Summary
Some people experience psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms can be treated using talk therapy; medications; and brain stimulation. Healthy habits and other activities can contribute to maintaining and developing mental wellbeing. Health care professionals outside of the field of mental health can help you work towards mental health recovery. Many federal and state agencies exist to provide information and to fund research important for the treatment of mental health symptoms. Remember that mental wellbeing is a process, not an outcome.
Managing Psychiatric Symptoms: Treatment Options
Persons experiencing psychiatric symptoms may require therapeutic interventions in order to be able to function in society. Several modalities exist to help people manage their psychiatric symptoms. Let’s briefly review some treatment options for managing psychiatric symptoms.
Psychotherapeutic Interventions
Psychotherapy, commonly known as talk therapy or therapy, encompasses a range of interventions. Some interventions are based on a particular theoretical framework. Some interventions may be based on more than one theoretical framework.
Clinicians who practice psychotherapy may employ an eclectic approach, deriving techniques from various psychotherapeutic modalities.
Examples of psychotherapeutic styles include Solution Focused Therapy; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; Dialectical Behaviour Therapy; Interpersonal Psychotherapy; Psychodynamic Psychotherapy; and Schema Therapy. There are many other psychotherapeutic styles. Please consult the following episode of Cycle of Health:
Types of Psychotherapy: March 8, 2023. WCNY
https://vod.wcny.org/cycle-of-health/
Psychopharmacology
Psychopharmacology is the practice of prescribing medications to treat psychiatric symptoms.
Prescribers of psychiatric medications include physicians (MDs and ODs); Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners; and Physician Associates. The differences amongst these types of prescribers is related to their educational training. Just as one can become a psychotherapist via several educational training programmes, similarly prescribers of psychiatric medications may develop the skills and experience to prescribe psychiatric medications via several educational training programmes.
In some states in the USA, psychologists can become prescribers of psychiatric medications.
Brain Stimulation Techniques
Three brain stimulation techniques are currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of some psychiatric symptoms. The approved techniques include ECT (electrovulsive therapy); repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS); and vagal nerve stimulation (VNS).
For additional information about brain stimulation techniques, approved and experimental therapies for psychiatric symptoms, please consult the following article by NIMH (National Institutes of Mental Health):
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies
Mental Health Treatment: Ancillary Services
Recall the previous posts in this blog. Exercise, balanced and health nutritional habits, sleep hygiene, social connectedness, mindfulness practices, helping someone else (charity), creative pastimes, and many other activities do play a role in our mental health and our mental wellbeing.
Consider consulting a nutritionist/dietitian or a physical therapist or physical trainer for support in developing healthy habits.
Consider joining a charitable organization or simply volunteering to help in your community.
There are many people in our community who can assist us in developing and maintaining mental wellbeing.
Let me repeat what I have said in previous posts: mental wellbeing is a process not an outcome. Give yourself a chance to feel better.
Federal Agencies Related to Mental Health Needs
I want to take a moment to highlight the importance of some federal agencies which offer a wealth of health-related information, particularly with respect to mental health. Without these agencies, we would not have a federal approach to health conditions and health emergencies. Please take a moment to consult their websites.
National Institutes of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association: https://www.samhsa.gov/
Health Resources & Services Administration: https://www.hrsa.gov/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.hhs.gov/
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/index.html
Check out your state level departments providing services and information for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms.
And, be proactive. Write to your legislative members, in the Senate and in Congress, to remind them of the importance of the communications from these agencies and the research funding provided by these agencies.
Take-Aways for Managing Psychiatric Symptoms: Treatment Options
There is not just one route to mental health recovery. Accessing multiple treatment interventions may be required for psychiatric symptoms to be satisfactorily treated. Consider the options.
Unfortunately, access to services may be restricted based on geographical location; financial resources; and insurance coverage. When in doubt, contact one of the federal agencies listed above; community based mental health resources; and state level agencies to help you navigate the mental health services system.
Be well. Take care. Maintain hope for your mental health recovery.
Disclaimer: This post is not meant to substitute for a consultation with your mental health professional team.
If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, please Call 9-1-1; Call 9-8-8; or Go to the nearest emergency room.
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