Mental Health
Mental health disorders are common and can affect anyone, no matter their age. It’s believed that as many as 54 million Americans suffer from a mental disorder every year. It can be difficult for families to accept that a loved one has a mental illness. If you or someone you know is currently experiencing symptoms of a mental disorder, know that there are many resources available to help.
What is Mental Illness?
No doubt you’ve heard a lot of about mental illness, but how much do you really know about it? A mental illness is a disorder that affects the thoughts and behaviors of an individual, and can make it difficult to cope with day-to-day life. There are currently over 200 different types of mental illness. Some produce more mild symptoms, while other can be more severe and debilitating.
Common forms of mental illness include:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Dementia
You may start to notice personality or mood changes in someone you love. They may also change their habits or seclude themselves from social interactions.
Mental illness can be caused by severe stressors, including death, divorce or job loss. It may also be caused by a genetic component, chemical imbalance, or a combination of all of these. Fortunately, with proper treatment, those with a mental illness can often learn to cope with their disorder and lead a healthy life.
The Warning Signs
It can be challenging to determine whether someone you love is dealing with mental illness, particularly in young children and teens. Here are some of the most common symptoms.
Adults and Teens
- Persistent sadness or irritability
- Extreme anxiety or fear
- Having extreme emotional highs and lows
- Severe anger
- Delusional thoughts
- Confused thinking
- Hearing or seeing things that aren’t there
- Suicidal thoughts
- Substance abuse
- Inability to cope with daily life
Older Children and Pre-teens
- Substance abuse
- Vandalism, theft or defying authority
- Intense or unpredictable mood swings
- Poor appetite
- Suicidal thoughts
- Outbursts of anger
- A change in sleeping or eating patterns
- Inability to manage responsibilities at school or home
Young Children
- Poor school performance
- Extreme fear or anxiety
- Persistent nightmares
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Frequently being disobedient or angry, or throwing temper tantrums
- Hyperactivity
Mental illness affects everyone, not just the individual. Families can find the support and care they need through both family and individual counseling.
How Can Your Family Physician Help?
Not only is your family doctor likely to be the first medical professional who identifies that an individual is experiencing the symptoms of a mental illness, they may be able to provide referrals, help you build a treatment plan, or even have a mental health professional on staff. Never hesitate to bring up any unusual symptoms you or a loved one are experiencing with your primary care physician - even if those symptoms are mental, not physical!
-
Bridges
Category:
Treatment
Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.
There are several types of fixed
Read more
-
Brushing
Category:
Tooth Care
Brushing is the most effective method for removing harmful plaque from your teeth and gums. Getting the debris off your teeth and gums in a timely manner prevents bacteria in the food you eat from turning into harmful, cavity causing acids.
Most dentists agree that brushing three times a day is the
Read more
-
Bulimia Nervosa
Category:
Dental Problems
People with eating disorders can suffer from oral health problems as well. This is because many of the behaviors associated with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa—such as binge eating, self-induced vomiting, and use of diuretics or laxatives—cause changes in the mouth.
For example, repeated
Read more
-
Caloric Testing
Category:
Balance and Vestibular Disorders
The human sense of balance is a delicate orchestration of intricate mechanisms within the inner ear. Caloric testing, a specialized diagnostic procedure, takes center stage in unraveling the mysteries of vestibular function. In this exploration, we delve into the significance, procedures, and applications
Read more
-
Cancer Pain Management
Category:
Specialized Pain Conditions
Cancer pain is a complex condition that can be caused by the cancer itself, or as a side effect of treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. It’s a specialized pain condition that requires a comprehensive and personalized approach to manage effectively.
The Complexity of Cancer Pain
Cancer
Read more
-
Canker/Cold Sores
Category:
Dental Problems
People sometimes confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are completely unrelated. Both can be painful, but knowing the differences can help you keep them in check.
A canker sore is typically one that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. It is usually light-colored at its base and
Read more
-
Cavities and Tooth Decay
Category:
Dental Problems
What Is Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is caused by a variety of things; in medical terms, cavities are called caries, which are caused by long-term destructive forces acting on tooth structures such as enamel and the tooth's inner dentin material.
These destructive forces include frequent exposure to
Read more
-
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) Assessments for Adults
Category:
Diagnostic Audiology
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) assessments play a crucial role in understanding and addressing adult auditory processing challenges. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the intricacies of CAPD assessments, elucidating their significance, methodologies, and the transformative
Read more
-
Chipped, Cracked, and Worn Teeth
Category:
Treatment, Cosmetic Dentistry
Special thin laminates, called veneers, can often be used to correct discolored, worn down, cracked and chipped teeth. Veneers can also be used to close unsightly gaps between teeth. Stronger types of veneers made of porcelain, also called composite veneers, typically last longer because they are bonded
Read more
-
Choosing a Toothbrush
Category:
Product Reviews
Never before has there been such a dizzying array of toothbrushes on the market. Consumers are inundated with new designs, materials, attachments, and colors. Whatever toothbrush design you choose, the most important thing is that you use the toothbrush at least 2-3 times a day. Moreover, how long you
Read more
-
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pain
Category:
How Pain is Treated
The Power of the Mind in Pain Management
Pain is not just a physical sensation. It is a complex experience influenced by our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This is where cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) comes into play. CBT is a psychological treatment that helps individuals understand the interplay
Read more
-
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Category:
Specialized Pain Conditions
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that typically affects one limb, usually following an injury. CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous systems.
Symptoms of CRPS
CRPS is characterized by prolonged or excessive pain
Read more
-
Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation
Category:
Diagnostic Audiology
Achieving optimal hearing health begins with a comprehensive hearing evaluation—an intricate process that is the foundation for understanding the nuances of an individual's auditory capabilities. In this informative guide, we explore the critical aspects of a comprehensive hearing evaluation, elucidating
Read more
-
Crowns
Category:
Treatment
Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth.
Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the
Read more
-
Crowns and Bridges
Category:
Treatment, Cosmetic Dentistry
Bridges
Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.Bridges are sometimes referred
Read more
-
Dental Emergencies
Category:
Patient Information
A knocked out tooth or bitten tongue can cause panic in any parent, but quick thinking and staying calm are the best ways to approach such common dental emergencies and prevent additional unnecessary damage and costly dental restoration. This includes taking measures such as application of cold compresses
Read more