What is Mental Health?
Your psychological, emotional, and social well-being are all part of your mental health. As part of taking care of your mental health, you might try to drink or smoke less (or stop altogether), come up with ways to deal with stress, get better sleep, eat better, connect with other people, or be more active. Treating sadness, anxiety, and other mental health problems that may be getting in the way of your life is also a component of being mentally fit.
You can think of your primary care provider (PCP) as the point person for both your physical and mental health care. Our PCPs can help with the most common mental health problems, such as anxiety, sadness, lack of sleep, and stress management. They can also identify and treat problems like panic attacks. They can look at the state of your mental health and help you come up with a way to feel better. This could include advice on how to live your life, medicine, or, if needed, references to the right expert, like a psychologist or therapist.
How do I know when I should seek help for my mental health?
If your quality of life isn’t where you’d like it to be most of the time, you might want to talk to someone about it. You might not be able to sleep because you’re sad, or you might be so stressed out that you can’t concentrate at work without getting tense or panicked. Everybody goes through ups and downs in life, but if you feel like you’re not yourself for a long time, please let us know. You don’t have to wait until things are awful to report them; we also want to avoid things from getting worse.
Do I have to go to a psychiatrist or therapist for my mental health?
Most of the time, you don’t. Our primary care providers are sure they can handle most of the things that come in. When you start with us, you can save time and money and also get the care you need faster since you won’t have to wait as long to see a physician. We also make it easy to get help with your mental health before it gets worse, when you might not need or want to go to therapy.
Why would I see a Primary Care Provider for Mental Health?
People who work in primary care are taught to look at the big picture. They can tell when your mental health negatively impacts your physical health and when it’s the other way around. Things like low libido, stomach issues, and headaches can get worse if you have a mental illness like worry or sadness. Our providers have been trained to provide great, all-around care for a wide range of mental health problems.
Do you prescribe medications for mental health issues?
Yes, all of our primary care doctors are licensed to write prescriptions for medications when they’re needed and make sure that the right amount is taken each time. On the other hand, we treat each patient as a unique person, and we don’t think that one treatment works for everyone. There are times when medicine is an important part of a patient’s care and times when other methods may be better. Some people do best when they get both medicine and other treatments, such as diet advice, sleep hygiene, or mindfulness coaching. We will help you make a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Do I need to see a cardiologist before taking any mental health medications?
Antidepressants and antipsychotics are generally considered safe when used as prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional. However, like many medications, they can have potential side effects. Stimulants can have potential effects on heart health, especially when used in high doses. These effects can be more pronounced in individuals with preexisting heart conditions or those predisposed to heart-related issues.
We require a cardiology consultation prior to prescribing these medications. Your medical history and risk factors may affect your heart health and for your protection, we want to prevent any adverse effects or interactions, particularly with pre-existing heart issues.
A recent case study found that people who took stimulants for a long time were more likely to get heart disease, especially high blood pressure and artery disease.
If you are worried about the risks or side effects of a medicine, you should always talk to your doctor. They can look at your unique case, take your medical background into account, and give you advice that fits your needs. If you already have heart problems or are worried about how these medicines might affect your heart health, your doctor can help you weigh your options and choose the best care for you.
