Mental health and Behavioral health
The terms mental health and behavioral health are often used interchangeably. However, they are not the same. It’s important to understand the differences between mental health and behavioral health in order to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes mental health as relating to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It can be linked to the individual’s biology, psychological condition, and habits. In addition, mental health can affect how a person thinks, feels, or acts. In contrast, behavioral health has more to do with a person’s habits and how those habits impact their overall mental and physical health.
Mental health conditions
It is possible for certain mental health conditions to result from behavioral issues, but that’s not always the case. Some mental health disorders occur as a result of genetics or brain chemistry imbalances. Among the most common mental health conditions are:
- Bipolar disorder
- Depressive disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Schizophrenia
Behavioral health conditions
While mental health disorders can occur sporadically through no fault or action on the part of the individual, many behavioral health conditions result from unhealthy behaviors that negatively affect a person’s physical and mental state. Some of the most common behavioral health conditions include:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Substance use disorder
- Eating disorders (e.g. anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating)
- Gambling disorder
- Sex addiction
The link between mental health and behavioral health
It is not uncommon for behavioral health issues to develop as a result of a person trying to cope with an underlying mental health issue. Similarly, some behaviors can worsen the severity of a mental health condition. For someone with a mental health disorder, drinking or using drugs can intensify or worsen the symptoms of their condition.
