Everyone occasionally struggles with feeling sad or overwhelmed. However, if those feelings linger or get to a point where you cannot function day-to-day, then you might have a mental health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year.” Early intervention and treatment can help you avoid a potential mental health crisis by giving you the tools to cope with and manage daily stressors. Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention provides essential crisis stabilization and treatment for individuals experiencing emotional distress.
What Is a Mental Health Crisis?
A mental health crisis is when a person has difficulty functioning or contributing to their community due to side effects or symptoms of a mental health issue. In many cases, people in crisis adopt maladaptive thought processes and behaviors that negatively impact their relationships and quality of life. The symptoms and side effects of an emotional crisis vary significantly from person to person.
Professional mental health treatment is an essential part of the healing process. People who choose to avoid getting help may experience the following:
- Legal problems
- Financial issues
- Job loss
- Relationship issues
- Physical illness or injury
You may feel uncertain about how to address situations that leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Treatment can help by giving you the tools you need to heal and develop essential coping skills. A mental health crisis does not have to derail your life or impact the direction of your future. If you participate in treatment, you can thrive during recovery.
What Causes a Mental Health Crisis?
No single event, action, or belief causes a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience issues that leave them feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. In addition, the symptoms and side effects of disorders look different for everyone. However, some known risk factors that can contribute to the development of a mental health crisis include:
- Untreated trauma
- Undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
- Toxic relationships or unhealthy family dynamics
- Unsafe home life or living environment
- Lack of social support
- Underdeveloped life skills
- Chronic pain
- Major life changes like the death of a loved one
Many people struggle with mental health issues. According to MedlinePlus, “More than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some time in their life.” Everyone experiences stressful events, and some people have difficulty coping with the effects. In many cases, a combination of unusually stressful life events can contribute to a person’s risk of experiencing an emotional crisis.
What Are the Signs of a Mental Health Crisis?
Some people have difficulty recognizing when their mental health begins to decline. The signs might seem innocuous at first. However, over time, the buildup of stress and emotional pain can lead to a debilitating mental health disorder that severely affects a person’s health and quality of life.
Some common warning signs that indicate a person may have a mental health problem include:
- Sudden and extreme mood shifts
- Paranoia
- Inability to function or complete daily responsibilities
- Changes in personal hygiene, including not showering or wearing the same clothes for an extended period
- Rapidly fluctuating energy levels
- Disordered speech or thought patterns
- Social isolation
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty focusing
The symptoms of mental health disorders vary significantly depending on the diagnosis. Some symptoms may overlap with co-occurring issues like substance use disorder (SUD). Dual diagnosis often requires simultaneous treatment. Personalized treatment based on a clinical diagnosis provides the best outcomes for most individuals. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Choosing the right treatment plan should be based on a person’s individual needs and medical situation” under the care of a mental health professional. Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention uses comprehensive assessments and screening to match clients with the appropriate treatments.
How Can Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention Help?
The dedicated professionals at Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention use evidence-based treatments, including psychotherapy and crisis intervention, to help people struggling with mental health issues. Our holistic approach to care looks beyond the disorder and treats the whole person.
Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs that provide structure, a stable environment, and access to essential support services. Our current programs include the following:
- Crisis stabilization
- Medication management
- Holistic treatments
- Recovery and safety planning
- Referral for ongoing services
- Family and community support
- Nutrition and recreation services
Our team ensures that every client receives the treatment, resources, and information they need to recover from a mental health crisis. You will have the ongoing support of mental health professionals and paraprofessionals. Our continuum will ensure you experience a smooth transition from structured care into long-term recovery. We offer continuing care for clients who may require long-term therapy or other support services.
Some people have difficulty recognizing they have a mental health issue. In most cases, it takes serious issues like relationship problems or losing a job to make people change. However, early intervention and treatment are essential if you want to limit the damage caused by a mental health crisis. Alter San Diego Crisis Intervention can help assess your mental health and give you various treatment options. We offer a continuum of care that includes partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. The services we provide will ensure you get the help you need to successfully maintain emotional stability. To learn more about our programs, call our office today at (866) 986-1481.
