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  • Jennifer | That Psych Nerd

    Understanding Mental Health: Breaking Down Baseline and Stability

    2024-08-28

    Breaking Down Baseline and Stability: Understanding Mental Health

    I was 15 years old when I saw my first psychiatrist. My mood had been very low for weeks, I could not do most things as simple as brushing my hair or doing my homework.

    Before I felt this way, I was a normal, usually grumpy, teenager.

    My doctor explained many things to me that I truly didn't understand at the time. Essentially, she told me that she wanted to help me get back to my baseline of being able to care for myself.

    I didn't have any clue how I was going to do that, but I trusted her.

    While I trusted her, the ride was a battle, but I am happy to say I made it through. Ultimately, if you don't experience mental health issues yourself, you may not know what that's like.

    So, in this article, we will review what baseline can mean, and what mental stability can look like.

    What does baseline mean?

    For comparison purposes, a baseline is essential in a clinic setting to know someone’s daily functioning.

    Baseline can also be described as average — whatever that may look like for someone. This is where someone is closer to who they usually are — or how they would be before displaying depressive or manic symptoms.

    That’s where we all fit, somewhere between the two mood extremes, such as depression and mania.

    What about stability?

    When someone is at their baseline, then they are considered stable. Someone functioning symptom-free or nearly symptom-free — with the help of intervention — can also be considered stable.

    Stable means being at your baseline or where you are ‘normal.’ Although the word normal is highly discouraged, it’s a good indicator to understand how someone may feel.

    Being or feeling normal is entirely reliant on who that person is ultimately.

    Remember, the word "normal" isn’t one-size-fits-all.

    While working for an adult psychiatric unit, I saw people reaching their baseline after weeks of depression, mania, and even psychosis. Quite frankly, someone you meet in a manic or depressive episode will almost always be completely different from when they leave the hospital.

    Why does this matter?

    So, why does all of this matter — why do we need to understand that depression and mania can vary? Well, mental health is just as important as physical well-being.

    There are many stereotypes in society that can hinder someone from reaching out to receive treatment. Understanding how different depression or mania can look is crucial.

    Everyone deserves treatment — fear shouldn’t be a block for them anymore. I was afraid to receive treatment for years — even after learning about mental health through my undergraduate years. I thought I was not normal or would be viewed differently.

    I have seen firsthand just how mental health is misunderstood. That depression, mania, or any health mental health disorder is not considered to be a real ailment.

    But that isn’t the case.

    Taking care of our mental health looks very different for many people. Mental health is essential to maintain as we move through life.

    Suggested Readings

    Breaking Down Psychology Misinformation

    Unmasking Narcissism: The Dirty Truth

    Overcoming Negative Thoughts: The Hidden Costs of Limiting Beliefs

    Stay Connected With This Author: That Psych Nerd | Linktree

    Author's Note: Hello! Thanks for taking the time to read my article! If you liked this story, leave a comment, a like, or a follow! See you next month!


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    Comments / 7
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    Diane
    19d ago
    happened to me age 34 noone understood it out of 6 drs hospitals.i got dx with crap pills worst side effects.got punished in hospitals for overdose of pills drs gave me.raped.abused.SHAME ON THOSE
    Jackie Hubler
    08-30
    I don't know where it was that people left the hospital in a better condition. I have had close to a dozen hospitalizations in 25 years and more treatment than us acceptable to anyone and I never personally observed a single person that was held long enough for improvement or sometimes capable of taking care of themselves much less follow their discharge plan. I usually am not better at all and go back to a life that can't cope with. I don't ever bother with anything to do with treatment as I no longer trust the system. My adult son roams the world psychotic and a threat to himself and others everyday and for 5 years. He doesn't even believe he has any problem and 7 days is a joke and an outrage. It is not worth a red cent and that is supported by the state and Medicaid funded fraud.
    View all comments
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