What is mental health?

Mental health is a branch of medicine that cares for your psychological and emotional well-being. When you have good mental health, you can better manage day-to-day tasks and cope with the challenges that life presents.

A variety of factors affect your mental health, including your genetic makeup, your lifestyle habits, and your coping skills. Most mental health problems present lifelong symptoms, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, it’s possible to attain a balanced, happy, and healthy life.

Why is mental health important?

Mental health is important because it directly affects your physical health. If you experience anxiety or depression, you’re also more likely to have other health problems, including gastrointestinal issues, sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, or heart disease.

By improving your mental health and general outlook, it’s possible to restore balance to your body. When your body is in balance, you have more energy, less pain, and greater vitality.

What are some common issues that mental health treats?

At We Care Clinic, the team treats several mental health disorders, including:

Depression

Clinical depression is a mental health disorder characterized by a depressed mood and loss of interest in activities. Almost everyone feels down from time-to-time, but depression lasts for months, and in some cases, years. 

If you experience depression, you may have trouble sleeping or maintaining a healthy appetite. Depression can also make it difficult to go to work, spend time with friends and family, or stay focused. Without proper treatment, depression can also lead to suicidal thoughts.

Anxiety

Everyone feels nervous on occasion, but if you have a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), you’re overwhelmed with feelings of worry or fear. Like depression, GAD can affect almost every part of your life, making it difficult to maintain relationships, pay attention, or perform routine tasks.

How are mental health disorders diagnosed?

Diagnosing mental health disorders is a multi-step process. During your first appointment, your We Care Clinic provider conducts a physical and neurological exam, reviews your medical history, and asks you about the symptoms you’re experiencing. Your provider also orders laboratory tests to rule out any potential underlying health problems.

Next, you fill out a mental health questionnaire. Depending on your results, your We Care Clinic provider might refer you to a mental health specialist, like a psychiatrist or psychologist, for further evaluations. The entire process may take several appointments.

How are mental health disorders treated?

At We Care Clinic, the team takes a holistic, integrative approach to treatment for mental health disorders. This usually involves a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, prescription medications, and counseling or talk therapy. 

After making a complete diagnosis, your We Care Clinic provider develops a custom care plan based on your individual needs, health history, and goals for treatment.

To schedule your mental health appointment at We Care Clinic, call the office or book online today.