Mental health disorders are common and very treatable. According to Mental Health America, about 1 in 5 American adults and up to 20% of children will have a diagnosable mental health disorder in a year. Most often, the mental illness worsens if left untreated, and can lead to co-occurring conditions like addiction and physical discomfort.
There are signs that can tell you if someone needs professional help, including substance abuse, changes in behavior and mood, poor performance at school or work, etc. With that, where do you go for help when you or a loved one needs a diagnosis?
You Called A Mental Health Professional… Now What?
If you have taken the first step of contacting a medical professional to get help, congratulations! Acknowledging the need for help and having the strength to ask for it are crucial for a good recovery. You can start by asking your primary doctor for a referral, or directly contact specialized organizations like denova Healthcare.
With your healthcare professional on the phone, discuss the following before scheduling an appointment:
- Their approach to working with patients.
- Their philosophy.
- Whether or not they have the speciality you need.
If you feel comfortable talking to the counselor or doctor, the next step is to make an appointment and start your mental health treatment.
How to Prepare for Your First Visit?
On your first visit, your medical professional will take the time to learn more about you and what you would like to get out of seeking a diagnosis. To make this easier, write down a list touching on the following points to make the most of your time with the doctor:
- Any symptoms you or people close to you have noticed, and for how long;
- Key personal information, including traumatic events in your past and any current, major stressors;
- Your medical information, including other physical or mental health conditions;
- Any medications, vitamins, herbal products, or other supplements you take, and their dosages;
- Questions to ask your doctor or mental health professional.
I Have a Mental Health diagnosis. Now What?
When you are dealing with mental health issues or substance abuse, the recovery process can be longer than you would think, in order to help you adapt to your new life and be successful in the aftermath of your treatment.
We highly recommend being in touch with a mental health provider whenever you feel that you are regressing, and ask for help whenever there are signs of your illness. Here are some of the things you should do after getting diagnosed.
Look for a mental health treatment team & support group. Sometimes, it can be difficult to understand who should be involved in your mental health treatment. The actual answer is, involve who you are most comfortable involving, from friends and family to healthcare professionals. Having a support group and individuals in your life who can hold you accountable can help you stay on track with your treatment plan.
Take a Look at How We Can Help
Learn more about your mental illness: being educated about the problem you are dealing with will not only show you how to monitor and manage it, but it will help others support you in the most efficient way and act preventively in the future.
denova Healthcare offers highly specialized mental health services, from psychological or psychiatric evaluations and assessments to extensive treatment and support during and after recovery. We are fully prepared to work with patients of all ages and we welcome you to ask about our services and tell us what you need by booking an appointment.
