MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Compassionate, supportive mental health services
SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS
Each person is unique; therefore each person will have his or her own experience with the symptoms of mental illness. Signs and symptoms of mental health issues can progress slowly over time or come on abruptly and affect your life quickly. Depending on your life circumstances and your particular diagnosis, symptoms of mental illness can include:
- Feelings of sadness
- Lack of focus or reduced concentration
- Changes in sleep habits
- Changes in eating habits
- Excessive fears or worries
- Withdrawal from friends or social situations
- Excessive anger, hostility or outbursts of violence
- Suicidal thinking
If you are experiencing any suicidal thoughts or have any plans to harm yourself, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 immediately. Help is available and you can speak with a counselor today.
MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
We are not only dedicated to your physical health, but your emotional health as well. Some examples of mental health disorders include:
Mental health is a vital part of your overall health and well-being at every stage of life. It has a direct impact on your thoughts, feelings and behaviors, which can subsequently affect performance in school, work and even caring for your family. Depending on your unique mental health issue, treatment can include medication, behavioral therapy and counseling.
Our goal at VitalCare Family Practice is to be proactive in treating mental health issues by connecting you with a counselor to get you back on track to feeling better.
RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING MENTAL ILLNESS
Although the exact cause of mental illness is unknown, doctors do believe that an imbalance of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters play a role in mental health. As with any illnesses or disease, there are certain factors that increase the risk of developing a mental illness such as:
- Family history of mental illness
- Stressful life circumstances – i.e. financial problems, divorce, death of a loved one
- Traumatic experience – serving in combat, assault
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Chronic medical conditions such as heart failure can cause anxiety
- Previous history of mental illness
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS
If you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, our providers at VitalCare Family Practice will perform a physical exam, including any necessary blood tests, to make sure your symptoms are not caused by a medical condition. Sometimes it can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis as symptoms can be the same for different mental illnesses. A mental health professional can help ascertain an accurate diagnosis and then the appropriate treatment can be prescribed.
Usually, a combination therapy of medication and counseling will garner the best outcome. A mental health professional can offer tools to help you manage stress and cope with life circumstances. If you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, VitalCare Family Practice is here for you. Call our office at (804) 256-8282 to schedule an appointment today.
COLLABORATIVE CARE WITH PSYCHIATRISTS
Sometimes a combination of counseling and medication is needed. Many behavioral disorders — such as depression, anxiety, ADHD or bipolar disorder — can be treated effectively with specific drugs. For some people, psychotropic medication may be a necessary component of their behavioral health treatment. Sometimes a combination of medication and psychotherapy or counseling is needed.
In the cases where medication may be needed, VitalCare’s Behavioral Health Managers will work in collaboration with a psychiatrist to prescribe medication for these patients. A psychiatrist is trained to differentiate behavioral health problems from other underlying medical conditions that could present with psychiatric symptoms. A psychiatrist’s expertise as a medical doctor trained in psychotherapy allows them to safely prescribe medication.
TELE-HEALTH APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Behavioral health appointments are now offered through telehealth appointments. The accessibility of the internet means more people now have access to receiving telehealth services. Telehealth can also make behavioral health services more private and convenient for patients who can access care from their homes.
Unfortunately, there are several obstacles that prevent people with mental illnesses from seeking treatment. Some patients avoid seeking treatment because it is inconvenient. Others do not get treatment for anxiety because they are too anxious to leave the house, go into public or be around others. Telehealth has the opportunity to completely transform how we perceive behavioral health and how individuals receive treatment.
Some patients avoid getting treatment due to the fear of being recognized when going to appointments or waiting in the waiting room or have issues with transportation, scheduling, and other concerns. This can be embarrassing and stressful and can cause anxiety as well, only exacerbating the existing mental illness. The comfort and privacy that telehealth provides patients make them much more willing to seek out treatment.
Fortunately, with telehealth, this can all be avoided. Since telehealth is virtual and patients can “meet” with their behavioral health professional from wherever they are, this also reduces the need to take time off of work or set up childcare services, which prevents many people from seeking treatment in the first place. Patients who use telehealth can be treated from the comfort of their own homes and can enjoy flexible hours that are even outside of typical working hours or on the weekends.
