Understanding Mental Health: Breaking Down Baseline and Stability

Breaking Down Baseline and Stability: Understanding Mental Health

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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

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