Telepsychiatry Merit TX

Telepsychiatry Merit 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. 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. Most cases can be treated with medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy).

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.

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 swings of lows and highs

Retire from friends and other activities

Low energy, significant tiredness or trouble sleeping

Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations

Inability to deal with everyday problems or stress

Problems understanding and relating with people and situations

Problems with alcohol or drug use

Major changes in our eating habits

Sex drive changes

Excessive anger, hostility, or violence

Suicidal thoughts

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

When should you see a Telepsychiatry Merit TX?

If you have any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, see your primary care provider or mental health professional. 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 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.

Helping 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 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

A variety of environmental and genetic factors are believed to cause mental illnesses.

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

Some factors can increase your chances of developing a mental disorder, such as:

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

Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, a loved one's death or a divorce

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 conflicts

Relationship difficulties

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 and harm to others, including 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

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:

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. 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.

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 Merit TX if you have trouble sleeping or if you have questions about diet and physical activity.

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