What are the Barriers to Seeking Mental Health Treatment?

If someone experiences mental health issues, why wouldn’t they want to seek treatment? What’s stopping them from getting the mental health help that they need? It may be easy to think, “Just get help!” But many barriers — individual and systemic — make it more difficult for some people to seek outpatient mental health treatment and make inpatient mental health treatment seem impossible. 

How Many People Face Barriers to Mental Health Treatment?

The World Health Organization reports that about 1-in-8 people worldwide have a mental illness or disorder, and many don’t receive adequate mental health care.

The average delay between someone experiencing symptoms of a mental health issue and the beginning of their treatment is 11 years in the United States, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

People aren’t receiving the mental health treatment they need. But why? What are the barriers to seeking mental health treatment?

Fear of the stigma related to mental health treatment is the greatest barrier people experience, according to Richard Pelfrey, Director of Program Development and Implementation for Integrative Life Network. He said people just want to feel “normal.”

“On the surface, a person’s refusal may be justified by their busyness and explanations of why help isn’t necessary, but they’re likely afraid.”

In addition to fear, people may experience other barriers, such as a lack of knowledge about mental health, support, resources, and access to counseling and therapy.

Lack of Mental Health Literacy

Talking about mental health has been stigmatized in the past (and continues to be among some groups and cultures). So, people may not know what signs and symptoms to look for. They may think what they’re experiencing is typical when, in fact, they have a mental illness that is affecting the way they live.

Past Negative Experiences

You’ve probably heard it before — sometimes, people seeking resources within their community or from the government don’t have the best experiences. Red tape, mountains of paperwork, and long wait times can plague community service organizations, including mental health services for those who are lower-income or need additional support. If a person has a negative experience with community mental health services, why would they trust them or try again?

Lack of Resources

Mental health services can be expensive, depending on factors like where a person lives and if they have insurance. Some people have access to mental health assistance through their jobs, but many people don’t have health insurance that covers counseling and therapy. 

Additionally, a person could experience a lack of support from their loved ones. For some cultures, families, and communities, the stigma surrounding seeking counseling or therapy remains strong. Some people may not have a supportive person to encourage them to seek help when needed. 

Lack of Access

Geography matters in terms of mental health resources. If you live in a city, you may have access to transportation that can take you to a counseling session at a community health agency during your lunch break. If you live in a rural area, it may take an hour to travel to the community agency and an hour back, making it difficult to continue counseling and keep regular working hours. 

Virtual counseling services make a difference for some communities, as not traveling for mental health services makes counseling more accessible. But, the same problems still exist for more intensive treatment or for those who can’t afford a computer or smartphone.

Ways to Break the Barriers

Where barriers to seeking mental health treatment are in place, how can a person or a community work to break them down? Some things help to dissolve these barriers, some of which you can do on the individual level, others in the community, and others must take place at societal and institutional levels.

Mental Health Education 

It’s essential to encourage conversations about mental health that provide accurate information. Many people aren’t familiar with the signs and symptoms of mental health issues simply because they haven’t had access to education about the topic. 

Agencies and professionals can provide basic mental health classes. People can seek information from books, podcasts, and papers on mental health. Schools may consider adding courses on mental health awareness or ensuring these conversations happen within other curricula.

Community Awareness

Community awareness can include things like making services that are available known to the public. Public figures and community leaders can speak out about mental health issues and link people to resources that work for them.

Family and Peer Support

Breaking barriers to treatment includes supporting loved ones dealing with mental health issues, encouraging them to seek treatment, and being knowledgeable of resources you can provide to your loved ones if they need help. 

How Does Integrative Life Center Help Eliminate Barriers to Mental Health Treatment?

Integrative Life Center is a mental health treatment center that actively tries to eliminate barriers to treatment.

“At ILC, we approach issues as opportunities to launch into our greatest life possible and to claim the joy and purpose which is our birthright,” Richard said. 

“This journey begins by finding reconnection through healing. This knowledge allows our team to approach any presenting problem without judgment and within the framework of acknowledging – perhaps for the first time in a person’s life – that they have been wounded and that wound was not their fault. And so it is that we are often able to soothe a person’s stigma-driven shame at the beginning of their healing journey through compassion and empathy.”

ILC offers various treatment options, programs, classes, and more. The mental health professionals at ILC advocate for their clients, working at the individual level to break down barriers to seeking inpatient or outpatient mental health treatment. Contact ILC today if you or a loved one needs mental health support.

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What Causes Personality Disorders?

A personality disorder is when the way an individual thinks, feels, and behaves differs from other people’s expectations. Often these thoughts, feelings, and behaviors cause distress or problems functioning. It’s not just having a bad day. It’s a behavioral pattern that continues for an extended period. Personality disorders can impact personal relationships and hurt the person’s overall quality of life. But what causes personality disorders? 

The Cause of Personality Disorders

The exact causes of personality disorders aren’t entirely clear. Researchers believe personality disorders may stem from a complex combination of factors that tend to trigger specific issues. Doctors aren’t entirely sure why some people develop these feelings and behaviors, and others don’t. But common factors seem related to the development of personality disorders.

Causes of personality disorders may include: 

• Genetics. Some elements of personality are inherited, and certain genes can increase the likelihood of having a personality disorder. 
• Childhood Trauma. People diagnosed with a personality disorder are more likely to have experienced trauma growing up. These experiences may include neglect, the death of a parent, or abuse. Not everyone who experiences a traumatic situation will develop a personality disorder. Still, there is a link between the number and type of childhood traumas and the development of a disorder.
• Environmental Factors. The environment and social circumstances you grow up in can affect your personality and lead to a disorder. You may develop a personality disorder if you had instability in your family, family mental health issues, an unsupportive caregiver, or were the victim of bullying or discrimination.

Melisse Prusinski, Clinical Manager at Integrative Life Center, doesn’t think there’s one primary cause of personality disorders. She said:

“There is usually a wound in early attachment and an abandonment that leads to an intense fear of rejection. The panic that is felt from the fear of rejection has led to a maladaptive world outlook.”

The Impact of Personality Disorders

Personality disorders can significantly impact people’s quality of life and relationships. This impact results from the disorder affecting how you think about and relate to yourself and others, how you respond emotionally to situations, and your ability to control your behavior.

People with personality disorders have self-identity, emotional, relationship, and impulse control issues.

At Integrative Life Center, Prusinski said clinicians don’t categorize individuals based on a label or diagnosis. Instead, they provide integrated treatment to the whole person. They don’t attempt to treat symptoms but to uncover the root cause of the disorder and help the person heal from there.

Most Common Personality Disorders

While ILC clinicians focus on holistic healing, they recognize that people come to the center with personality disorder diagnoses. There are numerous personality disorders, but the following three are most common.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. This condition causes people to try to be perfect and only do things their way. People with this disorder have an intense need for order and neatness. They believe in following rigid rules and want to maintain a sense of control at all times.

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder. A person with this disorder overrates their importance, leading to grandiose plans, self-centeredness, and intolerance of others. People with this disorder show a need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. They may act entitled, take advantage of others, or lack empathy.

• Borderline Personality Disorder. This disorder is a state between psychosis and neurosis that can cause a pattern of instability in personal relationships, intense emotions, poor self-image, and impulsivity. People with this condition struggle with relationships and may have extreme mood swings and outbursts. They may fear abandonment, have repeated suicide attempts, display inappropriate, intense anger, or have ongoing feelings of emptiness.

Treatments for Personality Disorders

While personality disorders can be challenging to treat, treatment is possible. There are multiple approaches mental health professionals can use to help.  

“We assist in the healing journey of the root traumas that have altered a person’s life,” Prusinski noted. “This includes identifying and finding gratitude for the resulting thought patterns and behaviors that once kept a person safe but just can’t serve them in the way they want.”

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most useful tools for people with personality disorders. CBT helps people gain insight into themselves and how the personality disorder affects them. A therapist will usually work with the patient to develop helpful strategies to manage the negative behaviors and regain control of their life.

But talk therapy alone isn’t enough, Prusinski said. 

“You can’t talk someone out of an irrational thought,” she said. “To make change or learn anything new, humans need to have an experience. Moving, knowing their body, breathwork, nature, dancing, and then, yes, talking about their profound experience is what really makes change and keeps a person invested.” 

Coping Strategies for People with Personality Disorders

If you have a personality disorder, you can take steps to handle the issues the disorder causes. Once someone identifies their list of unhelpful chaotic behaviors, they can make a new agreement with themselves to set a daily intention to respond more helpfully, Prusinski stated.

If you have a personality disorder:

• • Educate Yourself. The more you know about your condition, the more empowered you will feel to cope with it’s symptoms. 
  • Be Physically Active. Physical activity releases endorphins that makes you feel emotionally healthier. 
  • Avoid Substance Use. Using substances may temporarily relieve symptoms of your disorder, but it’s likely to cause you bigger issues in the long-term. People with personality disorders also are more prone to addictions.

• Seek Professional Support. The support of loved ones is valuable, but guidance from a mental health professional is critical to the management of your symptoms.

Helping Loved Ones with Personality Disorders

Personality disorders also impact people who know and love those who have them. 

If you have a loved one with a personality disorder, be:

• Patient. Don’t take your loved one’s behavior personally. Give them time and space to recover.
• Practical. Offer practical support, such as scheduling therapy appointments and offering transportation.
• Available. Let loved ones know you are willing to join them in therapy or help them in any way.
• Vocal. Speak out and tell your loved ones how much you appreciate their efforts to overcome their personality disorder.
• Mindful. Don’t use language that blames or accuses your loved one. Use “I” statements instead of “you” statements. For example, rather than saying, “You scared me when…,” try saying, “I felt scared when you…”
• Educated. Do your best to understand the disorder so you can emphathize with what your loved one experiences.

Prusinksi said treatment is critical for people and their family members to understand personality disorders. 

“Many times clients find resilience by identifying as having a diagnosis of personality disorder. This empowers them to read literature, consume media, and connect with others,” she said. 

Information is power, according to Prusinksi. 

“We are honest with clients about any diagnosis they may have and if they fit the criteria for a personality disorder,” she said. “We assist them in choosing the language they want to use for themselves.” 

How ILC Can Help with Personality Disorders

At Integrative Life Center, we take a trauma-resolution approach to treatment and strive to help clients heal the wounds “driving” their personality behaviors. This heart-centered approach treats the whole person and helps you move forward into healing, health, and recovery. Integrative Life Center is here to help with personality disorders. Contact us today.

The post What Causes Personality Disorders? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/what-causes-personality-disorders/

Which Symptoms Indicate Someone May Need Mental Health Treatment?

Do you or a loved one need mental health treatment? The term “mental health” refers to how people think, feel, and act. “Mental health is a state of well-being in which individuals realize their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and are able to make a contribution to their community,” according to the World Health Organization. If you’re failing to enjoy good mental health or know someone who is, it may be time to seek treatment.

People with mental health disorders can lead happy and productive lives. Professional mental health services can make that possible. If you have good mental health, you feel like you’re making a difference and have a sense of purpose. You can cope better with life’s ups and downs and experience well-being, feel good, and function well in the world. First, you must identify whether you or your loved one needs mental health treatment.

Statistics Related to Mental Health Disorders

In the United States, 1 in 5 adults experience mental health problems each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Furthermore, many people suffer from more than one mental health disorder at a given time, known as comorbidity or co-occurring disorders.

About 9.5% of American adults ages 18 and older suffer from a depressive illness each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health Disorders, part of the National Institutes of Health. And most people who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder.

Types of Mental Health Disorders

People can experience a variety of mental health issues that may require treatment. Mental health concerns become mental health disorders when the symptoms impact a person’s ability to function and relate to others. 

Common mental health disorders include:

• Mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder)
• Anxiety disorders
• Personality disorders
• Psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
• Eating disorders
• Trauma-related disorders (such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Substance use disorders

Symptoms of mental health issues vary in frequency and severity. Consider the effect the symptoms have on your – or your loved one’s – ability to function in daily activities. 

Serious mental health challenges can harm personal relationships, self-care, or performance at work or school. 

Mild mental health issues are less disruptive, but often treatment is helpful. 

Mental health concerns don’t have to be serious for people to reach out for professional help and support. Anyone who wants help can seek it.

Symptoms that Indicate the Need for Mental Health Treatment

The primary way to tell if someone needs mental health treatment is if they seem to feel disconnected, according to Richard Pelfrey, the director of Program Development and Implementation for Integrative Life Network.

“It’s a disconnection from life obligations, ourselves, other people, and the natural world around us.”

The disconnection may look different depending on the person, Richard said. It could include isolation, decreased ability or willingness to complete self-care activities, numbing or escaping through external substances and processes, or the loss of interest or ability to fulfill responsibilities. 

One of the most commonly reported signs of depression isn’t sadness at all – it’s apathy. Apathy is a feeling of overwhelming indifference to yourself, your life, and those around you, even toward people and things that previously excited you. It’s a lack of motivation to get out of bed in the morning and an inability to figure out why you cared about something.

Signs of mental health issues include:

• Excessive Anxiety. Uncontrollable or excessive anxiety may result in physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, or interrupted sleep.
• Reliving Traumatic Experiences. People may replay traumatic images or find that certain experiences, situations, places, or objects throw them back to a traumatic experience.
• Drastic Sleep or Appetite Changes. Weight or appetite changes and changes in sleep patterns, such as not being able to sleep or sleeping too much, are all symptoms of disconnection.
• Uncharacteristic Behavior. Any unusual behavior such as excessive anger, irritability, or overusing substances can indicate needing mental health treatment.
• Expressing Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide. If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, or engaging in self-harm or suicidal behaviors, seek help immediately.

How to Encourage Someone to Seek Mental Health Treatment

Often people find themselves dealing with a friend or loved one who shows some signs they may need mental health treatment. Richard said it’s critical not to assume that a loved one needs something they aren’t asking for. 

He said, when approaching someone about seeking mental health treatment, you should never order or force someone to get help. 

“Language that is invitational versus compelling can soften a refusal. For example, ‘I love you and I think that you would benefit from seeking help,’ rather than, ‘You need help, accept it or else.’” 

Richard also stated that accepting a person’s refusal leaves the invitation open. 

“The invitation is there for the suffering person to turn to when their need becomes greater than their fear of exploring their issue.” 

Richard noted that a different approach is called for if someone shows suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 

“Of course, there are scenarios when resistance to help may result in grave harm or even death. In these situations, a person may benefit from an ultimatum which compels them to get treatment.”

When encouraging treatment:

• Set a time and space to discuss it without distractions
• Be prepared for resistance
• Don’t be judgmental
• Educate yourself about mental illness so you can speak in an informed manner
• Offer help in finding treatment
• Set boundaries for yourself. Limiting your interaction with the person is OK if they refuse help.

Seeking Mental Health Treatment

Mental health is important, and seeking mental health treatment should never be frightening or complicated. If you or someone you love show signs of mental health issues, it’s essential to seek help. Contact Integrative Life Center to find out what treatment options are available and which are best for you or your loved one. Better mental health is possible. Don’t put it off.

The post Which Symptoms Indicate Someone May Need Mental Health Treatment? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/which-symptoms-indicate-someone-may-need-mental-health-treatment/