Online Psychiatrist 76797

Online Psychiatrist 76797

Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions -- disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.

Many people have mental health concerns from time to time. A mental health problem can become a mental illness if you have persistent symptoms that cause stress and interfere with your ability to function.

An illness that causes mental distress can make it difficult to live a normal life. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with a combination of medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy).

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances and other factors. Emotions, thoughts, and behavior can be affected by mental illness.

Examples of signs and symptoms include:

Feeling down or sad

Reduced ability to focus or confused thinking

Extreme guilt or excessive fears and worries

Extreme mood swings of lows and highs

Withdrawal from friends and activities

Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping

Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations

Inability to cope with daily problems or stress

Problems understanding and relating with people and situations

Problems with alcohol or drug use

Major changes in our eating habits

Changes are driven by sex

Excessive anger or hostility, violence

Suicidal thinking

Sometimes, symptoms of a mental disorder manifest as physical problems such as stomach pain, backache, or other unexplained aches, pains, and discomforts.

When to see a Online Psychiatrist 76797

If you have any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, see your primary care provider or mental health professional. Most mental illnesses don't improve on their own, and if untreated, a mental illness may get worse over time and cause serious problems.

Suicidal thoughts?

Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common with some mental illnesses. If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, get help right away:

Call 911 immediately or your nearest emergency number.

Call your mental health specialist.

You can call a suicide hotline. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or use its webchat on suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.

Get help from your primary physician.

Reach out to a friend or family member.

Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.

Suicidal thinking doesn't get better on its own -- so get help.

Supporting a loved one

If your loved one shows signs of mental illness, have an open and honest discussion with him or her about your concerns. You may not be able to force someone to get professional care, but you can offer encouragement and support. You can help your loved one locate a qualified mental healthcare professional and schedule an appointment. You might even be able go with your loved one to the appointment.

If your loved one has done self-harm or is considering doing so, take the person to the hospital or call for emergency help.

Causes

Mental illnesses, in general, are thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors:

Genetic traits. Mental illness are more common in those whose family members have a mental disorder. Your life circumstances may cause you to be more susceptible to developing a mental disorder.

Environmental exposures prior to birth. Sometimes, mental illness can be caused by prolonged exposure to stressors, inflammatory conditions or drugs, as well as to toxins, alcohol, and other drugs.

Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When the neural networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, leading to depression and other emotional disorders.

Risk factors

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, including:

An ancestor with mental illness, such as a parent/sibling, has a history

Stressful life situations such as financial difficulties, the death of a loved one, or divorce can cause stress.

An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes

Brain damage as a result of a serious injury (traumatic brain injury), such as a violent blow to the head

Traumatic experiences such as combat or assault in military service are examples.

Use of alcohol or recreational drugs

An egregious childhood history of neglect or abuse

Few friends, or few healthy relationships

A previous mental illness

Mental illness is very common. About 1 in 5 adults has a mental illness in any given year. Although mental illness can occur at any age, including childhood and later adult years of life, most cases start earlier in life.

Mental illness can have both temporary and long-lasting effects. It is possible to have multiple mental disorders at once. For example, you may have depression and a substance use disorder.

Complications

Mental illness is a leading cause of disability. Untreated mental illness can cause severe emotional, behavioral and physical health problems. Complications sometimes linked to mental illness include:

Reduced happiness and enjoyment of life

Family conflict

Relationship problems

Social isolation

Problems with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs

Absent work or school or other problems related work or school

Problems with legal and financial matters

Homelessness and poverty

Self-harm, suicide or homicide.

Weakened immune system, so your body has a hard time resisting infections

Other medical conditions, such as heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases

Prevention

Mental illness is not preventable. If you suffer from a mental illness, there are steps you can take to reduce stress, improve your resilience and increase self-esteem. Follow these steps:

Pay attention to warning signs. Work with your doctor or psychiatrist to learn what might trigger your symptoms. Make a plan so that you know what to do if symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel. Consider involving family members or friends to watch for warning signs.

Get routine medical care. Don't neglect checkups or skip visits to your primary care provider, especially if you aren't feeling well. You may have a new health problem that needs to be treated, or you may be experiencing side effects of medication.

Seek help immediately. It is more difficult to treat mental health conditions if they get worse. A long-term maintenance treatment may also be helpful in preventing relapses.

Take care of yourself. Healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are all important. Maintain a consistent schedule. Talk to your Online Psychiatrist 76797 if you are having trouble sleeping, or if there are questions about diet and exercise.

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