Maxicare Logo

Mental Health

Your mental health is of the utmost importance

Image of a Woman doing yoga implying Maxicare mental health programs

How can I take better care of my mental health?

Mental health management is important at every stage of life

It is important to not only take proper care of our physical well-being, but our mental well-being as well. Maintaing a healthy mental life allows us to tackle challenges head-on as well as understand our own selves better. Concern for mental health might have only arisen relatively recently in the medical field, but it has always been important, and will always continue to be.

Common conditions

Below is a list of mental health conditions and
their symptoms

Depression
  • Feeling sad or anxious often or all the time
  • Not wanting to do activities that used to be fun
  • Feeling irritable‚ easily frustrated‚ or restless
  • Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Waking up too early or sleeping too much
  • Eating more or less than usual or having no appetite
  • Experiencing aches, pains, headaches, or stomach problems that do not improve with treatment
  • Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions
  • Feeling tired‚ even after sleeping well
  • Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
  • Thinking about suicide or hurting yourself
Anxiety Disorder
  • Feeling nervous, restless or tense
  • Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
  • Having an increased heart rate
  • Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
  • Having trouble sleeping
  • Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
  • Having difficulty controlling worry
  • Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
Stress
  • Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
  • Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Nightmares or problems sleeping
  • Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, or skin rashes
  • Worsening of chronic health problems and mental health conditions
  • Increased use of alcohol, illegal drugs (like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine), and misuse of prescription drugs (like opioids)
Image of a Woman with Her Coffee and Laptop Implying Dealing with Mental Health

Mental Health

Taking Care of your Emotional Health and Well-Being

Taking Care of your Emotional Health and Well-Being

Emotional well-being is how well people can process their emotions and cope with life challenges. Managing stress, fostering positive social connections, and taking care of physical and mental health can help maintain good emotional well-being. Signs when a person is...

read more
Feeling Burnt Out? Keep These In Mind

Feeling Burnt Out? Keep These In Mind

  Burnout happens when we give so much of ourselves to others—our work, our families, our friends, our colleagues—for long periods of time. In other words, it happens when we’ve spread ourselves thin. Experiencing burnout is something we want to pull ourselves...

read more
How to Take Care of Your Mind as You Age

How to Take Care of Your Mind as You Age

Dementia and other brain diseases usually afflict people in old age, but improving your habits and lifestyle as early as possible can help prevent them.   Today, we can all agree that looking out for our mental health cannot be separated from self-care. After...

read more
Taking Care of your Emotional Health and Well-Being

Taking Care of your Emotional Health and Well-Being

Emotional well-being is how well people can process their emotions and cope with life challenges. Managing stress, fostering positive social connections, and taking care of physical and mental health can help maintain good emotional well-being. Signs when a person is...

read more
Feeling Burnt Out? Keep These In Mind

Feeling Burnt Out? Keep These In Mind

  Burnout happens when we give so much of ourselves to others—our work, our families, our friends, our colleagues—for long periods of time. In other words, it happens when we’ve spread ourselves thin. Experiencing burnout is something we want to pull ourselves...

read more
How to Take Care of Your Mind as You Age

How to Take Care of Your Mind as You Age

Dementia and other brain diseases usually afflict people in old age, but improving your habits and lifestyle as early as possible can help prevent them.   Today, we can all agree that looking out for our mental health cannot be separated from self-care. After...

read more

Have any questions?

Who is at risk of depression?
  • Depression can affect anyone.

  • Females are more likely to suffer from depression than males, however, depression affects males as well.

  • Some of the risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing depression:

    • Having a family member with depression

    • Stressful life events 

    • Adverse childhood experiences 

    • Certain medical conditions may increase risk for depression, for example, stroke, multiple sclerosis, HIV

Is depression treatable?

There are effective treatments for depression which have been established through research; many treatments for depression have been around for years. Many people ignore signs of depression despite experiencing significant suffering. This may be due to stigma, lack of awareness, and/or barriers to accessing care. Untreated depression confers several risks. Discussing your concerns about depression with your doctor can often be the first step in getting professional help.

What are the risks of untreated depression?

Untreated depression can increase risk of depressive episodes becoming more frequent, prolonged and/or severe over time and increase risk of suicide. It can significantly interfere with one’s functioning at work, school, and/or in interpersonal relationships. Depression can also increase risk of alcohol and/or substance use disorders. Additionally, depression can worsen the course and outcome of chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and others.

Do I have an anxiety disorder?

Anxiety is a normal part of living. It’s a biological reaction—the body’s way of telling us something isn’t right. It keeps us from harm’s way and prepares us to act quickly in the face of danger. But if your anxiety becomes overwhelming and persistent, or if it interferes with your regular daily activities, or even makes them impossible, you may have an anxiety disorder.

What causes anxiety disorders?

Researchers are learning that anxiety disorders run in families, and that they have a biological basis, much like allergies or diabetes and other disorders. Anxiety disorders may develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.

What anxiety treatment options are available?

Treatments for anxiety disorders may include medication or therapy; both types have been found effective. A combination of medication and therapy may also be effective. The decision about treatment is based on your needs and preferences.

Is all stress bad?

No. Stress can motivate people to prepare or perform, like when they need to take a test or interview for a new job. Stress can be life-saving in response to danger as your body prepares to face a threat or flee to safety. In these situations, your pulse quickens, you breathe faster, your muscles tense, your brain uses more oxygen and increases activity–all functions aimed at survival.

Does stress affect my blood pressure?

Stress has not been shown to directly cause high blood pressure, but it can lead to unhealthy lifestyle choices that are associated with high blood pressure. Chronic stress can weaken your immune system and cause uncomfortable physical symptoms like headaches and stomach problems.

Can medications help me lower my stress level?

Medicines are helpful for many things, but usually not for stress. Some people take tranquilizers to calm them down immediately, but it’s far better in the long term to learn to manage your stress through relaxation or stress management techniques. Be careful not to confuse stress with anxiety. If you suffer from anxiety, speak with your doctor a treatment or management plan including whether you need medication.

Loading up the path to your best life