Emotional Health vs Mental Health: What’s the difference?
What is the difference between Emotional Health vs. Mental Health?
And how do you differentiate the two when practicing cognitive hygiene?
And how do you differentiate the two when practicing cognitive hygiene?
Comments (38)
It is probably more about different choice of words, and the term ' emotional wellbeing' is usually used rather than 'emotional health'. Generally 'mental health' is more of a medical label, encompassing a wide range of difficulties, including but not restricted to mood disorders. But, the concept of mental health is used as a commonplace term generally to describe people's experiences of a wide range of difficulties or lack of difficulties. 'Emotional wellbeing' as the way in which can live in a way with a relative lack of distress, and, with some reference to ways to enable this, such as through talking about worries and stress and techniques for relaxation.
Where did you come across the idea of 'cognitive hygiene', as it is a term which I have never come across before, although I have heard of the term 'mental hygiene', which I believe is seen as a rather dated term as it has implications of 'cleanlliness', which raises questions. But, there is a big emphasis within the field of mental health care upon cognitive techniques to help people with their experience of difficulties, especially the cognitive behavioral approach to therapy. This is an approach, which includes looking at 'cognitions' or thoughts and how they impact on a person's wellbeing.
One important thing to bear in mind is that all these terms, are to some extent, ways of categorizing people's experiences arising within psychiatry. In the past, there was the tradition of antipsychiatry which looked at labels and diagnosis critically, viewing them as ways of defining what is seen as 'abnormal' and the political aspects of this. However, antipsychiatry is less popular because it could be seen as dismissive of the reality of the suffering of individuals' difficulties. Nevertheless, labels can be used as a way of stigmatising people, so it is important that they are not used in such a way, but in a way which enables people to refer to their experiences in a way which can enable them to access support and care.
Whether one holds a rational or irrational belief is contingent on the knowledge available and such a quality is independent from whether it is factual, absolute, transient, or not. None of these terms are mutually exclusive or intrinsic pairs. Followers of geocentrism used all the same standards, methods, and systems of rationality we have today, they were simply without the tools to see more than what was available. Were these men crazy? No they where brilliant scholars, the best of their time, more likely so than either you or I. The followers of heliocentrism were in fact the ones who held the correct belief, yet were labeled as crazy because no evidence to the contrary was presented due to the fact the tools to do so were simply unavailable.
What's actually crazy in my view is a man who thinks that in this world of violence, strife, and immense personal greed, who is actually aware the universe is populated with trillions of planets and many galaxies we cannot even see as well as phenomena that can only be "explained" in incomplete and half-assed manners (ie. black holes, they probably go somewhere, we think), can even muster the audacity to think he knows what happens after death let alone the full nature of life and existence, it's borderline insanity. It's disgusting. They need to be rounded up in the street and locked far away from our children who still have a chance at true knowledge that is only unlocked when we at least have the seed of faith that is.. perhaps there's more than what we see. This is what religious people shield society from, close-minded thinking. The repulsive and insidious lie that the entirety of all there is to ever know, see, or experience is dictated solely what can be observed from the first opening and final closing of one's eyes in life. This is the reality of an infant and I for one refuse to let an entire generation of young men and women remain stagnant in this backward minded thinking without as little as a shout.
But back to the question. An established term has established definitions and these are generally more or less accurate. At least good starting points.
Mental health is obvious. Having the willpower to avoid performing actions that violate whatever the hell the government says makes you crazy. Or in a more friendly way, the ability to function as an independent and productive adult and provide for oneself regardless of circumstance whilst avoiding extreme actions deemed dramatically counterproductive to a free society.
Emotional health can probably be likened to having a good time and positive mental attitude while doing so. More often that not, at least. Oh and smiles. Or at least recognizing the emotional states of others and genuinely feeling they have value. Not necessarily more so than yours but value just the same.
How to practice emotional hygiene | Guy Winch | TEDxLinnaeusUniversity
https://youtu.be/rni41c9iq54
Definition of Cognitive Hygiene
Cognitive hygiene refers to the ability to effectively manage negative thinking, maintain cognitive abilities to solve problems and make good decisions without thinking errors that might influence mental health.
Managing ‘cognitive hygiene’ to alleviate employee mental health issues and improve business performance
https://lifeworks.com/en/resource/managing-%E2%80%98cognitive-hygiene%E2%80%99-alleviate-employee-mental-health-issues-and-improve-business
Emotional health is a different category, affected by physical and mental pains.
Emotions are not feelings, emotions [I]are felt[/I], arising from both the mental and physical.
For ex. In your post you describe cognitive hygiene, where improper cleanliness would lead to bad mental health - or physical health; bad performance/bad performance.
Cognitive hygiene is a dreadful and abrasive term.
Emotional health is a soft way of talking about mental health, without the ostensible stigma of the latter term. But, naturally, different organizations and practitioners will use the terms slightly differently. Emotional health is a term used frequently in workplaces to talk about the mental health of employees.
This usage is incorrect usage.
How are emotions such as sadness, madness or gladness, mental phenomenon.
Though you may say it's shorthand, the word emotion is used, and given that, it must have some correlation to its meaning.
Emotions are mental and physical phenomena and if their health is the subject matter then we take into account mental and physical health.
Yes, I was horrified at the notion of cognitive hygiene, even when links were given. It seems like cleaning out the negative as if it is 'dirt'. I hope that is not the way forward for management in the mental health professions.
Mental pain is negative, physical pain is negative.
It's good to sew up a bleeding arm to prevent pain. Preaching only a good side to negativity is a good way to lose an arm sitting there bleeding out like a idiot.
There is no easy solutions for forms of suffering, especially emotional pain. It is not like sewing up a bleeding arm. Apart from medications to relieve symptoms like anxiety and depression, there are so many contrasting forms of therapy, especially the psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral approach. From what I have seen some people find different approaches more helpful, and the relationship with the therapist may be a key factor.
I disagree because there is a clear difference between Psychology and Psychiatry and if that statement is true why have two different type of organized practice. Why go to school to get a PhD in Psychology and get a PhD in Medicine of Psychiatry. Unless there is a difference between the two scientific areas.
In my opinion I believe Emotional Health or Emotional WellBeing Encompass a sort of understanding of emotions and how emotional reaction can cause physical and health issues like mention in Guy Winch lecture on TedTV. And how Brooding and Rumination can create a toxic cognitive state of the mind which can cascade into other areas like physical health problems.
And Negative thinking is sort of like heroin it can be very addicting and alluring. Ignoring it can lead to issues in other areas of life.
It may lead to a mental state of Catastrophizing.
That is my definition of Emotional Health and my argument of why we as a society should emphasize the importance of Cognitive Hygiene. Because it can affect our problem solving skills and distort how we rationalize information.
In the other area we have Psychiatry which is more in sync with medical medicine as in studying the neurons, the brain and using medication for treatment.
Let's take the example of an individual with a cognitive disability like mental retardation (Politically correct term: "Intellectual disability")
This individual would probably develop behavior problems due to his brain damage. And a Psychiatrist can only resolve certain aspects of this person's disability. That's where Psychology comes into play in the form of Behavior specialist, he/she would practice certain strategies to help modify the patient's behavior in a more positive way.
You see the distinction of the two (Emotional Health vs. Mental Health) and how they need to collaborate with one another to have the desired results in helping the individual.
That's a funny question - never heard of a mood disorder, hey? Emotions are key indicators of people's mental health. I work in the area of mental health, addiction and suicide prevention.
Likewise, some people seem to be happy in the delusion that the universe is just a real 4d Riemannian manifold, on which quantum fields, potential gauge fields an kinetic matter fields, play themselves out, like Roman chariots of fire in an arena.
Support for people with mental health is much broader that psychology versus psychiatry. And many services for people with mental health issues are not run or delivered by either profession (i.e.,social work, occupational therapy, art therapy, etc). And psycho-social support for people with mental health issues is also critical. If people get non-clinical support to manage negative emotions, this is often a good way of potentially avoiding the need for clinical services later.
Indeed. It has that awful taint of 'purity' as wellness taint to it.
Not really. A key indicator of mental ill health (or a developing issue) are chronic feelings of sadness, emptiness or anger. Some people are able to manage their emotional life so that they don't become depressed or chronically irritable and angry. This is preventative work that can help people regain control over their thoughts and behaviors. Some workplaces encourage the development of emotional health in workers in order to stop unhealthy practices and mental illness from become a chronic issue with their employees. Remember mental illness in the workplace (as far as employers are concerned) has a considerable impact upon staffing and productivity .
I would say, emotional health is a branch of mental health.
ex. mental disorder (broad, any mental issue) and Personality disorder (specific, it deals with emotions)
Of course you are right here. I interpreted mental differently though. Thoughts and emotions are different things, If you include feelings in mental health then yes, your emotional health, depending mutually on your "thoughts health" can indeed be in bad shape. If you consider the mental as comprising both thoughts and feelings, and all the stuff that surrounds them, the you are absolutely right. Thoughts and emotions are mutually dependent, and the health of one can influence the state of the other. Thinking about the possibility of total nuclear annihilation or the destruction of nature makes me feel sad and powerless. Luckily I feel better if I think of nice things. But when I was depressed the feeling of sadness didn't go away, no matter what I tried. The e.otional side of my brain was sick, though the mental part (as understood by me) did it's best, unconsciously, to heal. I'm sure the emotional part was involved too. No brain in its good mind wants to give bad feelings to its owner, and often I was angry to it.
In response to everyone here.
So should Emotional Health be consider more in the lines of preventive maintenance compared to Mental Health when something needs to be fixed?
This is understandably a concern. I wouldn't use the word either.
If we apply the problem philosophically, perhaps we can look at metaphorical and analogical discourse. (I can't recommend a proper essay at the moment -- but Carl G. Vaught wrote Metaphor, Analogy, and the Nature of Truth, if you can make do of his essay, not sure).
That word "hygiene" is already adumbrated by images of uncleanness, grossness, ickness, germs, and viruses, so it was astounding to know that it is being used to describe mental and emotional health by none other than the experts in the field! Geeze!
Personal hygiene truly fits. It's an equal opportunity cautionary expression for everyone, and can be remedied easily through personal care, at home, without much financial difficulty, training, or even additional assistance. But cognitive hygiene is something else.
How Negative thinking can affect intelligence and rational thought in a negative way. Pursuing negative thinking can decline your cognitive abilities and promote bad health.
Is negative thinking bad for your brain?
By Terry Small
https://www.bccpa.ca/news-events/latest-news/2018/is-negative-thinking-bad-for-your-brain/
No.
Stoicism? Buddhism? :chin:
No. From personal experience. I have connections. :cool:
I see. Care to share your personal experience? What does it look like?
You speak truly. Emotional health is one aspect of mental health. The mind is composed of intellectual ("thinking") and affective ("feeling" or "emotional") dimensions. Both thoughts and feelings/emotions are the result of neural activity. Resultantly, both "thinking problems" and "emotional problems" can be characterized as "mental illness". Emotions, however, seem to have a greater influence on rational thought than vice-versa, because emotions have a greater physiological component than thoughts. More specifically, the experience of a given emotion will effect the chemical environment of the brain, by causing the localized release of excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitters in ways very specific to an individual person, thus altering the relative activity of differing areas of the brain, and so effecting thought. In this way, the prolonged experience of given emotions (anxiety, fear, joy, sadness, pride, wrath, etc.) can result in the establishment of new neural pathways in the brain which can permanently (actually, "permanently" is too strong a word here..."durably" is better) alter the ways in which a given brain tends to process information and generate thoughts. I have experienced this myself. Now, after having experienced a number of years of great frustration and eventual depression, which both were exacerbated by the Coronavirus epidemic, I find that my ability to reason and to remember things has diminished, and at the same time, I have become quite irascible and prone to anger. I can but hope to find a way to reverse this trend in my own mind...in my own brain. If I cannot, my hope to do well in the future looks somewhat bleak.
I imagine the difference between emotional health vs. mental health is about the same difference between belief systems and systems of belief or between terminology and nomenclature.
It might partly how the words are used in various writing by different authors or it might be how one conceptuses an abstract image when they read the two different words.
In a nutshell, they can mean different things to those who write and read them, but they can also mean the same thing to a person if they wish for them to mean the same thing.
I still don't see why you seem to support the idea of 'cognitive hygiene'. What about the concept impresses you so greatly? You emphasise the importance of eliminating negative thinking, and I do believe in a positive mindset. Nevertheless, most therapy approaches do not see 'emotional health' as being merely a matter of eliminating the negative, and are a bit deeper. For example, in the cognitive-behavioral model, the emphasis is upon understanding assumptions which impact on individual emotions. This involves challenging faulty judgements and errors in thinking, rather than simply the 'negative'.
This may involve looking at certain negative assumptions, but more with a view to looking at the erroneous rather than simply the negative. For example, if someone was in a relationship this may involve questioning fears that the partner may leave. It would not be necessarily saying that the relationship will not end because it might do. To simply try to eliminate negative possibilities alone doesn't always work because in some ways people can't just try to rule out negative things happening. So, what I am arguing is that interventions may need to go deeper than simply trying to eliminate negativity alone.
A bunch of high IQ individuals who couldn't function without a person next to them.
So don't you think Mental Health is mostly align to lets say biology and emotional illness lets. Lets say "schizophrenia"
Emotional issues is more event based like trauma compared to a soldier with "PTSD"
one has a chemical and neurological disorder that created an emotional symptom.
The other is struggling with an experience/knowledge based emotional reaction. I witness something horrible and the information I am processing is causing a negative emotional reaction.
???
"Affect", "emotion", and "feeling" are all directly synonymous, in the sense of "a person's internal state of being and involuntary physiological response to an object or a situation, based on or tied to physical state and sensory data".
:up: Righteous anger! :chin: If everything has a reason (the principle of sufficient reason), then so-called negative emotions, our dark side in general, have a purpose.
That said, as I recall vaguely, a case can be made that "unwholesome" feelings are now obsolete - our more advanced intellect recognizes this but the...er...reptilian brain seems to be unaware of this fact and persists in imposing itself on us at, well, inappropriate times.
How the vermiform appendix is no longer required and is only a potential source of sickness and death, bad emotions too are simply vestigial remnants of a more savage past.
Quoting TheQuestion
(Loosely and "arbitrarily" defined-described)
"Emotional health" means having mainly positive emotions and control over them.
"Mental health" includes "emotional health" plus: having control over thoughts, being rational and able to solve problems, and acting towards a better survival for yourself and the others.
Quoting TheQuestion
They don't have to be differentiated. They are both necessary for "cognitive hygiene" (however one defines this term). Simply because they help each other and can harm each other.
This is confused. Emotional regulation and affect more generally are key indicators of mental health. Many mental illnesses - depression, schizo-affective disorder, hypomania, dysthymia, bi-polar, personality disorders and episodes of suicidal ideation - are all understood through their emotional impact. People's emotional regulation are a key indicator of their mental health. Emotional states are core predictors of psychological health and resilience. The two go together like peaches and cream.