Onset of and Living with Mental Health Disorders

Throughout the span of human development there is a lot of work a person has to do mentally. When our bodies age, our minds have to grow up too. Each phase of life has its own tasks to accomplish based on age and maturity. The timespan that is most crucial to becoming a well-rounded and overall healthy human begins in adolescence and ends in early adulthood.

Adolescence is the time when an individual is going through puberty, trying to figure out who they are as a human, and building a close network of peers. This typically takes place between the ages of 12 and 16. Think back to those years and the different things being asked of you as you aged. The next timespan that is cr

ucial is that of young adulthood: the ages between 20 and 25. This is when a person takes control of their own life, with or without support of others; managing financial independence; and establishing and navigating long-term romantic relationships. There is a mental health phenomenon that occurs in this timespan known by many as the “quarter-life crisis.” 

These years can be the most overwhelming if not managed well. There is little surprise that mental health concerns are on the rise during these formative years. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) states 50% of all mental health disorders start by age 14, and 75% start by age 24. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 1 in 7 people are suffering from a mental health disorder. This information speaks to the pressure young people are under and can make the future appear uncertain. But there are things that can be done to make living with a mental health disorder easier. 

The three most important things a person can do to improve their mental health are to get the required amount of sleep each night, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and to get routine physical exercise. These are known to many clinicians as protective factors. It’s not easy to do these three things consistently when the main hobbies of people 14 to 25 are digitally based. Digital hobbies often mean people are sedentary and are up longer hours than they intend to be. Think of protective factors like car maintenance; you need to put gas in the tank (eating right), you need to run the engine regularly (routine exercise), and give the car periods of rest (sleep). 

If those protective factors aren’t enough on their own, know that you aren’t failing with your mental health. It is important to know when to ask for help. If you are not feeling good on a daily basis and the protective factors aren’t consistent, it might be beneficial to come talk to a licensed professional. Sometimes we can do everything right and still be faced with mental health concerns. They are so prevalent, you are not alone.