The term “behavioral health” encompasses everything from substance use, to unhealthy eating habits to anxiety issues, to gambling or video game addictions to depression to any number of other habits, and other external forces.
Addiction is so clearly about seeking an escape from uncomfortable feelings. These destructive behaviors become patterns in our lives and in our brains – they’re the new norms and we just try to survive. And the pattern repeats. That’s why in recovery we learn healthy behaviors and routines to cope with our emotions in natural ways.
Behavioral health is the scientific study of the emotions, behaviors and biology relating to a person’s mental well-being, their ability to function in everyday life and their concept of self. Behavioral health describes the connection between behaviors and the health and well-being of the body, mind and spirit and, as such, covers addictions as well as those who struggle with severe mental health issues.
Counselors, therapists, coaches, psychologists, nurse practitioners or physicians can help manage behavioral health concerns with treatments such as therapy, meditation, medication or new modalities such as neurofeedback, all of which I can go over with any client who is interested as I am knowledgeable in almost every area and can get them connected to the support they need.
Behavioral health is just as important as physical health. It includes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Creating an integrated behavioral health care plan means you have put in place a team of medical professionals that specialize in areas of concern for you. Group and individual counseling tend to be key components of treating behavioral health concerns. If you have patterns that are beginning to negatively affect your health, I implore you to build your behavioral health team, beginning with speaking to a coach. Start that conversation today.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health in 2014, 20.2 million adults in the U.S. had a substance use disorder and 7.9 million had both a substance use disorder and another mental illness. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration states that 1 in 4 individuals with a serious mental illness (major depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, and other mental disorders that cause serious impairment), have a substance use disorder.
In terms of entrepreneurs with mental disorders, recent research has found that entrepreneurs are in fact more likely to suffer from mental health disorders. In research published in 2018, Michael Freeman, executive coach to entrepreneurs and clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine, reported elevated levels of mental health diagnosis, especially ADHD, depression and substance use among small business owners. He found that entrepreneurs are 53% more likely to have any lifetime mental health condition and 300% more likely to deal with addiction in their lifetime. He also found that even those entrepreneurs who didn’t have a mental health diagnosis, they are 44% more likely to have a family member with mental illness.
Mental health can affect your business in ways that you hadn’t considered. These are some of the ways that I explore the effects of mental health in a business and coordinate services as an entrepreneur’s mental health improves:
- Neglect tasks because you don’t feel well or have sufficient energy to complete the project
- Work less hours, low stamina, or missing work
- Harder time focusing and shorter attention span
- Difficulty handling time pressures and multiple tasks
- Avoid larger projects because you know you may be overwhelmed
- Avoid or skip mental health days
- Harder time relaxing or sleeping
- Compulsion to keep moving to avoid feelings
- Feelings of anger or obsessive thoughts
- Snap on employees or customers
- Difficulty receiving negative feedback
- Dramatic shifts in mood or energy level
Work-related stress could also manifest as heart disease, back pain, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances or various minor illnesses; as well as psychological effects such as anxiety and depression, loss of concentration and poor decision making.
Tips for handling you behavioral addiction as an entrepreneur:
- Remove the shame of discussing your behavioral health
- Consult a doctor (preferably a psychiatrist) if you have questions or concerns about your mental health
- Take all prescribed medication
- Consider psychotherapy & exercise
- Look at ways a diagnosis may affect your business
- Ask for reviews from clients and feedback from employees
- Break larger projects into manageable tasks
- Take time off to rest and get the help you need
- Take short, frequent breaks to stretch or walk around whenever you feel your attention slipping
- Schedule time away from stimuli to complete tasks that require more focus
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