Online Psychiatrist Stephenville TX

Online Psychiatrist Stephenville TX

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. But a mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect 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

Depending on the condition, circumstance, and other factors, signs and symptoms of mental illness may vary. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts and behaviors.

Some examples of symptoms and signs include:

Feeling down or sad

Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate

Extreme guilt or excessive fears and worries

Extreme mood changes of highs and lows

Withdrawal from friends and activities

Low energy, significant tiredness or trouble sleeping

Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations

Inability to deal with everyday problems or stress

Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people

Problems with alcohol or drug use

Major changes in our eating habits

Sex drive changes

Excessive anger, hostility, or 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 Stephenville TX

You should see your primary care provider if you are experiencing any symptoms or signs of a mental disorder. Mental illnesses are not easy to treat. If left untreated, they can get worse and lead to serious complications.

If you have suicidal thoughts

Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common with some mental illnesses. Get help immediately if you suspect that you might harm yourself or try suicide.

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.

Seek help from your primary care provider.

Reach out to a close friend or loved one.

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

Suicidal thoughts are not something that can be treated on its own. Get help.

Supporting a loved one

Talk to your loved one if they show signs of mental illness. 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 may even be able to go along 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:

Inherited traits. Mental illness is more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness. 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, which are naturally occurring brain chemicals, transmit signals to other parts and bodies of the brain. If the neural networks that contain these chemicals become impaired, it can lead to depression and other emotional disorders.

Risk factors

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

A history of mental illness in a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling

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 military combat or assault

Consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs

A childhood history of abuse or neglect

Few friends, or few healthy relationships

A previous mental illness

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

The effects of mental illness can be temporary or long lasting. You also can have more than one mental health disorder at the same time. For example, you may have depression and a substance use disorder.

Complications

Disability is most often caused by mental illness. 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 tobacco, alcohol and other drugs

Absent work or school or other problems related work or school

Legal and financial problems

Poverty and homelessness

Self-harm, suicide or homicide.

Your immune system is weak, and your body will have a difficult time resisting infection

Heart disease and other medical conditions

Prevention

There's no sure way to prevent mental illness. 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.

Seek routine medical care, even if you're not feeling well. There may be a new condition that you need to address or side effects from medication.

Get help when you need it. Mental health conditions can be harder to treat if you wait until symptoms get worse. Long-term maintenance treatment also may help prevent a relapse of symptoms.

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

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