How To Explain Mental Health Diagnosis To Your Grandparents
Mental Health Diagnosis
It's important to get an assessment if your mental health symptoms persist or are extreme. This can aid you and your health care provider understand what's causing your symptoms, so you can treat them.
It is important to determine insurance coverage and eligibility for support services.
Diagnosis
Mental health is a combination of emotions, thoughts and behaviors. It affects how a person reacts to stress, as well as how they function at work, in relationships and with their family. It can also impact learning and resilience. Early intervention is key to treating a mental illness. Waiting to seek treatment can cause symptoms to get worse. The earlier a disorder can be diagnosed and treated, the more straightforward it is to treat.
A physical exam can be done to rule out other causes, like an underlying medical problem or a medication adverse effect. There isn't a lab test to determine if someone is suffering from mental illness, like there is for a thyroid issue or diabetes. Instead, the doctor will listen to the patient, observe them and ask questions. They will refer to training guides, like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) to help them identify the diagnosis. It is possible for someone's diagnoses to change over time as the mental health professional becomes more familiar with symptoms and their impact on their lives.
After a diagnosis has been established, the next step to do is determine the best treatment plan. This includes talking therapy (psychotherapy) and perhaps medication. Additionally, it is essential to address issues with your lifestyle that can make a difference in the treatment of the mental health issue for example, getting enough sleep, eating well and staying physically active.
If you know someone who is struggling, help them to see an expert in mental health. A person who is supportive, such as a friend or family member can accompany them to their appointment. Everyone will benefit from an honest and open discussion. Contact 911 immediately if the person is showing suicidal behaviour. You can also support them by recommending self-help or wellness books, or by joining a support group. Encouragement is important and should be accompanied by a reminder to the person asking for assistance is not a weakness.
Signs and symptoms
Although everyone experiences changes in their emotions and behavior from time to time, if the symptoms begin to affect your daily routine or worsen over time, it could be a sign of mental illness. It's crucial to begin by taking the first step of recognizing these signs and then reaching out to an expert in mental health or a medical specialist for assistance.
A medical doctor or a psychologist will inquire about your symptoms, their duration and if there are any events in your life that may explain the symptoms. They'll also refer to a book called Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help them determine the proper diagnosis. The book outlines the symptoms and characteristics of each disorder. It also provides specific criteria, like what is required to be considered a symptom of the disorder.
Once a mental illness is diagnosed, it can be treated with therapy or medication (also known as therapy for talk). Some people might also benefit from other self-care strategies like exercising eating a healthy diet, and getting enough rest. Additionally, some individuals require a change in their lifestyle to make sure that they can manage their symptoms, like not taking on too many obligations or reducing their work hours when they're experiencing extreme symptoms.
The primary goal of treatment is to ease symptoms and their impact on an individual's quality of life. The longer a patient waits to seek treatment, the more difficult it is to overcome symptoms. Mental health issues can be addressed by speaking to the doctor or calling an emergency hotline. People in emergency situations or who could hurt themselves or others are advised to call 911. The health care provider will likely conduct an examination to rule out any physical ailments that may be causing the symptoms before sending them to a mental health specialist or psychiatrist.
Treatment
It's important to consult an expert in the event that you or someone you care about is showing symptoms of mental illness such as being depressed, anxious or experiencing mood changes. In the beginning, you should talk to your doctor of your family, who may recommend you to a mental healthcare specialist such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker counselor.
Your mental health professional might begin with a physical exam to rule out medical causes of symptoms, like thyroid problems. They will then use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, to make a diagnose.
The process can take weeks or even months. It's possible that your diagnosis could change if your symptoms become worse or improve. Your health care provider will create a treatment plan for you that might include counseling, medication and lifestyle adjustments. Your treatment team will closely follow your progress. full mental health assessment may be required to attend therapy sessions in a group or on your own like family therapy, cognitive therapy or reprocessing trauma through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. You can also try natural therapies like acupuncture and meditation.
It's possible to feel a sense of relief after getting a diagnosis, because it gives an end to the issues you've been experiencing. However, it's also possible you'll feel uncomfortable about the diagnosis or worry that people will treat you differently.
A diagnosis of mental health can be a powerful instrument to help you recover from your illness and feel better. You may also qualify for disability benefits, get job protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or keep your health insurance coverage.
Mental illness can cause a range of problems but the majority are treatable. Some of these treatments include medication like antidepressants or sedatives. Other talking therapies include psychotherapy (also known as "talking cure") that includes relaxation training, reworking of negative thoughts and behavior, and other strategies. Some people need a hospital or residential treatment program to manage their symptoms if they are extremely severe.
Recovery
The next step is to start treatment following the diagnosis. This may include psychotherapy or group therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy as well as cognitive behavior therapy family therapy or natural healing methods like meditation, breathing and art therapy. These methods are typically used alongside medication to treat symptomatology. Your mental health professionals will collaborate with you to create a treatment plan that meets your needs.
Recovery is not continuous, and you could encounter some setbacks. But over time you'll likely see improvements in your symptoms, which means that they become easier to manage and a decrease in their severity. It is important to recognize and celebrate small victories. These are all steps in the right direction to help you get back on track for living a life of recovery.
As you go through the process of recovery, it's beneficial to have an existing support system. This could be family members or friends, a mental health professional, or someone from your support network that is well-versed in your situation. It is also important to know the resources available to you, so ask your therapist or doctor about the services they recommend.
You can also find out the coverage of your insurance and the mental health professionals who are in network. You may also inquire about Employee Assistance Programs at your workplace, or contact your local mental health organization to learn more about programs and activities.
Mental illnesses aren't curable, but they can be managed. You can live a lifestyle that is not defined by your illness if you get a good diagnosis. Continue to learn about your illness and talk with your doctor about your feelings. Begin each day by day. In the end, you'll realize that, while your diagnosis isn't a permanent one but it does make things a little more complex, but it's worth the journey.