Mental Wellbeing Neutral Bay, Sydney NSW

Some of the main types of mental illnesses include:

• anxiety disorders
• eating disorders
• mood disorders (including depression and bipolar disorder)
• personality disorders
• psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
• substance abuse disorders (such as addiction)
• trauma-related disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder)

Some of the foods that may help to improve our mental health include:

• Salmon – rich in omega 3 fatty acids, it is proven to boost cognitive function and has been linked to reducing depression.
• Chicken – contains tryptophan which helps your body to produce serotonin to manage moods and fight depression.
• Avocado – high in vitamin K, folate and lutein to help improve cognitive function.
• Whole grains – includes beans, soy, oats, potato and wild rice. Provides a consistent source of energy and helps the body to absorb tryptophan from other food sources to improve brain function.
• Spinach – helps to fight off insomnia and prevent depression.
• Yoghurt – natural yoghurt and other products with active cultures help with digestion and can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Magnesium and potassium in yoghurt can also improve brain function.
• Nuts – may be able to help fight depression and improve brain function.
• Olive Oil – may help to improve brain function and remove proteins that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
• Tomatoes – help to fight off cell damage and brain disease, as well as improves cognitive function.
• Dark chocolate – the darker the better as the benefits lie in the cocoa. It is rich in flavonoids, a type of antioxidant, which can improve cognitive function.

In general, mental illnesses are thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors including:

• Family history. It does not mean that it will affect you however, certain stressful events may trigger mental illness.
• Environmental exposures before birth. If your mother was exposed to environmental stressors, such as inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol or drugs, while you were in the womb, you may be at increased risk of certain mental illnesses.
• Brain chemistry. An imbalance in chemicals in the brain
• Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When the neural networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, leading to depression and other emotional disorders.

There is no guaranteed way to prevent mental illness however, there are a few steps that you can take to reduce the symptoms and better manage them. These include managing stress more effectively, paying attention to any of the warning signs, self-reflection, checking on your friends and opening up discussion about it, checking in with a doctor and getting the right treatment when you need it. Additionally, looking after your physical and social health is also very important. Interacting with others, engaging in social activities, getting enough sleep, regular physical activity and a healthy diet all contribute to your overall health.