Mental illness is not always easy to detect. Someone does not need to have all these symptoms, perhaps just one or two.
Treating a mental illness is not something to attempt on your own. Like many health conditions, help for mental illness takes professional diagnosis and treatment.
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Treatment Works, Treatment Is Available
The good news: Research shows treatment for mental illness works. With appropriate treatment, people can manage their illness, overcome challenges, and lead productive lives.
Treatment for mental illness is effective. Mental health services also are covered by most health plans—by law. And like physical health conditions, it’s clear the earlier you get treatment for mental illness, the better—and the better you or your loved one will feel and do.
Unsure of how or where to start? Start here.
Why Seeking Treatment Is Important
First and foremost, getting your mental illness treated and managed will help to improve your quality of life. Living with mental illness will always be a battle, but getting the proper treatment will make it much more manageable, allowing you to enjoy everything life has to offer without your condition getting in the way.
In addition to improved mental health, seeking treatment can also lead to other benefits, as well. Good mental health can also positively physical health by improving sleeping habits, the immune system and lower pain levels. Having your mental health treated can also improve your productivity, allowing you to focus on daily tasks and give you the motivation to get things done in a timely manner.
Improving your mental health can even extend your life expectancy. A 2012 study in the British Medical Journal found that even mild mental health problems can lead to a lower life expectancy.
Seeking treatment for mental health conditions is absolutely vital, regardless of what form of treatment you prefer. From medication to therapy to one of our clinical trials, there is a solution out there for every individual and we encourage you to find it so you can live a happier life with good mental health.
Balancing school, family, financial, and social responsibilities leave many teens at risk of experiencing complications related to their self-esteem and mental health. If you believe mental health concerns might be preventing your teen from living their best life, having a solid teen mental health treatment experience can open doors your teen never thought possible.
Why Is It So Hard to Seek Treatment?
According to government statistics, nearly half of all youth ages 8 to 15 with a mental illness receive no treatment. Studies have been conducted to determine the reasons for this disparity, and there is no single answer. Some reasons have to do with the environment, economics, and other overarching factors. In some cases, the mental disorder itself may create conditions that prevent the individual from seeking help.
Tips for Asking for Help
Remember, there is nothing shameful about seeking help. Initially, you may feel vulnerable and unsure, but asking for help is essential. Good mental health treatment will set you on a path of recovery that enables you to enjoy your life truly. We recommend that people ask for help before frustration and anger take over. If you wait until the problems are severe, you may be too overwhelmed to ask for help. For adolescents, the following were identified as particular issues that made it hard to reach out:
Stigma and Embarrassment
Negative and judgmental attitudes toward mental illness create shame and fear of being identified with the mentally ill.
Difficulty Recognizing Symptoms
Some young people aren’t sure how to identify whether their problems are typical or indicate an underlying mental illness.
Preference for Self-Reliance
During their developmental years, teens commonly begin asserting their independence. This tendency may cause a preference for relying on themselves.
Lack of Trust
From the general awkwardness of sharing personal details to fears of exposure, distrust often becomes a barrier.
Feelings of Hopelessness
Those especially burdened by their symptoms may perceive hopelessness that contributes to a diminished desire for help.
Benefits of Getting Treatment for Mental Health
Thankfully, identifying the benefits of treatment is more straightforward than figuring out why it’s hard to ask for help. If you understand how much you have to gain, you will be more inclined to seek help.
Depending on your specific situation, there will be particular advantages to getting treatment. But considering the overall benefits of adolescent mental health treatment is a great place to start:
Improved Quality of Life
Imagine being free of the symptoms you’re currently facing. Without depression, anxiety, stress, and other psychological problems weighing you down, you can live your life to the fullest.
Improved Relationships
When the symptoms of the illness aren’t sapping your strength, you’re better able to develop and maintain healthy relationships, and you’ll have more time for the people in your life.
Reduced Chance for Complications
Unfortunately, many people with mental illness also develop substance addictions, but getting mental health treatment diminishes that possibility. Even if drugs or alcohol are already a problem, dual diagnosis treatment can help with both conditions.
Better Performance at School or Work
Improved concentration, enhanced creativity, reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and better overall performance are all very real benefits of good mental health.
Reduced Risk of Medical Issues
Untreated mental illness contributes to physical problems like heart disease, ulcers, and colitis and reduces your immune system’s strength. Getting treatment decreases your potential need for certain medical services.
Encouragement and Support
Individual therapy enables you to understand yourself and your personal goals better. Group therapy provides exposure to others with similar struggles, which can offer fresh perspectives on difficult problems. All of this gives you the needed strength for continued recovery.
Hold Yourself Accountable without Drowning in Guilt
Leave behind feelings of weakness, shame, and embarrassment. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It’s the best and wisest strategy for success in overcoming your struggles. We also recommend that people talk to someone they trust. If you’re unsure where to start or feel intimidated about dealing with professionals, start with a friend or family member. They can point you in the right direction and work with you to find the best source of treatment.
Be Clear and Direct when Asking for Help
If you’re not specific, others may completely miss your plea for help. Vague comments are easily missed or misunderstood, so be as precise as possible. Be as positive as you can. Understandably, negativity creeps in when you’re wrestling with real problems. But try to abstain from whining or complaining. Also, be kind and gentle; avoid making demands or threats. Bad attitudes can turn people away just when you need them most.
If handling a mental health concern on your own isn’t working out the way you want, the obvious next step is to ask someone else for assistance. When it comes to mental health, asking for help can be incredibly difficult. However, the benefits of getting treatment for mental health concerns far outweigh the challenge of overcoming the initial fear of seeking help. Contact Destinations for Teens by calling 877.466.0620 to help your teen get started on the journey to mental wellness.
References
https://www.adolescenthealth.org/Resources/Clinical-Care-Resources/Mental-Health/Mental-Health-Resources-For-Adolesc.aspx
When people hear the term healthy, they usually focus on physical connotations, such as low cholesterol levels, good cardiovascular strength and the absence of disease. Unfortunately, countless people suffer from mental health problems that are just as debilitating as some of the worst physical ailments. With professional help from mental health services, most of these people enjoy improved life quality. For many, however, help never comes, because they either fail to seek it or lack appropriate access.
How Common is Mental Illness?
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately one in five Americans experiences some type of mental illness each year. What’s more, about 10 percent experience serious mental illness that significantly interferes with one or more major life activities.
From schizophrenia to bipolar disorder, there are a number of serious mental health disorders that can make day-to-day living almost impossible. At the same time, countless Americans also live with addiction, depression and anxiety disorder. In fact, the NAMI estimates that, each year, over 18 percent of the U.S. population experiences obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder or specific phobias. NAMI statistics also reveal that over 20 million Americans have a substance use disorder, with over half of these people also experiencing co-occurring mental illness.
Consequences of Lack of Treatment
Mental health issues can make life unbearable for the people who have them. At the same time, these problems can have a wider effect on society as a whole, especially when they go untreated or treatment is delayed. The following statistics from NAMI shed light on this fact:
- Serious mental illness costs the U.S about $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.
- Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, are the third most common reason for hospitalization for patients between the ages of 18 and 44.
- American adults living with mental illness die an average of 25 years sooner than others, largely due to treatable conditions.
- 37 percent of students suffering from a mental health condition drop out of high school.
- More than 90% of children who die by suicide suffer from a mental health condition.
Providing Help
When allowed to intervene in a timely manner, mental health services can help lower health costs and free up limited resources. Studies indicate that people use medical services 90 percent less frequently after receiving appropriate mental health care. Mental health services also reduce the risk of chronic diseases related to stress, anxiety and substance abuse.
Most importantly, mental health services save lives, while improving the outlook for people who may feel hopeless and lost. If you believe you may be suffering from a mental illness or if you know someone who is, take positive steps toward recovery by contacting a mental health professional today.
