Mental Health

Mental health conditions are common and can affect anyone, no matter their age. It’s believed that as many as 54 million Americans suffer from a mental health disorder every year. Unfortunately, many people are suffering from a mental health condition without treatment. If you or someone you know is currently experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, please let us help.

What are Mental Health Conditions?

A mental health condition is a disorder that affects the thoughts and possibly the behaviors of an individual, which can make it difficult to cope with day-to-day life. There are currently over 200 different types of mental health conditions. Some produce more mild symptoms, while other can be severe and debilitating. Some of these conditions include:

• Depression
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Attacks/Panic Disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Dementia

You may start to notice personality or mood changes in someone you love. They may also change their habits or seclude themselves from social interactions.

Mental health conditions can be caused by severe stressors, including death, divorce, job loss, etc. It may also be caused by a genetic component, biochemical imbalance, or a combination of factors.

The Warning Signs

It can be challenging to determine whether someone you love is dealing with mental illness, particularly in young children and teens. Here are some of the most common symptoms.

Adults and Teens

• Persistent sadness or irritability
• Extreme anxiety or fear
• Having extreme emotional highs and lows
• Severe anger
• Delusional thoughts
• Confused thinking
• Hearing or seeing things that aren’t there
• Suicidal thoughts
• Substance abuse
• Inability to cope with daily life

Older Children and Pre-teens

• Substance abuse
• Vandalism, theft or defying authority
• Intense or unpredictable mood swings
• Poor appetite
• Suicidal thoughts
• Outbursts of anger
• A change in sleeping or eating patterns
• Inability to manage responsibilities at school or home

Young Children

• Poor school performance
• Extreme fear or anxiety
• Persistent nightmares
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Frequently being disobedient or angry, or throwing temper tantrums
• Hyperactivity

How Can We Help?

Not only is your primary care provider likely to be the first medical professional who identifies that an individual is experiencing the symptoms of a mental illness, they can help you build a treatment plan, and/or provide specific referrals to get you the care you need. Fortunately, there are highly effective treatment strategies for most all mental health conditions which your healthcare provider can discuss with you.

Never hesitate to bring up any symptoms you or a loved one are experiencing with your primary care physician - even if those symptoms are mental, not physical!