Mental health is just as important as physical health. Struggling with a psychological disorder can make it difficult to get out of bed, exercise, take care of yourself and focus on your physical health. Moreover, mental health disorders can affect your moods in debilitating ways. You may experience extreme panic or anxiety in certain situations. You may have overwhelming fear or intrusive thoughts. You could struggle to maintain a positive mindset. Mental health treatment programs combine a variety of approaches to help you optimize your psychological health. In many cases, treating your mental health can also improve your physical health. That’s especially true when you’re seeking treatment for addiction as a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Causes of Mental Illness
Many factors contribute to mental health disorders. It’s not always easy to pinpoint a cause. Genetics, childhood attachment, stress, substances and your external environment can contribute to mental illness.
In some people, mental health disorders are associated with imbalances in brain chemistry. Your central nervous system has a network of receptors that are influenced by neurotransmitters. This is how the different parts of your body communicate.
When you’re stressed, your body sends out a hormone that allows you to stay alert and manage your survival. Eventually, other chemicals balance out those stress hormones, bringing you back to equilibrium.
Some people with mental health disorders may have impaired central nervous system functioning. Medications, illnesses, drugs, biology and other factors are often to blame.
Mental health disorders also tend to run in families. While not all mental illnesses are hereditary, some people are born with more susceptibility to them than others. That means that they might be more likely to develop a mental health disorder when they’re triggered by external influences.
Long-term substance abuse is correlated with an increased risk of anxiety, paranoia and depression. It’s not always easy to determine whether the substance abuse caused the mental health disorder or the psychological issue led someone to self-medicate with substances. But addiction often occurs alongside other mental health disorders.
Some of the other factors that may contribute to mental illness include:
• Childhood trauma, abuse or neglect
• Loss of someone important in your life
• Poor interpersonal skills
• Family dysfunction
• Low self-esteem
• Major life changes, such as divorce or changing jobs
Types of Mental Health Disorders
There are hundreds of types of mental health disorders. Many of them can be categorized under the following groups:
• Mood disorders – Depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, cyclothymic disorder
• Anxiety disorders – Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias
• Personality disorders – Paranoid, schizoid, antisocial, borderline, avoidant and narcissistic personality disorders
• Psychotic disorders – Schizophrenia, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, substance-induced psychotic disorder
• Eating disorders – Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, pica
• Trauma-induced disorders – Post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, adjustment disorders, disinhibited social engagement disorder
• Substance abuse disorders – Using illicit drugs or misusing pharmaceutical medications
The symptoms for distinct mental health disorders are different. Some symptoms overlap between disorders, making diagnosis and treatment complicated. Some physical illnesses and side effects from medications can mimic symptoms of mental health disorders.
It’s important to work with a physician and psychological professional to get a clear diagnosis and pinpoint indicators of mental health disorders. Once you have a diagnosis, you can get the proper treatment and support that you need.
Mental Health Treatment Options
There are many treatment options for mental illness. Because there are so many causes of mental illness, there are various approaches to treatment.
Some influence your brain chemistry. Others give you tools for managing your behavior. Many mental health treatment options address multiple aspects of your psychological condition to give you the best chances of living a meaningful, fulfilling life.
The primary types of treatment for mental health disorders include psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes and holistic therapies.
Psychotherapy is a broad term that covers a variety of treatment approaches to mental health. It often involves talking with a counselor or therapist, uncovering causes and triggers of psychological issues and finding methods for coping with the complications of mental illness.
Many people are able to relieve symptoms of their mental illness through psychotherapy as a primary treatment. Different therapists use various tools to tailor their treatment plans to the individual. Patients may undergo psychotherapy treatment in an individual, family or group setting.
Solution-focused therapy allows clients to concentrate on their strengths so that they can harness them to reach their goals. This type of treatment requires a great deal of support from the therapist. But all types of psychotherapy require cooperation from the patient.
The therapist will help the client become more aware of their inherent skills and proficiencies so that they can become more confident in managing their mental health issues or addictions. Solution-focused therapy helps clients become motivated to identify what they want out of life and create ongoing meaning throughout their journey.
Medications are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy treatment to help people with certain mental health disorders. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications are often prescribed as treatment for people with various mental health disorders.
What works for one person may not work for you, though. Everyone’s body and brain chemistry is different. You should work closely with a psychiatrist to ensure that you’re taking a dose and type of medication that works well for your illness and produces few side effects.
Although you probably know that eating well and exercising are essential for your physical health, you may not realize that these lifestyle habits can be an effective mental health treatment. Exercise is an valuable first-line treatment for depression and anxiety and can enhance the usefulness of certain medications.
Fueling your body properly is an essential treatment too. Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep and avoiding drugs and alcohol can relieve symptoms of mental disorders.
You might not be aware that many holistic and alternative options exist for treating mental health disorders. Holistic treatments take all the aspects of who you are into account so that you can focus on your physical, spiritual, emotional and mental health.
Treatment that tackles just one aspect of a mental health disorder can leave you struggling in other areas of your life. Holistic treatment is well-rounded and provides opportunities to improve your relationship with yourself and others. This type of treatment also helps you learn how to manage stress, cope with triggers and relieve some insecurities.
Some examples of the holistic mental health treatment programs that we offer at New Method Wellness include:
• Wilderness therapy
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Art therapy
• Sand tray therapy
• Nutritional counseling
• Surf therapy
• Equine therapy
• Wolf-assisted therapy
We also offer evidence-based approaches to mental health treatment, such as psychotherapy. Our goal is to help our clients achieve personal growth and develop the skills that are necessary for them to live rewarding lives.
To learn more about our programs, call +1 (866) 951-1824!
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From all of us at New Method Wellness co-occurring treatment center, we wish you peace and serenity in knowing that you or your loved one will get the necessary help.
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