Different Careers Concerning Mental Disorders

September 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mental disorders are so numerous and different that defining the term “mental disorder” is a little difficult. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders recognizes over four hundred different definitions of mental disorders. Generally speaking, a mental disorder is an abnormal behavioral or psychological pattern in an individual. Many disorders fit this definition, and there are several health care careers that treat them.

People interested in healthcare employment in a field that addresses mental disorders could look into the following professions:

  • Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysts study and interpret human behavior, explore the relationship between the conscious mind and the unconscious mind, and delve into past experiences to find some sort of resolution to a patient’s mental problem. Psychoanalysis was developed by Sigmund Freud.
  • Psychiatry: Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing and treating mental, behavioral, or emotional illnesses. They are trained psychotherapists who can prescribe psychiatric medication and perform or order tests if necessary.
  • Psychology: Psychologists and psychiatrists share similar aims, but differ in that psychiatrists are licensed physicians. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication. They are also trained psychotherapists.
  • Primary Care Physicians: A primary care doctor is able to diagnose and treat some mental disorders or refer patients suffering from them to specialists.

With the possible exception of psychology, the above listed professions require specific medical degrees and all require years of study and hard work. But for those who have made it their career to help people with mental disorders, all that time and effort is outweighed by the benefits of the work.

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Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy You

July 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Anxiety often presents as excess energy. The jittery, on-edge feeling that accompanies this nervous condition can sometimes be relieved by doing something as simple as walking around the block. Not only does it divert your attention for a short period, but it can channel your energy in a different direction and release endorphins. These feel-good chemicals relieve stress and act as the body’s natural opiates to promote a general sense of well-being.

Depression, on the other hand, can feel like a distinct lack of energy. By getting up and moving for even a short period of time, those same endorphins can lift the mood just a little. For some people, it can make just enough difference to allow them to make the changes needed to improve their situation. Regardless of your mood, physical exercise helps everyone feel better and develop self-confidence through a healthier mind and body.

Of course, no one with a serious mental health condition should rely on exercise alone for treatment. If you experience serious depression or anxiety for an ongoing period, seek professional treatment. Ask your friends or family for recommendations or look for a qualified professional using online services like Canada 411.

A healthier mind and a healthier body go hand-in-hand to create a healthier you! When will you take that walk?

Filed Under: Care & Cure, Health, Mental Health Tagged With: , ,

Coping With Addiction

July 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Addiction is life-changing. It can completly change who you are, and it’s very easy to become addicted to something. Unfortunately, if you suffer from mental health problems, you are more likely to have an addictive personality. This increases your chances of becoming addicted to something, and can make it more of a challenge to recover.

The first step in coping with addiction is realizing when you are becoming addicted. Being addicted means you no longer have control over something – you don’t want it, you need it. This could be a psychological need, or a physical one. You might find that you suffer from withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, feeling unwell and sickness, when you don’t have it. You might find that your body needs more of the substance to get the same effects – for example, you might find you need more painkillers to numb the pain.

Psychological addiction is when your life begins to revolve around getting, and taking, the drug. An example of this is lying to the pharmacist or doctor to get more tablets, or stealing them.

People with addictions, physical or psychological, might find that they have drastic mood changes, and that their weight changes – you might lose a lot of weight, or gain a lot. Your sleeping habits might change, and you might feel anxious, depressed, and become less interest in things you used to enjoy.

If you think you might be becoming addicted, or are already addicted, you need to seek help. Addictions can be difficult to fight, and you are unlikely to succeed on your own. Speak to someone about your problem – you might want to confide in a friend or family member as a ‘practise run’ before telling a doctor or counsellor. There are many ways to fight an addiction, from addiction ‘holidays’ where you spend time in a camp to steps you can take at home, with help from your family and friends. You will get a choice in what you want to do – you’ll also get plenty of support to kick your addiction.

Filed Under: Addiction, Care & Cure

Mind Your Mental Health

June 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Health concerns plague everyone and we all rush to doctors when emergencies arise. Mental health is no different. If you need help, you need to get it from the right place. You should not panic or ignore signs of mental illness. Ideally, your medical insurance covers all your expenses but as for your mental health needs, you need to check whether you will be reimbursed or not. It is surprising that some companies either do not cover mental health services at all or offer partial compensation. For this reason, it would be a good idea to look into whether your insurance company provides you with coverage for mental health or not.

Apart from insurance, you should choose the right care and cure facilities for yourself or any family member. This would require enquiring beforehand about the various options in clinics, hospitals and rehabs for people who are not in the best mental health. You can go by the opinions and recommendations of a trusted psychiatrist. This will guarantee that you get the right mental health facilities at the clinic you decide upon. In addition, you must see to it that the medical treatments you undergo are in accordance with the problem you are facing.

In case of particular addictions such drugs or alcohol, a rehab facility might be the need of the hour instead of regular medical treatments. Rehab entails having your system completely cleaned of the harmful substances that were present in your body. Rehab is not only essential to get rid of the harmful physical effects of these addictions on your physical health but also, it will rejuvenate you mentally as well.

Filed Under: Care & Cure, Medical Care Tagged With: ,
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