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Is There a Difference Between Emotional Health and Mental Health?

Experience clinician-run addiction treatment at Red Oak Recovery® in the pristine Blue Ridge Mountains

Is There a Difference Between Emotional Health and Mental Health?

a therapist talks with a client about the differences in emotional health vs. mental health

People often think that emotional and mental health treatments are the same. However, these types of programs are very different. In fact, each treats different underlying problems that can lead to addiction. Knowing the difference between emotional health vs. mental health can help you when choosing a rehab center.

At Red Oak Recovery®, we are committed to providing holistic treatment to the men we treat. We offer support for mental, emotional, and physical health as a part of each of our addiction treatment programs. To learn about young men’s mental health treatment in North Carolina, please contact Red Oak Recovery® today at 828.382.9699 or use our convenient online form.

What Is the Difference Between Mental and Emotional Health?

Mental health deals with behaviors that relate to the mind or brain. Related problems that develop are typically the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. These issues may include:

There are a few ways that a chemical imbalance can happen in the brain. One way is a natural imbalance of chemicals, resulting in a mental health condition. This condition typically may occur if a mental health condition runs within the family. Another way that a chemical imbalance can occur is when the person is abusing mind-altering drugs.

Matters of the Heart

Conversely, emotional health deals with matters of the heart. The issues that develop tend to occur more often when people have to deal with traumatic or negative life events. These issues may include:

  • Low self-esteem
  • Relationship problems
  • Difficulty managing emotions
  • Grief and loss

In some cases, emotional health problems can also lead to substance abuse. For example, someone with low self-esteem may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with negative feelings. This is why it’s important for addiction treatment programs to address the root feelings attached to substance use.

Substance abuse, on the other hand, can lead to mental health issues. Chronic drug and alcohol use can alter brain chemistry, resulting in anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. This is why it’s crucial for treatment programs to provide comprehensive care that addresses substance abuse, emotional issues, and mental health.

The Emotional and Mental Health Connection

While it’s true that emotional health and mental health are two different things, they’re still intertwined. Without mental health treatment, people’s emotions can run wild. Focusing purely on emotional health causes mental disorientation that makes it hard to function normally. Both emotional and mental health treatments have roles in helping people during rehab.

Regulating emotions is one of the key components of mental health treatment. It involves teaching people how to deal with emotions in a healthy way instead of turning to drugs or alcohol. On the other hand, emotional health treatment helps individuals address underlying issues that may contribute to their substance abuse.

How to Tell If Someone Is Struggling with Mental Health vs. Emotional Health

People often have different symptoms when they struggle with emotional or mental health issues. While it’s possible for people to suffer from both at the same time, one is typically the underlying issue. However, how can they tell the difference between emotional health vs. mental health issues?

Regarding behavior, people who suffer mentally may withdraw from friends and family members. This makes it harder to understand their problems. People with emotional issues may struggle with healthy boundaries and might be codependent on their loved ones.

If you suspect that someone you love is suffering mentally or emotionally, it’s vital to encourage them to seek treatment. Doing so can improve their overall health and lifestyle.

Managing Both Mental and Emotional Health for Overall Well-Being

It’s important to manage both emotional and mental functions during rehab effectively. Doing so optimizes overall health and treats many problems, such as:

  • Depression
  • Anger
  • Fear
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Worry

If someone you love is suffering from a mental health condition or an emotional challenge, there is hope. Please seek treatment today at Red Oak Recovery®. We are a haven for young men 18-30 with mental health, substance use, and disordered eating challenges.

Supporting Your Emotional and Mental Health

At Red Oak Recovery®, we understand that emotional and mental health play a role in addiction. However, we also know that emotional and mental health is essential for leading a happy, healthy life. As such, we offer treatments to support both during rehab. Our emotional and mental health treatments include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Experiential therapies
  • Adventure and wilderness therapy
  • Family therapy

We work to help our clients improve their mental and emotional health during our addiction and mental health treatment programs. Our clients come to understand the underlying causes of their conditions, allowing them to develop the skills they need to cope with them in a healthy way. To learn more about what emotional health and mental health are, we welcome you to reach out to Red Oak Recovery® today.

Red Oak Can Help You Heal

The team members at our mental health center in NC understand the difference between emotional health vs. mental health, and we know how to help both. The only way to truly help someone get over addiction and other mental health problems is to manage both.

We focus on providing treatment for young adult men between the ages of 18 and 30. We also provide gender-specific treatment, which makes our campus a great choice for the men we treat. Our treatment center has unique treatment programs that deal with their individual issues, including:

  • Dual diagnosis treatment
  • Depression treatment
  • PTSD treatment
  • Eating disorder treatment
  • Anxiety treatment
  • Substance disorder treatment

Don’t let the war between emotional health vs. mental health make you believe that one is more important than the other.

Call Red Oak Recovery® in NC and Enroll Today

Find out how treating mental and emotional health can provide the support you need to overcome addiction. At Red Oak Recovery®, we offer comprehensive mental health treatment for young men.

When you’re seeking the best emotional and mental health treatment in North Carolina, you can rely on our team at Red Oak Recovery®. Get started today by calling 828.382.9699 or contacting us online. Together, we can help you achieve lasting recovery and a healthier life.