Mental Health
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Management
Prevention
What to Expect
Living Well
Mental health affects your daily functioning, your physical health, and how you respond to stress. Conditions like anxiety, depression, and chronic stress can influence blood pressure, sleep, inflammation, and recovery from illness.
Your emotional health affects your physical health in many ways. And managing a medical condition can influence your mental health as well.
Mental health care is effective, and many people feel better with support, treatment, and healthy routines. This hub shares information and resources to help you understand the connection and take steps toward feeling well.
Mental health plays a major role in your overall well-being—including your heart and vascular health. Stress, anxiety, and depression can influence blood pressure, heart rate, inflammation, sleep, and how your body recovers from illness. When mental health symptoms go unaddressed, they can make it harder to manage chronic conditions and maintain the routines that support long-term health.
Many people delay getting support. Symptoms may come and go, feel manageable at first, or get pushed aside by work, caregiving, or other responsibilities. But mental health affects how you think, feel, and function every day. Noticing changes early can help you take steps before things feel overwhelming.
People often face barriers when thinking about mental health care, like concerns about cost or time, stigma, medication, or not knowing where to begin. These thoughts are common, and they can make reaching out feel harder than it should.
Caring for your mind is just as important as caring for your heart. Small steps, early conversations, and the right resources can make a meaningful difference in how you feel and how you navigate your health.
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The Mind–Body Connection
Mental health conditions affect not only how you feel emotionally but also your heart, blood vessels, immune system, hormones, and daily energy levels.
When your emotional health is under strain, your body responds. Stress hormones increase, inflammation can rise, and blood pressure and heart rate may stay higher than usual. Over time, these changes can put extra stress on your cardiovascular system and make it harder for your body to stay in balance.
Mental health conditions can also influence daily habits that support physical health. You may sleep less, move less, eat differently, or find it harder to keep up with medications or routines. These changes can make it more difficult for your body to maintain steady, healthy functioning.
Caring for your emotional health supports your physical health as well. When you feel more supported and connected, your heart and blood vessels can work more efficiently, inflammation may decrease, and your body can handle stress more effectively.
Common Conditions and Warning Signs
Mental health conditions can affect people in different ways. Knowing the basics can help you recognize patterns early and understand when it may be time to reach out for support.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders involve ongoing worry or fear that is hard to control. They may show up as:
Constant or excessive worry
Sudden episodes of intense fear (panic attacks)
Physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, muscle tension, stomach discomfort, or trouble sleeping
Depression
Depression affects how you think, feel, and function. It may include:
Persistent sadness or low mood
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Different forms of depression include major depression, postpartum depression, and seasonal patterns.
Stress-Related Conditions
Long-term stress can affect your mood, behavior, and physical health. This may look like:
Feeling overwhelmed or irritable
Trouble relaxing
Headaches, muscle tension, or digestive issues
Burnout related to work, caregiving, or major life changes
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can develop after a traumatic event. Symptoms may include:
Intrusive memories or flashbacks
Avoiding reminders of the event
Feeling on edge or easily startled
Trouble sleeping or concentrating
Substance Use Disorders
Some people use alcohol or drugs to cope with emotions or stress. Warning signs include:
Using substances to manage feelings
Needing more to get the same effect
Difficulty cutting back
Continued use despite consequences
Other Conditions
Mental health also includes disorders such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders. These conditions may require specialized support and treatment.
Early Warning Signs
Pay attention to patterns that last more than a couple of weeks, such as:
Ongoing sadness, worry, or irritability
Withdrawing from friends or activities
Significant changes in sleep or appetite
Difficulty focusing or completing tasks
Low energy or loss of motivation
Physical symptoms without a clear medical cause
Crisis Warning Signs (Seek Help Immediately)
Get help right away if you notice:
Talking about wanting to die or self-harm
Looking for ways to harm oneself
Feeling hopeless or like a burden
Major changes in behavior or personality
Increased substance use
Intense agitation, rage, or sudden mood shifts
When to Reach Out for Professional Support
Consider connecting with a clinician if:
Symptoms affect your daily life, relationships, or work
You are using substances to cope
Anxiety, panic, or depression interferes with your routine
You feel overwhelmed and past strategies aren’t helping
You don’t need to wait for symptoms to become severe. Early support can make a meaningful difference.
If You’re in Immediate Crisis
Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Text HOME to 741741
Visit 988lifeline.org for chat support
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if someone is in immediate danger
Prevention and Self-Care Strategies
Maintaining your mental health is a steady, ongoing process. Small habits and regular check-ins can help you recognize changes early and support your overall well-being.
Build Routines That Support You
Simple, consistent routines can make daily life feel more manageable. This may include:
Regular sleep and wake times
Nutritious meals and steady hydration
Moments of quiet or reflection
Time for movement or gentle activity
Predictable transitions between work, home, and rest
Notice Your Personal Stress Signals
Everyone experiences stress differently. Common signs include:
Physical tension, headaches, or stomach discomfort
Irritability or feeling overwhelmed
Difficulty concentrating
Changes in sleep or appetite
Withdrawing from others
Recognizing these early can help you respond before symptoms build.
Pause and Reset When You Need To
Brief, simple tools can help calm your nervous system, such as:
Slow, deep breathing
Stretching or a short walk
Reaching out to someone you trust
A few minutes away from screens or stimulation
These small resets can help you regain a sense of steadiness.
Stay Connected
Connection plays a key role in emotional health. This may look like:
Talking with a friend or family member
Participating in a support group
Spending time in your community
Reaching out when you need help
You don’t need to navigate difficult moments alone.
Know When Self-Care Isn’t Enough
Self-care helps, but it isn’t a replacement for professional support. If symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting your daily life, it may be time to:
Talk with a clinician
Connect with a therapist
Ask about medication options
Explore additional community or mental health resources
Reaching out for support is a sign of taking your health seriously.
Treatment and Ongoing Care
Mental health treatment can include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of approaches. The type of care someone needs depends on their symptoms and their overall health. Treatment plans often involve regular follow-up to see what is helping and whether adjustments are needed.
Therapy
Therapy provides a structured space to talk through concerns, learn coping strategies, and build skills for managing symptoms. Options may include:
Individual therapy
Group therapy
Family or couples therapy
In-person or virtual sessions
Different therapy approaches may be used depending on the symptoms being addressed.
Medication
Medication can help manage certain mental health symptoms. Your primary care clinician, a psychiatrist, or another qualified prescribing clinician can help determine whether medication is a good option and monitor how well it’s working.
Ongoing monitoring is important to assess effectiveness, side effects, and any needed changes in dosage or type.
Lifestyle Supports
Daily habits can play a role in supporting mental health treatment. These may include:
Regular sleep patterns
Nutritious meals and consistent hydration
Physical activity
Time outdoors
Calming or grounding practices
Social connection
These habits can work alongside therapy or medication to support overall well-being.
Coordinated Care
Mental and physical health often influence each other. When someone is managing a medical condition — such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, or recovery from a vascular event — sharing information between treating clinicians may help:
Identify medication interactions
Monitor symptoms more effectively
Understand how emotional and physical symptoms relate
Coordinated care can help create a clearer picture of someone’s overall health needs.
Monitoring Progress Over Time
Mental health symptoms can change over time. Some people may notice periods of improvement followed by times when symptoms increase again. Keeping track of these changes can help guide future care decisions.
When to Update a Treatment Plan
A treatment plan may need to be reviewed if:
Symptoms become more intense
Daily activities become harder to manage
Current supports are no longer helpful
New symptoms appear
Connecting with a clinician can help determine the next steps.
If You Need Help Right Now
If you are thinking about harming yourself or are worried about your safety, help is available 24/7:
Call or text 988
Text HOME to 741741
Go to the nearest emergency room if you’re in immediate danger