The Importance of Seeking Mental Health Treatment
Most people don’t think twice about calling their doctor or heading to an urgent care clinic for a sore throat or an injury. But it is much less common to recognize the importance of seeking mental health treatment when you need it.
Do you feel like you constantly “have the blues”? Perhaps you feel anxious, and you don’t know why. Some research indicates that up to 75% of the people who experience mental health concerns do not seek treatment. But it’s crucial that you value your mental health the same way you do your physical well-being.
Doug Fir Billing helps the incredible providers who are doing the work of supporting our communities and their mental health needs. If you are a practitioner, our team is here to help you with your medical billing needs. Reach out today to learn more about the benefits of hiring a professional medical billing service for your reimbursement needs.
Common Stumbling Blocks to Seeking Mental Healthcare
The importance of seeking mental health treatment deserves more discussion.
Mental health treatment is an important aspect of caring for your overall wellness. Unfortunately, people frequently choose not to seek care for treatable mental health conditions.
Here are a few of the reasons people choose to ignore mental health conditions:
Stigma - Many people choose not to seek treatment because they worry about being treated poorly or labeled by others. The stigma of being a mental health patient stops tens of thousands of people from getting the help they deserve.
Denial - “Everybody feels down sometimes.” Downplaying or denying ongoing mental health concerns is common. But mental illness doesn’t go away just because you ignore it.
Hopelessness - There are many valid forms of mental health treatment available. It may take some time or a few tries before you find the right option. Sadly, many people assume they can’t get better if the first try doesn’t work.
Side effects - Drastic medication side effects grab the headlines. But the fact is that every medication on the market comes with a list of potential side effects, no matter what it’s treating. Fortunately, most side effects are mild, temporary, or non-existent for the majority of patients.
Cost - Many people avoid or delay their medical care because of cost. Even with insurance, money remains a significant hindrance to seeking healthcare of any kind.
Working to overcome barriers to therapy is crucial.
These reasons are legitimate obstacles for many people. But the importance of seeking mental health treatment is tremendous, so we need to have conversations about it. By doing that, we can reduce the stigma and spark policy changes to support this crucial piece of national and global wellness.
The Importance Of Seeking Mental Health Treatment
Treatment and support for mental health concerns aren’t about simply “feeling happier.” Although that is certainly a great goal, there is so much more at stake.
Many patients who receive appropriate treatment note additional positive results such as:
Ability to Focus
Increased Energy
Improved Job Performance
Better Sleep
Healthier Relationships
But the importance of seeking mental health treatment extends beyond these benefits. Mental illness can also lead to the deterioration of a person’s physical health.
Anxiety can cause wear-and-tear on the heart and stomach. Depression often leads to poor self-care, such as not bathing or brushing teeth frequently enough for good health. Mental health issues frequently lead to tight muscles, headaches, and stomachaches. There is no way to separate your body’s health from your mental and emotional well-being.
The importance of seeking mental health treatment extends to your physical wellness, too.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) notes that mental illness doesn’t only impact the individual. It has a ripple effect that reaches our families, schools, communities, nation, and world. Everything from missed work to divorce to incarceration can have mental illness at its root.
How Do I Know If I Need Treatment?
A fever is easy to measure. But there’s no thermometer in your medicine cabinet to gauge your mental wellness.
Here are a few signs that it’s time to seek mental health treatment.
1. You are processing a significant life change.
Seeking mental health care isn’t only for severe or extreme situations. Sometimes you may benefit from short-term care to help after a big event.
For example, many people do well with support after having a baby, losing a loved one, or for situational anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect example of a time when short-term mental health treatment has been incredibly valuable.
Trauma can be sustained or short-lived and still leave an impact.
2. You have a prolonged case of the blues.
Everybody feels down at times. But if you experience this frequently or for prolonged periods, you may be dealing with depression.
3. Your mood changes rapidly even though your situation doesn’t.
We all have mood swings. But these fluctuations raise a red flag if they are significant, frequent, and don’t correlate to your situation. Erratic mood swings can be a sign of bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
4. Past trauma is interfering with your life today.
Sadly, we know that people experience abuse, injury, loss, and violence every day. When you’ve been through a terrible event, your mind and body can have a hard time processing it.
If you continue to have nightmares, flashbacks, or overwhelming emotions, you may need help healing. And keep in mind that trauma looks different for everyone. You don’t have to have experienced something devastating to suffer from trauma.
5. You feel fearful.
Therapy can help you deal with excessive fear.
Fear is useful at the appropriate times. But anxiety can cross over from a place of protecting you to one where it keeps you from beneficial things. If you find yourself living with dread that impacts your ability to get through the day, it’s probably time for help.
6. You can’t control your temper.
Some people experiencing depression seem like they have more anger than sadness. If you have persistent irritability and find yourself frequently lashing out over little things, you may benefit from treatment.
7. You’re frequently using drugs or alcohol.
Some people with mental health conditions use alcohol and recreational drugs to self-medicate. And many people who live with addictions have an underlying mental illness. It’s important to seek mental health treatment if you’re in this situation.
8. You’ve had thoughts about killing yourself.
If you find yourself thinking about suicide - even briefly - get help immediately. Talk to your doctor, call 911, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
How Do I Find Treatment?
Seeking help for your mental health is essential.
If you’ve been thinking about seeking mental health treatment, start with your primary care physician. Your doctor is familiar with standard treatments for depression and other mental health conditions, and they can prescribe medication if necessary. Your physician can also refer you to a specialist and help you find a therapist.
Friends and family who have received treatment may also be willing to offer a recommendation. By law, counselors and therapists must keep your information private, so you can feel safe sharing anything you need to with them.
You also can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), where you can get live assistance at 1-800-662-HELP (4357.) This free service can help you find treatment in your area.
Again, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available at any hour of the day or night. You can receive crisis counseling immediately and get mental health referrals in your area. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or chat online anytime.
Take care of yourself and your mental wellbeing.
Doug Fir Billing: Supporting You So You Can Support Others
If you think you could benefit from professional mental health care, it’s time to get the ball rolling. Have a conversation with your doctor about what you’re feeling. If they recommend treatment, be open to their suggestions.
And therapists shouldn’t neglect their mental health, either. You have a tremendous load to carry and deserve all the support available.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed in running the billing side of your practice, we can help. We specialize in working with therapists and love to ease your burden. Reach out to Doug Fir Billing to get started.