Mental Health TreatmentStratford, CT
Mental health treatment helps a multitude of patients live active, day-to-day lives. Where there was once a stigma, there is now a growing awareness of the importance of mental health. If you find yourself experiencing regular challenges that prevent you from living life to the fullest, mental health treatment may be right for you.
Mental health treatment is available at MD Care Now in Stratford and the surrounding area. There is no reason for you to struggle with this condition alone. Call us today at 1-203-683-0625 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services. We also accept walk-ins.
Understanding Mental Health Treatment
According to WebMD, millions of Americans deal with mental illness daily. A mental illness is any condition that affects the way the patient thinks, feels, acts, or relates to others or their surroundings. Symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Common mental illnesses include, but are not limited to, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and personality disorders.
The first step toward receiving mental health treatment is acknowledging that there is a problem. The second step is to seek out help from a professional. Such professionals may include psychiatrists, therapists, psychologists, and more. Patients should always try to treat any mental health issues as soon as possible, so they can begin building a healthy treatment plan before the symptoms worsen. When it comes to mental health, patients should not avoid seeking treatment.
What Therapy Can Do for You
As stated by the American Psychological Association, psychotherapy aims to help patients become happier, healthier, and more productive. Psychotherapy can be carried out with a type of specialist known as a therapist or psychologist. It is a collaborative relationship between the specialist and the patient that allows the patient to speak openly with an objective and nonjudgmental listener.
Contrary to popular belief, anyone can benefit from therapy — even those without a mental illness. A therapist can help patients work through various emotions and situations, whether or not they are life-changing. By offering an outsider’s perspective, a therapist can help patients better understand how they and their actions may affect or appear to other people. Consequently, patients can make more mindful decisions about their future and their relationships.
Understanding Mood Disorders
Our in-house therapist at MD Care Now specializes in mood disorders and pain management. As defined by the Mayo Clinic, mood disorders are disorders in which a patient’s general emotional state is distorted or inconsistent with their life circumstances. This behavior becomes so problematic that it negatively impacts the patient’s ability to function. Moods may range from depression (extreme sadness) to mania (extreme happiness).
Common mood disorders include, but are not limited to, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they believe their emotions negatively interfere with their lives, contribute to substance abuse, or cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Most mood disorders can be managed with a combination of medications and psychotherapy.
Understanding Pain Management
While chronic pain may be physical, it can easily affect one’s psychological state. For most people, being in constant pain will inevitably lead to feelings of anger, despair, hopelessness, and sadness. This may also negatively impact a patient’s work, relationships, and sleep or even change their personality altogether.
Worse, these negative feelings and increased stress levels can exacerbate the existing pain. Psychotherapy is a safe, drug-free, and effective means of reducing any stress that may aggravate pain. A therapist can also help patients understand how to cope with any indirect consequences of pain and acquire adaptive skills as necessary.
What Psychiatry Can Do for You
The American Psychiatric Association defines psychiatry as the specialty focusing on diagnosing, treating, and preventing behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders. In turn, psychiatrists are medical doctors (either M.D.’s or D.O.’s) who specialize in mental health, including substance abuse disorders. Such doctors can assess the mental and physical aspects of a patient’s psychological problems.
On top of diagnosing mental health conditions, psychiatrists can use various forms of psychotherapy, psychosocial interventions, psychiatric medications, and other procedures to treat a patient. Psychiatric drugs are typically used in the same way medications are used to treat physical ailments, and they are not prescribed without a thorough evaluation. These medications can help correct imbalances in brain chemistry and help many patients live a functional life.
Call Us Today
Dealing with mental illness can feel isolating and intimidating. We at MD Care Now can help. Call us today at 1-203-683-0625 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services. We also accept walk-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes mental illness?
There is usually not one definitive answer to this question. Instead, mental illness typically occurs due to a combination of factors. These may include prenatal exposure to environmental stressors, psychological or emotional stressors, and inherited traits or genes.
How common is mental illness?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illnesses are so common that nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with one. In 2019, that number translated to 51.5 million. It is also essential to remember that mental illnesses may range from mild to severe.
Can you prevent mental illness?
There is no way to prevent mental illness entirely. However, early intervention can help one best manage the symptoms or recover from the disorder. It also helps to know the warning signs of mental illness: reduced ability to concentrate, excessive fears or worries, are only a few of the possible signs. To learn more, reach out to us and schedule an appointment.
What are the most common mental illnesses?
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the States. They affect 18.1% of the population each year, translating to 40 million adults aged 18 or older.
Can mental illness be cured?
When most physical illnesses are cured, they are gone forever. Some conditions are chronic, meaning they will remain for the rest of the patient’s life. Mental illnesses are also chronic conditions. However, though mental illnesses cannot be cured, they can be treated. Proper treatment varies from person to person, but it usually involves some combination of medication, psychotherapy, and other lifestyle changes.
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