Thursday, June 9, 2016

Myth Four: Good #Mental Health equals the absence of disturbing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Experience gained from my 30+ years practice in cognitive-behavioral psychology shows that, when given the right tools, people readily learn to elevate and maintain emotional health and happiness.


At the Think Right Feel Right Blogoscope you will find the behavioral tools and techniques that help to ward off #anxiety, depression and addiction.  You will learn about ways to defeat troubling emotions such as anger, worry and sadness.  You will also find practical #self-help strategies for increasing self-esteem, positivity and for being a happier you. 

Myths and misunderstandings about  mental health and emotional well-being abound.  We think we can change, or we doubt real change is possible. We hear that #happiness is attainable; then we hear that it is limited by our "setpoint." 


We are told that mental health may be largely genetic and are left thinking that our emotions and behavior patterns are indelible patterns, like fixed personality traits.  We burden ourselves with the shame that these problems are somehow our fault.  We are embarrassed by emotional problems and avoid talking about them.  

If we have "issues," we see ourselves as being different from others. We try to fix ourselves with talk therapy.  We go the medication route.  We ignore emotional problems and our cup rarely gets above half full.  Change is too difficult, too little, impossible.  Just give me some drugs.  No medication for me thank you, medication only hides the problem.


We pay a big price because of the myths and misconceptions about happiness and emotional health.  Those who are willing to search for greater fulfillment often expend considerable time and money on the journey.  Too often, their journey is long, the road signs vague, and success limited.  Others avoid the journey altogether, staying stuck in their struggles over a lifetime. We can indeed learn how to possess good mental health, but first we must cut through the jumble of misconceptions that stand in the way.


Myth Four: Good #Mental Health equals the absence of disturbing symptoms such as #anxiety, depression,  and #addiction.  Not really.  Mental health is not simply the absence of mental disorders or psychological symptoms.  
Mental Health is something much more.  Being mentally well involves gaining key behavioral skills including the ability to regulate thought and emotion, maintain self-esteem and self-care, promote positive mood states, and sustain other adaptive behavior over time. Reduced emotional disturbance, attentiveness to self-nurturance, resilience and increased well-being are some of the affirmative indications of good mental health.  Stay tuned to #ThinkRightFeelRight for practical #self-help.

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