Emotional Health and Wellness
Health Tips for Use in E-mails and Other Communications
This document includes tips of the week that can be used along with a year-long
emotional health and wellness campaign or as individual messages. The tips are broken
down by topic.
Topics:
Emotional Health
Mental Illness
Depression
Anxiety
Children
Teens
Healthy Aging
Mind-Body Connection
Eating Disorders
Substance Abuse
Booklet Tip for Employers:
Mix and match these messages with other BlueResourceSM e-mail messages from the
Health Care Common Sense, Stress Management and Preventive Health booklets.
BlueResource SM Emotional Health and Wellness
Weekly Tip Copy Page 1 of 21
Emotional Health
1.
How to bounce back
Emotionally healthy people bounce back from hard times, trials and stress. This skill is
called resilience. It takes effort, but you can learn to be flexible and bounce back.
Learning to be someone who bounces back takes time and practice. If you feel like you
need help, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
Source: American Psychological Association
2.
A healthy mind, a healthy life
A healthy mind is a big part of your overall health and wellness. Here are some tips to
help keep your mind and body in good shape:
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Take care of yourself: Stay active, eat right, get plenty of rest and be positive.
Seek the support of family and friends during stressful situations.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help.
Even if you are taking clear steps to take charge of your emotional health, call your
doctor if you feel overwhelmed.
Source: American Psychiatric Association
3.
Your emotional health: keep it top of mind
When you are emotionally healthy, you’re in control of your thoughts, feelings and the
way you act. But even healthy people can sometimes have problems.
About 1 in 5 U.S. families have dealt with a mental illness, including one fifth of schoolage children. It’s normal to feel worried, sad, unhappy or stressed at times. See your
doctor or other health care professional if you see any of these warning signs:
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Personality changes
Not able to cope with daily life
Worrying too much
Sadness that doesn’t go away
Great highs and lows
Sources: American Psychiatric Association; National Institute of Health; American Academy of Family
Physicians
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Emotional Health
4.
Bouncing back: the right mindset for setbacks
Resilience is not a trait that people are born with. It’s something that can be learned.
Resilience means you bounce back and adjust to challenging events, suffering, pain or
stress. Research shows that having loving and trusting relationships is the most useful
thing you can do to build your bounce.
Other ways you can build resilience include:
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Accepting that change is a part of living and take a broader view
Working on realistic goals
Acting on situations rather than hoping they’ll go away
Seeing a setback as an chance to learn more about yourself
Being positive and hopeful
Taking care of yourself
Even if you are taking clear steps to improve your resilience, call your doctor if you feel
overwhelmed.
Source: American Psychological Association
5.
Coping with grief
When you face a loss, you may have feelings of shock, denial, guilt, sadness and
acceptance. Coping with grief involves going through all of these feelings.
How do you get through grief? Here are some tips for dealing with a loss:
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Talk to others about your feelings.
Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy food and work out.
Avoid alcohol. It can make you feel sadder.
Get back into daily tasks.
Avoid big life changes.
Let yourself feel, to cry, to be angry or numb.
Go easy on yourself.
Ask for professional help if you need it.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; Mental Health America
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Emotional Health
6.
Stress relief
Stress is a normal mental and physical answer to life events. Stress itself isn't bad. What
matters is how you deal with it. Steer clear of stress with these calming relaxation
techniques:
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Practice yoga or tai chi.
Listen to soothing music.
Work out regularly.
Think about peaceful mental images and meditate.
Get a massage.
Learn your stress signals so you can know when to practice relaxation techniques. If
stress results in problems coping with everyday life, seek professional help.
Sources: Mayo Clinic; American Psychological Association
7.
Slow down and drive anger away
We live in a busy world. This can sometimes cause harmful emotions, such as anger.
Experts say that anger is okay in the right circumstances and in limited amounts. Anger
should not be a habit. It can hurt your relationships with others. Uncontrolled anger can
also harm your body.
If you feel your anger is out of control, think about seeing a psychologist or other mental
health professional.
Sources: Mayo Clinic; American Psychological Association
8.
Stress
Stress is a normal answer to life’s situations. Even good events can cause stress. But
great stress can cause problems ranging from being tired to heart disease and obesity.
Even less stress over an extended time can be harmful. If you feel overwhelmed by
stress, you may want to talk to your doctor or a professional therapist/counselor.
Sources: American Psychological Association; Mayo Clinic
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Mental Illness
9.
Solving the puzzle
Years ago, mental illness was a great puzzle. Today researchers know so much more
about causes and treatments. They have found that many mental illnesses are the result
of brain chemistry. They may also be the result of traits you are born with or the things
you live through.
Mental issues can result in mild to serious problems with mood, thinking or actions.
Mental illness is a leading cause of disability. Each year, more than 44 million people in
the U.S. suffer from one or more mental disorders.
Seek help if you or a loved one has a problem that won’t go away.
Sources: United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration; American Psychiatric Association; Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research
10.
Master your mind
At one time, the topic of mental illness was very misunderstood. A lot of progress has
been made in understanding and treating it. But there are still myths that can keep
people from getting help. Medicine can be very useful, but it’s not the only resource.
Sometimes therapy alone can help those with mental disorders. Others may need
therapy and medicine. A psychiatrist or other mental health professional can help you
learn more.
Source: American Psychiatric Association
11.
Retrain your brain
There are a number of ways to boost your mental health. Try these tips to help keep
your health in balance:
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Surround yourself with people you can trust who will support and comfort you.
Stave off stress. Limit negative actions, such as listening to downbeat news.
Find time for fun.
Ask for more help. Tune in to your feelings and know when to get more support from
a mental health professional, doctor or religious or spiritual guide.
If you have tried to build up your mental and emotional health and still don’t feel good,
then it’s time to seek professional help. A behavioral health professional can work with
you to set up a treatment plan that meets your needs. Get help early before the problem
is harder to treat.
Source: American Psychiatric Association
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Mental Illness
12.
What’s up with feeling down?
We all go through ups and downs when it comes to our moods. But what’s normal? If
your mood is way down or way up for a long period of time, you may have a mood
disorder. There are four basic types of mood disorders, which include:
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Major depression (feelings of sadness with no hope that lasts)
Bipolar disorder (moods switch between highs and lows)
Seasonal affective disorder or SAD (lower amounts of light, mainly in the winter
months, change moods)
Mania (great activity, ego and optimism)
Are people born with mood disorders? The answer is yes and no. Research shows that
most serious mental illnesses are caused by brain chemicals that are out of balance.
But, a person’s environment can also help or hurt their chances of having a mood
disorder. Fortunately, mental illnesses, even if serious, can be treated. With the right
care, people can lead useful lives.
Sources: Mental Health America; United States Department of Health and Human Services; National
Institutes of Health
13.
Get the facts
Mental illness is widespread. Milder forms touch one-fifth of U.S. adults each year. One
fifth of school-age children also have mental health problems. Three percent of the
people in the U.S. have severe mental illness.
About 20 percent of the people in the U.S. say they have at least one sign of depression
in a given month. About 12 percent say they have two or more in a year. Each year,
close to 44 million people in the U.S. have a mental health problem. In fact, mental
illnesses are among the most widely found health problems that people face. But mental
illnesses can be treated.
If you have any signs or symptoms of a mood disorder, see your doctor or mental health
professional. Most mental illnesses don't get better without help. But if you seek care
early, you can head off problems before they get bigger.
Source: National Institutes of Health; Mental Health America
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Depression
14.
Life is full of ups and downs
On life's roller coaster, sometimes you're up and sometimes you're down. Sadness can
be a normal part of life, but if your blues stay or keep coming back, they may be more
than something you can sing your way through. You may be suffering from depression, a
sickness that affects 20 million people in the U.S. each year. If you are sad for two
weeks or longer, you should get in touch with your doctor, who can offer care choices.
Sources: Mental Health America
15.
Help for depression
Sadness is a part of life. A loved one’s death, a job loss or the ending of a relationship
can all cause pain. It’s normal to have feelings of sadness or grief after stressful events.
People going through these problems may say they are depressed. But sadness and
depression are not the same. Sadness will go away with time, but depression can last
for months, even years. People who have had depression note marked differences
between normal sadness and the disabling weight of major depression. If you think you
may be suffering from depression, seek professional help. Don't lose hope.
Source: National Institutes of Health; Mental Health America, American Psychiatric Association
16.
Crying for Help
Sadness that won’t go away can happen at any time and in certain situations, such as
after the birth of a child or during a specific time of the year.
If your newborn isn’t the only one crying, you may have post partum depression. This
only happens after giving birth. It can begin any time after a child is born and can last up
to a year. If this sounds like you, try these coping tips and seek help if you need it:
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Talk with others about your feelings or fears.
Spend time with friends or a support group.
Work out and eat a healthful diet.
Avoid caffeine, which can set off mood changes.
Sources: National Institutes of Health; Mental Health America, American Psychiatric Association
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Depression
17.
A SAD Feeling
Some people suffer from signs of great sadness during the winter. They feel better
during spring and summer. This kind of sadness is called seasonal affective disorder, or
SAD. SAD affects half a million people every year between September and April. It is
worse in December, January and February.
Here are some tips for dealing with SAD:
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Go through phototherapy (light treatment).
Spend time outdoors during the day.
Bring more sunlight into your home or where you work.
Use drugs as prescribed by a doctor if other measures do not work.
Source: National Institutes of Health; Mental Health America, American Psychiatric Association
18.
Know the signs
One of the most feared results of mood problems is suicide. Taking one’s own life is the
eleventh cause of death in the U.S.
Here are a few warning signs that someone may be thinking about taking their own life:
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Verbal threats, such as “Maybe I won’t be here.”
Taking unusual risks
Earlier tries
Personality changes
Great sadness
Giving away what they have or own
No worry abut the future
For urgent help call this free, 24-hour hotline for anyone in crisis:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Sources: Mental Health America; United States Department of Health and Human Services; National
Institutes of Health
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Depression
19.
Treat emotional health like a life depends upon it
People with major depression are eight times more likely to take their own lives than
those who don’t have this problem. If you believe someone is in danger, don’t delay. Get
professional help:
Some signs of depression include:
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A sad or blank mood that doesn't go away
Sleeping too much or too little
Loss of hope and self worth
Not being involved in hobbies and things once enjoyed
Eating less and weight loss, or eating more and weight gain
Restlessness, bad temper
Physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment
Having a hard time focusing, remembering or making decisions
Worn out or loss of energy
Thoughts of suicide or death
Depression is not a normal part of life, no matter what your age, sex or health situation.
You can change sad to glad. Clinical depression is very treatable, with more than 80
percent of those who seek help showing change for the better.
Sources: National Institutes of Health; Mental Health America, American Psychiatric Association
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Anxiety
20.
Don’t wing it when it comes to your feelings
It's normal to feel that nervous fluttering in your stomach from time to time. But, if you
have worry that lasts, you may have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD causes
problems with daily living and relationships and makes it hard to enjoy life.
Warning signs can include:
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Sleep problems
Tiredness and a bad mood
Trouble focusing
Endless worry about big or little things
Tense or aching body
Shaking or feeling jumpy
Sweating, unsettled stomach or loose stools
Shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat
It could be more than the butterflies. Don’t wing it when it comes to your feelings. Talk to
a mental health professional right away.
Source: Mental Health America
21.
Heading off post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
You may have heard of PTSD and think it’s only about military combat. While that is a
widely seen cause, PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can happen after going through or
seeing other upsetting events. These can include:
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Disasters
Terrorist incidents
Accidents
Physical or sexual attack as a child or adult
If signs of worry, fear, helplessness, guilt, shame or anger last for more than a month,
you may have PTSD. Talk to your doctor if you see these signs.
Source: Mental Health America
22.
Don’t worry, be happy
Telling yourself not to worry can be easier said than done. Worry and fear can be
normal. But, if those fears stay with you, or get worse, you may be suffering from
anxiety. More than 40 million people have one or more illnesses that can change how
much they enjoy life. See your doctor if you feel like you're worrying too much.
Sources: National Institute of Mental Health; The Mayo Clinic
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Children
23.
Know the risks
Emotional problems don’t just happen to adults. About 9 million U.S. children have
serious mental disorders at any given time. But only 1 in 5 of these children is getting the
right care. Some myths about mental illnesses can keep families from seeking help for
their children. As a parent, you want the very best for your child. If signs of mental
problems last and you or others are worried, take your child or teen to the doctor or other
health care professional.
Sources: National Alliance on Mental Illness; American Psychological Assoc; Mental Health America
24.
ADHD: Know the signs
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequent reasons
children are referred for mental health services. It touches as many as 1 in 20 children.
Boys are three to four times more likely than girls to have ADHD. But this problem
affects both boys and girls. Just because a child has a lot of energy or trouble sitting still
in school does not mean the child has ADHD. As a general rule, it is time to talk to a
mental health professional if your child's actions:
 Do not match the age
 Are an on-going pattern
 Get in the way of learning, growth and social progress
Sources: National Alliance on Mental Illness; American Psychological Assoc; Mental Health America
25.
Know the signs of autism
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex developmental disorders of the brain.
ASDs are defined by a set of actions that can range from very mild to severe. Signs to
look for include:
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Lack of, or delay in, spoken language
Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms
Not looking people in the eye
Not caring about other children
Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
Interest only in parts of objects
Little or no smiling
Much about ASDs is not known. But the consensus is: the earlier the diagnosis, the
earlier interventions and treatment can begin. Talk to your child’s doctor if you see these
signs in your child.
Sources: National Alliance on Mental Illness; American Psychological Assoc; Mental Health America
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Teens
26.
Improving the odds for teens
Teens make choices, solve problems and act differently than adults. There is a good
reason: your teen’s brain. Studies show that the part of the brain that controls thinking
and impulses is still changing and maturing well into adulthood. Other big changes in the
brain during the teen years include a rapid gain in the links between cells and changes in
brain pathways. All these things bring about changes in how teens think and act. As a
result of these brain changes, teens may:
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Act without thinking it through or join in unsafe actions
Misread emotions or social cues
Get into accidents
Get involved in fights
While it is normal for all teens to go through brain changes, if you are worried that your
child is having problems, get in touch with the doctor or mental health professional.
Sources: United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health
Services Administration; Mental Health America; American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology;
American Academy of Family Physicians
27.
Facing anger during the teen years
When kids enter the teen scene, it brings strong mental and physical changes and
special challenges to teens and parents. Loving families can help protect teens against
unsafe actions. But even in the most loving homes, the teen years can lead to anger.
The best way to deal with anger is to step back, calm down and try to deal with problems
in a more thoughtful way. Here are some calming down tips to help you be a good role
model for your teen:
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Pick your battles.
Take a deep breath; count to ten.
Think before you speak.
Go for a walk.
Talk to yourself first. Remind yourself to calm down.
Reframe the problem. Focus on what might really be going on.
Use humor, but without sarcasm.
If anger becomes a problem for someone in the family, or if you think your family is at a
crisis point, seek help from a mental health professional.
Sources: United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health
Services Administration, Mental Health America, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology;
American Academy of Family Physicians
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Teens
28.
Suicide
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 10 to 24-year-olds. If you suspect your
teen or young adult is in trouble, seek help right away from a mental health professional.
Sources: United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health
Services Administration, Mental Health America, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology;
American Academy of Family Physicians
29.
Doctor’s orders
In 2008, 1.9 million young people age 12 to 17 misused prescription drugs. Painkillers
were misused by 1.6 million teens. That makes painkillers one of the most often misused
drugs by teens.
Teens and young adults sometimes misuse prescription drugs to get high, to help with
school work and to treat pain. They might think that because some drugs are prescribed
by doctors they are safe to use without doctors’ orders. Or they think it’s not necessary
to take drugs the right way. But taking medicine prescribed for someone else or not
taking it as directed can result in addiction. It can also be deadly.
If you think your teen might have a problem, talk to your doctor right away.
Sources: National Institute of Drug Abuse; American Psychiatric Association; Mental Health America
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Healthy Aging
30.
Give recall a boost
There are no known treatments that promise you will not have memory problems as you
age. But research shows that healthy diets rich in unsaturated fats, such as fish oils, can
lower your chances of having problems. Here are some other ways to boost recall and
mental health throughout life:
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Socialize regularly.
Keep your mind active.
Eat a healthy diet.
Exercise daily.
Focus by limiting distractions.
Get organized.
Take care of a health problem that lasts a long time.
If you are a care giver, don’t let recall problems in an older adult go untreated. If memory
loss keeps them from completing their normal daily actions, talk to their doctor.
Sources: MayoClinic.com; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Psychological Association
31.
Ageless advice for a healthy life
Healthy aging involves both mind and body. Good mental health is worth a lot at every
age. Take steps now to make your mind and body strong for a healthier, happier future.
There are many good lifestyle choices you can make to keep your mind healthy. The
mind, like the body, is helped when you do these things:
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Take charge of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Eat wholesome food.
Keep a healthy weight.
Stay active.
Sources: Mental Health America; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
32.
Some things are better with age
Getting older comes with its own challenges. But a healthy mind can help you enjoy your
golden years. Good mental health will also help you better handle tough situations.
Being in good mental health doesn’t mean you are never sad or in a bad mood. But if
gloomy moods last, you could have a bigger problem. Studies show that mental illnesses
in older people are often not noticed. Nearly 20 percent of people age 55 and older have
mental disorders that are not part of normal aging. If you are concerned for yourself or a
parent, get in touch with your doctor or mental health professional.
Sources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services; American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
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Healthy Aging
33.
The march of time: Keeping the mind in good shape as you age
People in the U.S. are living longer and wanting to stay healthy in both mind and body.
While you can’t stop the march of time, you can take steps to keep your mind and
emotions healthy. Many of the things you do to keep your body healthy also help your
mind, including:
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Staying physically active and having a good outlook
Eating healthy meals
Lowering stress
Following doctor’s drug orders
Giving your mind a work out with puzzles, crosswords and mental exercises.
Sources: MayoClinic.com; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Psychological Association
34.
Healthy aging
Depression isn’t a normal part of growing older. But you do have more chance of having
this problem as you age. Depression is more widely found in people who also have other
illnesses or become disabled. About 80 percent of older adults have at least one health
problem that lasts a long time. Fifty percent have two or more. Seek help if you or a
loved one stays sad for too long.
Sources: MayoClinic.com; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Psychological Association
35.
Understanding forgetfulness in older adults
Some changes in recall are part of getting older. It’s easy to misplace the car keys or
forget a name. But it can be scary when an aging parent becomes more forgetful.
Forgetting to turn off the stove or getting lost in well known places might be a sign of a
more serious problem. These types of recall problems may be a sign of dementia or
Alzheimer’s. If you are concerned about a loved one’s forgetfulness, get in touch with a
mental health professional for guidance.
Sources: MayoClinic.com; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Psychological Association
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Healthy Aging
36.
Work out for the mind
As you age, it’s just as vital to keep your mind healthy as it is to keep your body in good
shape. Here are some ways to keep your mind active:
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Learn new things.
Read a challenging book.
Work crossword or other puzzles.
Take classes; go to lectures and plays.
Try memory exercises.
When you look for ways to keep your mind in its best shape, you can help keep your
mind healthy throughout each stage of your life.
Sources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services; American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
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Mind-Body Connection
37.
Think about the physical health link
Many people in the U.S. are discovering the link between good mental and physical
health. It’s often called the mind-body connection since your body reacts to the way you
think, feel and act. Want to help your mental and physical health? Try these ideas:
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Express your feelings in the right ways rather than keeping them inside.
Live a balanced life by reducing things that cause you stress and adding fun
things.
Build resilience to cope with stress in a healthy way.
Calm your mind and body using deep breathing or meditation.
Eat healthy meals, get plenty of sleep and work out regularly.
Avoid overeating and don’t misuse drugs or alcohol.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Psychological Association
38.
Recipe for a healthy mind
Food doesn’t just feed the body, it also feeds the mind. Poor eating habits can change
how your brain works. No one knows exactly which foods help your mental health the
most. But you can come out a winner and boost your energy, mood and overall wellness
by sticking to a healthy diet.
Sources: National Alliance on Mental Illness; Mental Health America
39.
Healthy food for a healthy mind
The word diet does not mean boring, or hard. A good diet should include food you enjoy.
The key is eating all kinds of food, serving the right size portions, and cooking food in a
healthy way. Sometimes just a few changes can mean a big reward in both physical and
emotional health.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Psychological Association
40.
Mental health tidbits to chew on
Emotional eating: People often use food as a way to deal with emotional problems.
Some people eat when they are stressed, bored, sad or afraid. Finding out what food
means to you is the first step in taking control of your eating.
Sources: National Alliance on Mental Illness; Mental Health America
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Mind-Body Connection
41.
Healthy eating
Balance is the key to eating well. Your daily food should include fruits, vegetables, whole
grains and fat-free or low-fat milk products, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and
nuts. Experts also suggest a diet low in saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, salt and
sugars. By sticking to a balanced diet, you can reap these rewards:
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Boost your energy
Fuel your mind
Influence mood-related body chemicals
Act against the impact of stress on your body
Lower your chances of getting certain diseases
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Psychological Association
42.
Mind matters
When it comes to your health, the mind matters. Studies have shown there is a close link
between your physical and mental health. In fact, poor mental health can weaken your
body’s immune system, making it more likely you’ll get sick. Because your emotions
have such an impact on your overall health, be sure to talk with your doctor about your
feelings. This is very important if you have harmful feelings that don’t go away, or are so
strong that you can’t enjoy life.
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
43.
Balancing act
Balance for your body and your brain: Your mind works best when fed all kinds of food.
Your brain needs carbohydrates, fats and proteins to regulate your mood and thinking.
Streamline the blood flow to your brain. Your brain needs a strong blood flow to bring
oxygen and food to your brain. Saturated fats and cholesterol can make your blood
vessels smaller.
Sources: National Alliance on Mental Illness; Mental Health America
44.
Motion’s the potion
Working out can help your body deal with stress. It is also good for your emotional
health. Aim for 30 minutes or more of exercise per day to get the best results.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Psychological Association
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Eating Disorders
45.
Learn the truth about eating disorders
Eating disorders are complex emotional problems that can lead to serious health
problems. Once started, they are hard to stop. These life-threatening problems often
begin with worry about food and weight. But they are often about much more. People
with eating disorders often try to handle feelings and emotions with food. If you think you
may have an eating disorder, seek help early from a behavioral health professional. You
will have a better chance of beating it.
Sources: SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services; National Eating Disorders Association
46.
Seeing is believing: Do you have healthy feelings about your body?
Mirror, mirror on the wall, are you the thinnest of them all? If you don’t like the size or
shape of your body, you have a higher chance of developing an eating disorder. You
may also feel sad, alone, have poor self-esteem and be too focused on weight loss.
When you are surrounded by pictures of skinny celebrities or beefed up athletes, it can
be easy to have false ideas about body image. Take time to value what’s good about the
body you have. Learn to value it both inside and out.
Sources: SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services; National Eating Disorders Association
47.
Consumed by food: How eating disorders harm the body
Eating disorders can cause serious health problems. Here are some ways they can
harm the body:
Anorexia Nervosa (self starvation):
 Heart problems
 Weak bones due to calcium loss
 Anemia and swollen joints
Bulimia Nervosa (bingeing and then throwing up):
 Injured teeth, esophagus and stomach
 Irregular heartbeats and heart problems
 Peptic ulcers and inflamed pancreas
Binge-Eating Disorder (eating too much food):
 Obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
 Tiredness and joint pain
 Type II diabetes, gallbladder and heart problems
If you think you have one of these problems, seek help early from a behavioral health
professional.
Sources: SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services; National Eating Disorders Association
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Substance Abuse and Addiction
48.
Recovering from addiction is possible
Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by out-ofcontrol drug seeking and use, even when that use causes problems. It is considered a
brain illness because drugs change the brain. They change its structure and how it
works.
But scientific discoveries have led to advances that can help. Many treatments that get
results are available. But like every journey, the road to healing begins with the first step.
In this case, the first step is seeing the problem. If you think you, or someone you know
might have a problem, seek help from your doctor or other mental health professional.
Don’t delay. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can beat addiction.
Sources: National Institute of Drug Abuse; American Psychiatric Association; Mental Health America
49.
Be smart: Follow doctor’s orders
The nonmedical use or misuse of prescription drugs is a grave and growing problem in
the U.S. Many people think that because some drugs are prescribed by doctors they are
safe to use without doctors’ orders. Or people think they don’t have to take these drugs
the right way. But not taking drugs as your doctor meant can result in addiction. It can
also be deadly. Never take drugs prescribed for someone else. Ask your doctor or
pharmacist if you have any questions about the drugs you are taking.
Sources: National Institute of Drug Abuse; American Psychiatric Association; Mental Health America
50.
Break the chains
Insight into substance abuse and addiction has made great progress thanks to research
about the brain. This has led to treatments that can help people.
Addiction is an illness that affects both the brain and actions. But it need not be a life
sentence. Like many long-term illnesses, addiction can be handled so that people can
beat the illness.
If you, or someone you know has a problem, seek help from your doctor or other mental
health professional. Don’t delay.
Sources: National Institute of Drug Abuse; American Psychiatric Association; Mental Health America
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Substance Abuse and Addiction
51.
Taking control
The misuse of drugs and alcohol is by far the leading cause of illnesses in the U.S. that
could be avoided.
 People who suffer from addiction often have one or more health problems. They are
more likely to have physical illnesses and mental disorders. Substance abuse
doesn’t cause a mental health problem, but these two illnesses often are found at the
same time.
 It’s not just health that suffers. Finances, relationships and careers can be ruined.
 The misuse of drugs and alcohol is the leading cause of premature death in the U.S.
If you think you, or someone you know has a problem, seek help from your doctor or
other mental health professional.
Sources: National Institute of Drug Abuse; American Psychiatric Association; Mental Health America
52.
Every journey begins with a single step
The first step to healing from addiction is seeing the problem. This step is often made
tough by a lack of understanding or denial. In these cases, the help of friends and family
often prompts the start of healing. There are many warning signs including:




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Using the substance on a regular basis (daily, weekends or in binges)
Tolerance for the substance
Failed tries to stop
Physical and/or emotional craving
Withdrawal symptoms
If you think you, or someone you know has a problem, seek help from your doctor or
other mental health professional.
Sources: National Institute of Drug Abuse; American Psychiatric Association; Mental Health America
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