It’s normal to experience stress, panic attacks, depression, and anxiety from time to time. If these emotions last longer, it could be a sign of an underlying mental health issue. If you feel overcome by emotions that interfere with your daily activities, seek professional mental health services. Here is more information on how to navigate mental health services for adults:
Identifying Mental Health Issues
Before seeking professional help, identify signs that could tell if you are having mental health issues. Often it’s a combination of multiple signs. A mental health disorder starts as minor changes to emotions, behavior, and reasoning. The signs are not a diagnosis of a mental health disorder, but they will assist you in knowing when to seek help.
When feeling anxious, a person may experience heart palpitations, chest tightness, sweating, and dizziness. Depression is characterized by a lack of energy, interest, or motivation to do activities that you normally enjoy. Dramatic mood changes, extreme anger, and distress can be a sign of mental illness.
Changes in your sleep patterns or sleeping a lot could be a mental health disorder. Lack of appetite and sudden weight gain or loss are noticeable signs of a mental health problem. Other symptoms include participating in high-risk behaviors, engaging in substance abuse, feeling worthless, and having suicidal thoughts. Detecting these warning signs and seeking help can make sure you get quick treatment.
Seeking Help From Professionals
After you’ve identified the above mental health disorder signs, the next step is to seek help. Early intervention helps minimize the severity of the symptoms and subsequently improve your quality of life. If a person experiences more than one symptom, the health professional may recommend a comprehensive examination.
There are many options available to support individuals with mental health issues. For most people, a local general practitioner is the first place to get help for primary care. Your primary healthcare provider can diagnose the illness, recommend treatment, or refer you to a specialist.
Therapists and professional counselors offer various therapies for struggling individuals. A provider that offers mental health services will have counseling sessions for depression, grief, and anxiety. Besides therapy, there are effective medications with a high efficacy rate that your doctor can prescribe.
Getting Support From Family and Friends
Mental disorders are health problems where the symptoms can interfere with your quality of life. Symptoms can develop at a slower pace or rapidly depending on the mental health issue. Some will fluctuate and other issues may be chronic. Getting support from those close to you may help you on your journey to recovery.
Although some people may prefer therapy, try finding someone you feel comfortable talking to. Opening up to your family and friends can encourage you to cope with symptoms. They can assist with daily tasks and accompany you to therapy sessions.
Consulting Support Services
Some organizations offer support services for people with mental health challenges. Support may be available online through helplines. Others provide peer support, crisis care, housing, and talking therapies.
Some companies provide staff access to employee assistance programs. These support programs may come in handy if your mental disorder is impacting your productivity at work. With advancements in technology, you can download mental health apps on your phone or seek virtual telehealth services.
Seek Mental Health Services Today
If you’re struggling with mental health issues, a professional will diagnose the problem and help you come up with a suitable treatment plan. While some mental health disorders are treatable through proper management, getting a diagnosis will help you identify any urgent issues. Identifying the signs, talking to your family, and consulting a therapist are steps you can take in your treatment journey.