Seeking help for mental health
Mental health problems are common, real and can be treated. Some researches show that approximately 1 in every 5 American adults (almost 44 million people) and 13-20% of United States children will experience a mental health issue in a year.
In this article we will discuss who can seek help for mental health issues and benefits for this help.
Sings of poor psychological health
Following signs show that you may want to talk to a mental health counselor.
You are finding it hard to concentrate
Poor performance at work is usually common among people who are suffering from poor mental health. This includes bad productivity levels and lack of concentration.
You may not feel satisfied from your job that once was your happiness. You may also receive feedback from your boss or managers that your concentration and work quality are low.
Your family and friends are concerned about you
If your family and friends have voiced concerns about your psychological health, try to listen to them. They may have seen or noticed something in your behavior that you are not yet able to identify.
You face sleeping difficulties
Anxiety and depression both can cause insomnia. Regularly struggling with sleep can interfere with your ability to perform or function.
If you are not getting proper high-quality sleep, you should seek help. But you should remember that lots of factors can affect your sleep, so it’s better to speak to a mental or medical health professional. Rather than why you are not sleeping well, poor quality sleep should never be ignored.
Nothing excites you
Losing interest in such activities that were once the source of your happiness, may be a sign that you are going through psychological illness. You should go talk to a professional.
You are feeling alone and isolated
Psychological illness can isolate us. They can make us feel distressed, alone, or uncomfortable around other people. A lack of bonding or understanding from your family about what you are feeling right now may complicate the problem.
You remain physically ill
Stress and emotional distress can affect your body. It can cause a number of ailments, such as frequent colds, chronic stomach issues, headaches, and body pain. If you are not feeling well physically and your health care provider can’t find an appropriate cause, ask them to recommend you to a mental health professional to seek guidance.
Use of substances to cope
If you are using drugs such as alcohol, or taking food in a bulk amount or too little, this is a sign that you may have psychological issues.
Using these things to treat poor mental health may cause you to feel better in the present but it can be a symptom of a larger cause. You should seek professional help in these cases.
Following organizations help you to cope with drug abuse:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
You have suffered a traumatic event
Traumatic events like breakups, job losses, deaths, divorces, all require professional counseling to address.
These traumas and grief associated with them do not always resolve on their own. They can affect your daily life routine if they carry it out.
If you notice that you are pulling away from your dear ones and are not engaging in your life, then you should reach out for help.
Where to seek professional help
Take Action
If you notice that you, or your close one, might have a mental health issue, then you have already taken the first step, which is to realize that something is wrong.
For example, a person might seem anxious, stressed, abuse drugs, see or hear things that aren’t there, or have an over-thinking problem.
Second step is to seek help from a mental health expert or psychiatrist (such as a clinical social worker or psychologist).
Doing these steps is not easy. But once you have done these steps, your mental health may start to get better.
It is better to do it sooner, because like other medical conditions mental illnesses are easier to treat when they are in early stages.
Where to Go for Mental Health Help
Call at 911, in case of emergency such as a person try to suicide or in crisis.
Visit your regular doctor, if it is not an emergency. The doctors will check to ensure that medicines or other health issues are not the cause of your mental health disorder.
If you don’t have any physical health issues, they will suggest you go to a mental health care center so that a trained person will guide you about your mental health issue.
Who Treats Mental Illness?
Numerous health care professionals perform this task, including:
Primary care doctor
They are often called general practitioners. Primary care doctors are either MDs or DOs. They have general knowledge to treat a large number of diseases.
Physician assistant (PA)
Physician assistants are not doctors, but in the same way they are so trained that they can identify symptoms of mental health issues. Under the supervision of a doctor they can treat a mental health disorder.
Nurse practitioner
The registered nurses practitioner (RNs) have training. They have a background in treating psychiatric problems.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs). They have specialization in mental health problems so that they can diagnose or treat mental illness. Psychiatrists prescribe drugs to treat patients. On the other hand they are also trained in psychotherapy, which is a form of counselling or talk therapy.
Psychologist
Psychologists are not medical doctors, but these experts have advanced degrees such as PhD in psychology. They got training in psychotherapy, counseling, and psychological testing. These experts cannot prescribe drugs to heal mental health issues except in a few states.
Social worker
These specialists mostly engaged with clients who are struggling to overcome drug addiction such as alcohol abuse or mental health problems, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PDSD) and eating disorders, among others.
Psychiatric nurse specialist
Psychiatric nurses are registered nurses (RNs). They specialize in treating psychiatric illnesses.
Sometimes seeking help is difficult, especially when someone is feeling ill. It’s necessary to remember that you deserve someone’s support and you are not alone.
Why is seeking treatment for mental health important?
With adequate treatment, patients can overcome challenges, manage their illness, and spend a productive lives. Treatment for psychological illness is effective. According to law, mental health services are covered by many health plans.
Benefits of seeking mental health
Getting psychological help has following immediate and long-term benefits, like:
You will no longer struggle alone
Dealing with a psychological issue can be an exceeding isolating experience. And struggling alone is not the solution to getting through these difficult times.
Getting help makes sure that you can build a supportive community that feels what you are experiencing right now. This community offers appropriate and helpful advice and guidance.
You can make better relationships
Psychological counseling will support you to reconnect with your dear ones. You can build healthier and better relationships through honest and clear communication.
It reduces risk for other medical issues
Poor psychological health may also cause other medical issues. Digestive problems, obesity, poor sleep or sleep disorders, and other medical issues are all linked. Getting immediate help will minimize your risk for developing other medical conditions.
It teaches you to make coping strategies
Seeking professional help gives you coping strategies and tools you need. You will be able to cope challenging situations with a higher degree of knowledge and awareness.
Your performance at work may improve
Psychological illness can severely affect your work performance.
Mental issues have the potential to make us demotivated and disappointed. Getting help allows you to learn how to cope with challenges that can impact on your well-being and overall mental fitness. Even when you are under stress, you will try to perform your best.
It improves quality of life
Seeking help will assist you to meet new friends and strengthen your relationships. You will perform your daily life activities in a better way and discover what does and what does not work for you.
All of these steps may positively benefit your life in the long term while creating a happier and healthier you.
Summary
Seeking treatment for mental health conditions is absolutely necessary, regardless of what type of treatment someone may prefer. From medication to therapy or one of clinical trials, there is a solution for every patient and we encourage you to find it. So that, you can have a happier life with positive mental health.