Mental Health Treatment

What are Mental Health Conditions?

Personality Disorders

Personality is the way of thinking, feeling, and behaving that differentiates people from one another. An individual’s personality is influenced by their experiences, environment (surroundings, life situations), and genetic traits. A person’s personality typically stays the same over time. However, a personality disorder is a way of thinking, feeling, and behaving that causes distress and interrupts daily functioning in significant ways.

There are 10 specific types of personality disorders. Psychiatrists classify these as:

• Schizoid personality disorder – Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social detachment and limited emotional expression.
• Schizotypal personality disorder – Schizotypal personality disorder involves eccentric behavior, unusual beliefs, and difficulty forming close relationships.
• Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) – Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is marked by a disregard for the rights of others, impulsivity, and a lack of empathy or remorse.

• Borderline personality disorder (BPD) – Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is defined by unstable relationships, self-image, and mood, often leading to intense and unstable emotions.
• Histrionic personality disorder – Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by excessive attention-seeking behavior, emotional volatility, and a desire to be the center of attention.
• Narcissistic personality disorder – Narcissistic personality disorder is marked by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for excessive admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.
• Avoidant (or anxious) personality disorder – Avoidant (or anxious) personality disorder involves extreme social anxiety, a fear of rejection, and a reluctance to engage in interpersonal relationships.
• Dependent personality disorder – Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others for decision-making and an intense fear of separation or abandonment.
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCDP) – Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) involves an obsession with order, perfectionism, and control, often at the expense of flexibility and spontaneity.

Anxiety Disorders

Experiencing anxiety is normal. Everyone gets feelings of nervousness from time to time, or when triggered by a specific situation. However, people with anxiety disorders consistently have intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. They may also experience episodes of sudden feelings of intense fear and panic attacks.

Persistent feelings of anxiety and terror can get in the way of one’s ability to function normally. They can be extremely difficult to control and make people feel out of touch with reality. For example, people may avoid places or situations that trigger these unpleasant emotions. Symptoms of anxiety often start during adolescence and continue into adulthood.

Anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder – Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness and muscle tension.
• Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) – Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) involves an intense fear of social situations and scrutiny, often leading to avoidance of social interactions.
• Specific phobias – Specific phobias are intense and irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as heights, spiders, or flying, causing significant distress and avoidance behaviors.
• Separation anxiety disorder – Separation anxiety disorder is marked by excessive anxiety and fear when separated from attachment figures, typically seen in children but can persist into adulthood in some cases.

It is possible to experience more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs medical or therapeutic attention.

Treatment and Therapies for Anxiety Disorders

There is no shortage of resources when it comes to treatment for anxiety. At 1st Step, we offer a variety of different therapies and medical care that can help individuals manage their anxiety effectively without turning to drugs or alcohol.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-known method in psychotherapy. Through CBT, individuals can learn to recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that lead to anxious feelings. This form of psychotherapy helps people understand how their thoughts and behaviors connect.

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy generally focuses on identifying symptoms of anxiety through detailed assessment and providing therapy. The main role of an occupational therapist is to correct the behavior by providing different approaches and activities.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment for anxiety, depression, and other health conditions. During acupuncture, a practitioner sticks thin, sharp needles into the upper layers of skin, at points of the body that correspond with different organs. Acupuncture works by activating natural painkilling chemicals in the brain. This can, in turn, reduce anxiety.

Yoga

Yoga combines breathing techniques, meditation, and stretching through both moving and stationary postures. Yoga has many benefits. It can help you appreciate the present moment more, as well as deal with inconvenient pain.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that can be defined by extreme shifts in mood. Bipolar disorder is also referred to as bipolar disease or manic depression. People who suffer from bipolar disorder experience both manic and depressive episodes.

“Manic” describes an increasingly restless, energetic, talkative, reckless, powerful, euphoric period. Then, at some point, this euphoric state can spiral into something darker – irritation, confusion, anger, feeling trapped. “Depression” describes the opposite mood – sadness, crying, sense of worthlessness, loss of energy, loss of pleasure, as well as insomnia.

There are three types of bipolar disorder:

• Bipolar I Disorder – Characterized by manic episodes lasting at least one week, often accompanied by depressive episodes, and can include psychotic features.
• Bipolar II Disorder – Involves recurrent depressive and hypomanic episodes (less severe than full-blown mania) but no full manic episodes.
• Cyclothymic Disorder – Marked by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms over at least t

Bipolar Symptoms

The symptoms vary based on the episode. However, they can generally be categorized by manic and depressive episodes. Mania and hypomania are also two distinct types of episodes, but they have the same symptoms.

Manic and hypomanic episodes include three or more of the following symptoms:

• Abnormally jumpy
• Increased activity, energy, or agitation
• Euphoric feelings
• Decreased need for sleep
• Unusual chattiness
• Racing thoughts
• Distractibility
• Poor decision-making

A depressive episode includes symptoms that are severe enough to cause noticeable difficulty in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships.

A depressive episode includes five or more of the following symptoms:

• Depressed mood, such as hopelessness or emptiness
• Irritability
• Loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in most activities
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Slowed behavior or restlessness
• Fatigue
• Self-loathing
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thinking about, planning, or attempting suicide

Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Florida

At 1st Step, treatment for bipolar disorder is carefully tailored to each patient. We make sure to look over the patient’s past medical history, as well as their current state. Treatment for bipolar disorder can include a variety of different methods.

Depending on your needs, treatment may include:

• Medications to balance mood changes. Mood stabilizers and antidepressants are often used to help manage bipolar disorder symptoms.
• Day treatment programs offer a structured approach to treatment including daily appointments with a therapist
• If you have problems with alcohol or drugs, you’ll also need substance abuse treatment
• Hospitalization or inpatient treatment may be necessary depending on the severity of the disorder.

Depression

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious mental health concern that negatively impacts how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. Sadness is a normal emotion we all experience. However, depression is a consistent state in which a person feels unfulfilled, hopeless, and sad.

Depression causes feelings of unhappiness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and home.

Symptoms of Depression

Recognizing the symptoms of depression is crucial. Understanding what you’re going through allows you to know when to seek help. Symptoms of depression generally include:

• Difficulty focusing
• Fatigue
• Feelings of shame
• Pessimism and hopelessness
• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or sleeping too much
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Loss of interest in things once pleasurable, such as sex
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

Depression Treatment in Florida

Depression is a treatable mental illness. However, as stated by the World Health Organization, less than 50 percent of people diagnosed with depression worldwide receive treatment.

There are many ways to go about treating depression. There are lifestyle changes that can significantly improve one’s depression. At 1st Step, we offer holistic care, therapy, and much more when it comes to treating depression.

Some types of therapy teach you practical techniques on how to reframe negative thinking and change toxic behavior habits. Therapy can also help you work through the root of your depression, helping you understand why you feel a certain way.

At 1st Step, our depression treatment program will help you:

• Build and sustain healthy relationships. Through different forms of therapy, we’ll arm you with the right tools to build healthy relationships in your life.
• Set healthy boundaries. It’s important to know when to say no. We often clutter our lives with unnecessary things, people, and situations. Breaking out of this pattern and being intentional with your time is another powerful tool we’ll teach you. We believe in the power of talk therapy and consistently working towards a happier future through practiced techniques.
• Handle life’s problems. Talking with a trusted therapist will provide you with solid feedback on more positive ways to handle life’s unfavorable situations. It’s all about changing the way you react to situations. You can’t always control the situation, but you can control the response.

Treatment may also involve finding the right antidepressant medication for you.

Medication Management in Mental Health Treatment

Medication management therapy (MMT) is a treatment system used by doctors and pharmacists to ensure that patients are receiving optimal medical and psychiatric care. Especially when prescribing medication, patients must be monitored and taken care of accordingly.

Medication management may be advised for patients who:

• Developed an alcohol or opioid dependence
• Have severe cravings and/or withdrawal symptoms
• Have a co-occurring medical or mental health disorder
• Were abusing multiple drugs at once (poly-substance abuse)

Many individuals with mental health disorders also have co-occurring medical or other mental health conditions. Medication management takes these comorbidities into account, ensuring that the treatment plan addresses all aspects of the patient’s health.