Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health
Copyright Note: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. This book is intended only as an informative guide for those wishing to know more about health issues. In no way is this book intended to replace, countermand, or conflict with the advice given to you by your own physician. The ultimate decision concerning care should be made between you and your doctor. We strongly recommend you follow his or her advice. Information in this book is general and is offered with no guarantees on the part of the authors or Da Capo Press. The authors and publisher disclaim all liability in connec tion with the use of this book. The names and identifying details of people associated with events described in this book have been changed. Any similarity to actual persons is coincidental. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Da Capo Press was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in initial capital letters. Copyright © 2018 by Happyable, Inc. Cover design by Kerry Rubenstein Cover copyright © 2018 Hachette Book Group, Inc. Hachette Book Group supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for
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Contents
Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication author’s note prologue
1 What Is Mental Health? What You Should Know and Where to
Start 2 Why Can It Feel So Hard to Get Better? 3 How Do I Know If I Need Help? Warning Signs and What to
Look For 4 Mental Health Professionals Decoded: Who Does What? 5 What Is Best for Me? Finding the Right Kind of Therapy 6 Preparing for Your First Appointment: What to Expect and
Questions to Ask 7 Is My Therapist a Good Fit? Feeling the “Click” in a
Therapeutic Relationship 8 What Are Toxic Relationships? Warning Signs and Ways to Get
Out of Them 9 Communication: The Key to a Happy, Healthy Life! 10 Avoiding Common Mistakes and Healing Broken Relationships
at Home, at Work, and in Life
11 Help! I Am in Therapy and Still Struggling: How to Get More
Help When We Need It Epilogue appendix a: glossary appendix b: helpful resources and reminders notes index
Start
What’s the difference between mental health and mental illness? We all have mental health. The term mental health is often thought to be synonymous with mental illness, but that is simply not true. Our mental health is how we are doing psychologically and emotionally. In other words, how are you feeling today? And I don’t want the thoughtless “I’m fine” answer, but honestly, how are you doing? Are you able to keep up with work or school? How are your relationships? How is your home life? If you’re doing pretty well in life, keeping up with your responsibilities, making time for meaningful relationships, and are able to manage any small upset that occurs, I would say your mental health is in good shape. On the other hand, if you are feeling more tired than usual, not enjoying the things you used to, and a minor upset ruins your entire day, then you may need to put more effort into your mental health. When I am tearful for no reason, I know that I need to take better care
of myself. I could cry watching a commercial or get easily upset by a small conflict. Whatever minor issue comes up, I feel so emotionally taxed that I simply can’t handle it. When I find myself feeling this way, I know I need to carve out some self-care time as well as call my therapist for a session. Since we can’t see our mental health in the same manner we can often see our physical health, it’s an ….