of domestic violence, separation, and divorce.
Family relationships, as well, can be strained by mental illness and may lead to resentment, estrangement, and other negative consequences.
To address the effects of mental illness in a relationship, family counseling or couples therapy can be beneficial.
A trained mental health professional can help couples and families communicate more effectively, as well as diagnose and treat issues like anxiety and depression.
Mental Illness and Your Career
It can be difficult for individuals with mental illness to hold down a steady job, much less advance an actual career.
Just one flare-up of symptoms can result in termination, failure to advance in the company, rifts with coworkers and other job-related problems.
Add in factors like misdiagnosis and untreated disorders and you’re left with little hope of thriving in your career and life in general.
What’s even worse is the stigma attached to mental illness, especially in regards to the workplace.
Employees are often reluctant to disclose their diagnoses or seek treatment, for fear of losing their jobs or being ostracized by their bosses and coworkers.
Thankfully, through awareness and understanding, many companies are adopting a broader view of mental health and how it pertains to success and productivity.
Employers across the globe are beginning to understand that having healthy workers equates to a healthy business, and many offer or encourage counseling and other mental health programs.
So, if mental illness is affecting your career, do your part in raising awareness and speak to your boss or supervisor.
Disclose your symptoms and diagnosis, and let them know how they can help you in being the best employee you can be.
Also, don’t forget to ask about any mental health resources your company may offer.
Odds are, you’re not the only one suffering, and you might be pleasantly surprised at the feedback you receive.
Although mental illness can impact daily life, help, and options are available.
With the tips provided here, you can address the effects of poor mental health, and enhance your well-being and quality of life.
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