How Are Mental Health Disorders Treated?
Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder get a lot of coverage in movies and popular Netflix dramas. They are often, in fact, what drives the drama. The way treatment is portrayed is often extreme: involuntary admission to a psychiatric hospital and/or living a life heavily sedated by strong drugs.
The reality is that for most people with a mental health disorder, treatment can happen at home, without significant side effects. You certainly don’t have to feel alone or isolated from your life.
For the 57.8 million people who had mental illness in 2021 in the U.S. (as noted by the National Institutes of Health), treatment is not only available but highly effective. As with any other disease, physical or mental, the right treatment can help you to see improvement, and it may even save your life.
What Type of Treatment Is Available for Mental Health Disorders?
Individualized treatment plans are designed to address the severity, symptoms, and environmental factors of a person’s mental health disorder. When you visit a treatment center or a therapist or psychiatrist, you’ll receive a full diagnostic screening to determine what you are facing and to get a diagnosis. Then, your team will work to create a treatment plan based on what you’re experiencing.
Here are some common types of mental health disorders and the treatments associated with them:
- Clinical depression: Medication tends to be the first step, but talk therapy is also a highly effective component of treating depression.
- Bipolar disorder: While bipolar disorder often means a lifetime of treatment, the use of medications and psychotherapy often leads to a significant reduction in symptoms and a near-normal lifestyle.
- Anxiety disorder: Behavioral counseling is generally the first step, which often involves uncovering the underlying condition or trauma. Trauma-related therapy may be necessary. Medications like antidepressants can be helpful in controlling most symptoms.
- Schizophrenia: Modern treatments involve a combination of medications that can control symptoms. In addition, many people receive specialized psychotherapy services and holistic care.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: Though talk therapy is a big part of this treatment plan, it does not mean reliving what’s occurred. Medications may help to manage symptoms while you work with a therapist to address the trauma.
Many times, it takes some time to get medication and treatment right. What works for some may not work for others. There are numerous treatment options available. If you have tried to get care in the past and struggled with limited results, know that new treatment options are available.
Can Alternative Therapies Help with Mental Health Disorders?
Alternative therapy can also help with symptom control for many people. Holistic treatment is designed to address your mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. Generally, you can choose which type of care interests you. Some examples include:
- Meditation: A meditation practice helps you learn to center the mind, calm a racing heart, and soothe physical symptoms in times of distress.
- Acupuncture: For many people, acupuncture is highly effective because it stimulates the body’s natural healing ability, allowing it to reduce any physical and mental health symptoms.
- Yoga: The movements of yoga reduce stress, and stress is a major factor in worsening mental health symptoms. Yoga is a low-impact, non-aggressive way to support the body’s ability to heal.
And there’s much more. Exercise and fitness therapy can help you to control stress. You may wish to engage in an art program to help with self-expression and exploring your feelings. Equine therapy can be very helpful to those who enjoy animals. In addition to this, you may benefit from modifications to your diet, supplements to support brain function, and massage therapy.
Should You Get Help for Mental Health Disorders?
Don’t believe what you see on TV. Instead, work closely with a team of professionals who can help guide and support you throughout the recovery process. When a mental health disorder accompanies a substance use disorder, both conditions are best addressed simultaneously. At Victory Addiction Recovery Center, we offer comprehensive treatment options designed to address both substance use and mental health disorders. Contact our team in Lafayette, LA, now for help.