Telepsychiatry Athens TX

Telepsychiatry Athens TX

Mental illness is also known as mental health disorders. These conditions affect your mood, thinking, and behavior. Mental illness includes depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.

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).

Signs

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

Reduced ability to focus or confused thinking

Extreme guilt or excessive fears and worries

Extreme mood changes of highs and lows

Retire from friends and other 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 Telepsychiatry Athens TX

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

If you have suicidal thoughts

Some mental illnesses can lead to suicidal thoughts or behavior. 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 close friend or loved one.

Reach out to a minister, spiritual leader, or another member of your faith community.

Suicidal thoughts are not something that can be treated on its own. 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. While you may not be in a position to force someone to seek professional help, it is possible to offer support and encouragement. You can also help your loved one find a qualified mental health professional and make an appointment. You might even be able go with your loved one to the appointment.

Take your loved one to the hospital if they are attempting self-harm, or if you suspect that they may be doing so.

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. Certain genes may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, and your life situation may trigger it.

Environmental exposures before birth. Exposure to environmental stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be linked to mental illness.

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 military combat or assault

Consumption of alcohol and 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. Mental illness can begin at any age, from childhood through later adult years, but most cases begin 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. You may have both depression and a substance abuse disorder, for example.

Complications

Disability is most often caused by mental illness. Untreated mental illness may lead to severe emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems. Mental illness can sometimes lead to complications such as:

Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of life

Family conflicts

Relationship problems

Social isolation

Problems with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs

Missed work or school, or other problems related to work or school

Legal and financial problems

Homelessness and poverty

Self-harm and harm to others, including suicide or homicide

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

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:

Be aware of warning signs. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. You will know what to do in case your symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel. To be on the lookout for warning signs, you might consider inviting your family and friends.

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. 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 Telepsychiatry Athens TX if you are having trouble sleeping, or if there are questions about diet and exercise.

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