Behavioral & Mental Health Month

Articles

May 1

May is Mental Health Month. During this month, we aim to raise awareness about mental health, how common mental health disorders are, and how occupational therapy plays a role in treatment. Mental health issues can be categorized in many different ways depending on the individual. It is important that individuals who experience mental health issues seek professional help to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them. While treatment for mental health disorders differs greatly from one person to the next, there are ways healthcare professionals and therapists can help make drastic improvements in an individual’s life.

Types of Mental Health Concerns

A range of conditions and symptoms can indicate a mental health disorder — from mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder to addiction and impulse control issues.

Mood Disorders

Depression is likely the most commonly known mood disorder. While feelings of sadness and overwhelmingly “down” feelings are typically attributed to depression, other feelings such as emptiness or apathy are commonly experienced. Bipolar disorder is another type of mood disorder which sometimes is referred to as manic depression. It is characterized by prolonged periods of both hyper positivity and mania and extremely low mood swings. There are actually many different types of bipolar disorders. Bipolar I typically exhibits mania while also experiencing psychosis which can be followed by depressive episodes, but not in every case. Bipolar II disorder typically involves a combination of both major depressive episodes and hypomania. Cyclothymic disorder also is characterized by mood swings, however is typically less severe than bipolar I or II. Bipolar disorder can also occur as a result of a substance abuse disorder or addiction and is typically characterized by mild mood swings and symptoms.

Anxiety Disorders

When faced with certain situations, we all can become nervous. However, individuals with anxiety disorders generally respond to situations in a way that is not appropriate. At times, individuals with anxiety disorders are unable to control their response and it can create problems in how they conduct their everyday lives. Fear and panic are typical responses exhibited in anxiety disorders as well as physical indicators such as a racing heartbeat or sudden sweating. There are five types of anxiety disorders that are typically diagnosed. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by a consistent or constant worry or stress without any particularly sensible reasoning behind that feeling. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves patterns of behavior that are compulsive in nature, as the name suggests. There is a relation between unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behavior to prevent the unwanted thoughts (compulsions). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) typically occurs after an individual has experienced threatening situations or severe trauma. Social anxiety disorder is typically exhibited by an individual’s inability to engage in or being extremely fearful of certain social situations. For instance, some people will have extreme fear regarding public speaking or attending large gatherings and others many have trouble eating food in front of others. Panic disorder is another type of anxiety disorder which typically includes physical symptoms such as pain in the chest, dizziness, or trouble breathing. Episodes of a panic disorder often come unexpectedly and with great intensity.

Eating Disorders

A common type of mental health condition, eating disorders affect approximately 20 million women and 10 million men in the US during their course of their life. Anorexia nervosa is widely known to develop in young women or men. It is characterized by a false self-image related to weight. Typically, individuals with anorexia nervosa are underweight due to hyper-focusing on how much and what they eat on a daily basis and often restrict food entirely. Binge eating disorder is extremely common in the US and is exhibited by quickly eating large amounts of food in a secretive manner. Impulse control is associated with binge eating. A related eating disorder, bulimia nervosa will often include binge eating large amounts of food followed by purging. Avoidant or restrictive food intake disorder occurs in individuals who have a severe reaction to food textures, smells, colors, or tastes. It can cause an individual to have weight or nutrient deficiencies throughout their life.

Psychotic Disorders

Hallucinations are a symptom commonly associated with psychotic disorders. There are many different types of psychotic disorders, but perhaps the most well-known is schizophrenia. Delusions and hallucinations are typical for individuals with schizophrenia and can last for months. This syndrome is chronic and often severe, causing major negative impact on an individual’s ability to communicate, live independently, or even understanding their surroundings.

Personality Disorders

Often, individuals with a personality disorder are unaware of any symptoms they exhibit. In their perspective, the way they think is normal, so they are usually unable to recognize any symptoms on their own. Many personality disorders occur in conjunction with others. Some common personality disorders include paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (which is different than the anxiety disorder), dependent personality disorder, and avoidant personality disorder.

Addiction Disorders

Individuals with impulse control disorders commonly have trouble with substance abuse. Impulse control and addictive behavior can present itself in other ways such as through kleptomania (thievery), gambling, or pyromania (fire-starting). The actions of individuals with impulse control or addiction disorders can be damaging to themselves and others.

The Role of Occupational Therapy

It is commonly known that occupational therapists work with children on developmental and behavioral skills. What some individuals may not know is that occupational therapy originates in mental health. Because occupational therapy involves education in areas such as cognitive abilities, sensory, activities of daily learning (ADLs), and social skills, occupational therapists can provide mental health support in numerous ways. The nature of occupational therapy is a holistic approach to wellness, which means therapists aim to treat a variety of conditions that affect a person’s ability to live independently. An occupational therapist can help individuals with mental health conditions to be more participatory in their daily activities which is crucial for maintaining stability in mental health. They may provide coping mechanisms or strategies to effectively address episodes related to a mood disorder or help individuals establish a routine to manage symptoms of anxiety disorders.

You can learn more from our amazing occupational therapists at Tilton’s Therapy or register as a new patient today. We serve regions throughout Northern Nevada, Southern Nevada, Oregon, and Hawaii and offer occupational therapy services for mental health.