The problems poor mental health can cause are just as devastating and far-reaching as any physical illness. If your mental health is suffering for any reason, Katrina Gary-Forté, PhD, at Trade It In in Houston, Texas, can help. Dr. Gary-Forté provides expert counseling and treatment for patients with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, and substance use disorders. Call the Trade It In office today to request a mental health evaluation and learn more about effective mental health treatments or request an appointment online.
Mental health concerns the emotions and thought processes in your brain. If you have good mental health, you feel positive and happy most of the time. However, poor mental health can give rise to powerful negative ideas and emotions that can overwhelm you.
Mental health disorders might have physiological causes, such as damage to parts of your brain or imbalances in the neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that regulate mood. Psychological causes, such as chronic stress, traumatic experiences, and learned behaviors, are also common.
Your mental health can also influence your physical health and vice versa. For example, physical disorders like chronic pain, cancer, and other long-term problems can result in confusion, poor memory, depression, and personality changes.
Of the many mental health conditions identified, some of the most common include:
Substance use disorders and addiction are also mental health problems. Many people turn to alcohol and drugs because they feel unable to deal with problems in their lives. Unfortunately, these actions usually worsen mental health conditions and sometimes cause them. A mental health evaluation can help.
After your mental health evaluation, your provider will review the results with you and recommend a treatment plan. Dr. Gary-Forté at Trade It In offers a range of effective treatments to patients with mental health problems, including:
Psychotherapy or talk therapy comes in various forms to suit patients’ needs. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on providing you with coping strategies and the ability to change unhealthy thought processes. In contrast, interpersonal psychotherapy analyses problems or traumas and helps you come to terms with them.
Medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs help with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions by altering the balance of neurotransmitter chemicals in your brain.
Trade It In also runs MAT (medication-assisted treatment) and intensive outpatient programs for people with substance use problems and addiction disorders. These use FDA-approved medicines such as buprenorphine and naltrexone to help you get through the withdrawal stage and optimize your chance of successfully beating your addiction.
When you visit Dr. Gary-Forté, she talks with you at length and completes a thorough mental health evaluation before recommending treatment.
If you’re worried about your mental health, get a mental health evaluation and expert diagnosis and effective treatment at Trade It In. Call their office today or book an appointment online.