Mental health issues range from acute but temporal to chronic and sometimes lifelong, and can be anything from mild and easily manageable to severe and requiring extensive clinical treatment. The National Institute for Mental Health estimates that 26 percent of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, and that nearly half of those have more than one psychological diagnosis. Treatments for mental health issues can include psychotherapy, medication, inpatient or outpatient treatment programs, and lifestyle changes. Most studies indicate that for major mental health disorders, a treatment approach involving both medication and psychotherapy helps more than either treatment method alone.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can treat any mental health disorder and is often used in combination with other forms of treatment. "Psychology Today" describes therapy this way: "Therapy provides ways to express feelings, understand patterns of thinking, gain perspective on past events and current relationships, set goals, and clarify dreams for the future. Therapy can both alleviate pain and suffering and add meaning and richness to life."
Therapeutic methods include psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, transpersonal and art therapy. Many types of clinicians provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families, including marriage and family therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and clinical social workers.
Medication
Many mental health problems can be addressed with drug therapy. Medication is particularly effective in treating schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Some medications cause side effects that can wear off with time. Drug efficacy, duration of treatment and side effects vary greatly from one person to another.
Lifestyle
Consistent and healthy lifestyle decision can make a difference in the treatment of mental health issues, including adherence to treatment, psychotherapy and/or medication even when symptoms begin to subside. The Mayo Clinic advises educating oneself about the diagnosed condition and paying close attention to warning signs of an increase or re-occurrence in symptoms. A healthy diet, regular exercise, good sleep habits, and avoidance of drugs and alcohol also can improve mental health symptoms.
In-Patient and Out-Patient Treatment
In-patient treatment is indicated in some severe cases and can mean psychiatric hospitalization for a few days to stabilize crisis-level depression, mania, suicidal behavior or psychosis. In some instances, longer-term residential treatment is required and includes drug and alcohol or eating disorders programs. In these cases, not only does the addictive behavior require treatment but a new way of coping and living must be learned, which takes time. Out-patient treatment, or partial hospitalization, is the next level down, with patients spending a good part of their days in treatment but still living at home and sometimes still working.
Significance
Mental health issues require the same attention and professional help that physical illnesses do. Left untreated, relatively mild or sporadic symptoms can grow into disruptive and distressing mental illness. The Mayo Clinic explains that to be classified as a mental illness, a condition must cause distress and reduce the ability to function in one or more areas of one's life, such as at work, in relationships or in social situations: "In general, what's considered a mental illness comes down to the severity of signs and symptoms, how long they've lasted, and how much they impair your ability to function in your daily life."
