When we think of behaviors we may think of arrogancy, gentleness, aggressiveness, or even boyish behavior! However, our behavioral health is more than how we act. It is also how we manage feelings, use them for coping, creating relationships, and more.
Understanding behavioral health is the key to learning more about ourselves and how we can better our life. Learn more about behavioral health, behavioral health vs mental health, and when you should seek a mental health professional for assistance.
What is Behavioral Health?
According to Retreat Behavioral Health, “Behavioral health refers to how our daily cognitive habits affect our overall well-being, emotions, biology, and behavior.”
Our behavioral health is what determines how we make decisions throughout our day. For example, our food choices, decisions at work, what time we go to bed, and who we hang out with are all connected to our behavioral health.
Someone who takes proper care of their behavioral health probably eats balanced meals, achieves personal goals in their workplace, gets plenty of rest, and makes lasting positive relationships with those around them.
Is Behavioral Health Different Than Mental Health?
While many people discuss behavioral health as the same as mental health, there are some differences. Both behavioral and mental health plays a role in our lives. The way we act is based on our behavioral health and the way we think and feel is based on our mental health.
For instance, the decision to break the way speeding is a behavioral issue and the symptoms of depression are a mental issue. Another way to look at these two is by their conditions.
Mental health deals with mental illness and various disorders such as social anxiety disorder or borderline personality disorder. Behavioral health explains addictions and substance abuse.
What Influences Our Behavioral Health?
Despite the differences between behavioral and mental health, our mental health is part of what influences our behavior. If someone is living with some form of mental illness or disorder, this can cause behavioral issues in their life.
For example, consider a person diagnosed with a bipolar personality disorder. This mental health disorder can cause an individual to experience hypomania and depressive episodes that coincide with behavioral health.
Other things that influence behavioral health are the environment and past experiences. Someone raised without proper instruction on taking care of their body may find it difficult to practice healthy habits.
Similarly, when someone is surrounded by others with poor behavioral health it can influence their own health. They may partake in drug use, bullying, aggression towards others, and domestic abuse.
Symptoms of Poor Behavioral Health
If you have poor behavioral health, you may see that in your everyday life. Poor behavioral health often causes us to create bad habits. Common habits one might exhibit could be substance abuse and addiction.
If someone is experiencing difficulty controlling their behavior, they may be less resilient against their core desires. This is why many live with alcoholism, gambling addictions, and other compulsive-driven actions.
People with poor behavioral health may live with a mental illness as well. Because behavior and mentality are so closely intertwined, it is difficult to have one issue and not the other. Many people live with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, thoughts of self-harm, and suicide.
Signs You Need Professional Assistance
If you find yourself unable to control your behavior around yourself and others, you may want to speak with a mental health professional. A therapist or psychologist can help you understand why you may behave in a certain manner. They can also explore your background and influences. With their help, you can learn more about behavioral health and how to practice good habits.
There are also various helplines and support groups if you feel you are a danger to yourself. If you have thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or substance use seek immediate help. Taking the first step towards better behavioral health is the hardest, but it is the best decision for you.
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