6 Things to Know About San Diego Mental Health

Alter Mental Health Can Help During a Crisis

People with underlying mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder have a higher risk of experiencing a mental health crisis. Those with these disorders should manage their mental health through self-care techniques, exercise, good nutrition, and San Diego mental health treatments. Unfortunately, even when taking the necessary precautions and getting treatment, people with mental health disorders can still experience a mental health crisis.

Alter Mental Health can help during a mental health crisis in San Diego. Our San Diego mental health treatment programs offer an alternative to inpatient hospitalization. Clients will receive round-the-clock care from a team of caring mental health professionals, doctors, and nurses to ensure their safety and help them quickly return to their daily lives.

Click here to contact Alter Mental Health San Diego at 866-986-1481 to learn about using our short-term crisis stabilization unit for individuals struggling with an acute mental health crisis.

How Is Mental Health Defined?

Mental health involves a person’s psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Our mental health can affect how we think, feel and act, as well as how we relate to others, make healthy choices, and handle stress. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health as it affects all aspects of your life. It can help improve overall happiness and the ability to balance responsibilities and life activities. Mental health disorders can affect the ability to relate to others and function in everyday life.

How Common Are Mental Health Disorders?

San Diego mental health disorders are quite common. Half of Americans will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives, making them among the most common health conditions. Here are some statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

• 1 in 5 American adults experiences a mental health condition each year.
• 1 in 6 young people have experienced a major depressive episode.
• 1 in 20 Americans has a serious mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression.

Unfortunately, less than half of American adults living with mental health disorders receive treatment. Mental health disorders can worsen without treatment and lead to a mental health crisis. People who receive treatment can live happy, productive lives like others.

10 Types of Mental Health Disorders

Many different conditions are recognized as mental health disorders. Every person will experience symptoms of these disorders differently, and they can all range in severity. The most common types of mental health disorders include but are not limited to:

1. Anxiety disorders: While we all experience periods of anxiety, those with anxiety disorders experience persistent feelings of anxiety or dread which interferes with daily life. They may also feel physical signs of anxiety, including sweating and rapid heartbeat. Types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias.
2. Depressive disorders: It is normal to experience periods of sadness; however, people with depressive disorders experience continued depressed moods or loss of interest in activities, which can lead to emotional and physical problems. It is a mood disorder that includes major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder. People may have trouble with normal day-to-day activities and feel that life is not worth living.
3. Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder causes changes in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Individuals can experience intense emotional states that typically occur during distinct periods of days to weeks, called mood episodes, categorized as manic (abnormally happy or irritable) and depressive. It is categorized into three different diagnoses: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder.
4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Individuals with OCD struggle with constant thoughts or fears that cause them to perform certain rituals or routines. Attempting to ignore or stop obsessions can lead to distress and anxiety, which drives the person to perform the acts to ease the stress. For example, a person may excessively fear germs and compulsively wash their hands to the point they are sore and chapped.
5. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, sexual assault, or car accident. People with PTSD will have lasting, uncontrollable frightening memories of the events with symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. PTSD symptoms can interfere with daily life and cause significant problems with social, work, or relationship situations.
6. Personality disorders: Individuals with personality disorders experience long-term patterns of unhealthy and inflexible thought patterns. They can cause severe problems with work, social activities, relationships, and the ability to deal with everyday stresses. Several types of personality disorders include paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.
7. Eating disorders: Eating disorders are severe disturbances in a person’s eating behavior related to thoughts and emotions. They may have an extreme preoccupation with food and body weight. Eating disorders are serious and can be fatal without treatment. Common eating disorders include binge-eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa.
8. Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder in which the person interprets reality abnormally. They can experience hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior. Schizophrenia requires lifelong treatment as it can impair daily function and be disabling.
9. Schizoaffective disorder: This mental health condition includes symptoms of schizophrenia and a mood disorder. People can experience depression, mania, hallucinations, and psychosis. Treatment involves medication management along with psychotherapy and skills training.
10. Substance use disorder (SUD): SUD is a chronic, lifelong mental health disorder that affects the brain’s behavior, leading to the inability to control drug or alcohol use. Symptoms can range from moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form. SUDs can affect all aspects of a person’s life, including relationships, mental health, physical health, finances, and ability to hold employment. People can manage addiction and SUDs with behavioral therapy and skills training.

Click here to contact Alter Mental Health San Diego at 866-986-1481 to learn about using our short-term crisis stabilization unit for individuals struggling with an acute mental health crisis.

5 Things to Look for When Researching San Diego Mental Health Facilities

There are several ways to manage mental health disorders, which often require professional intervention. Knowing which facilities offer the best treatment can be difficult with so many San Diego mental health treatment options. Here are some things to consider when looking for a San Diego mental health facility:

1. Use of evidence-based treatments: This includes FDA-approved medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy.
2. Qualified, licensed staff: They employ board-certified mental health specialists, psychiatrists, doctors, and nurses.
3. Use of individualized treatment plans: Mental health disorders affect each person differently and require personalized treatment plans to be effective.
4. Thorough intake assessments: Effective mental health treatment begins with the right diagnosis, which is found through clinically-based diagnostic tests and complete biopsychosocial assessments.
5. Accreditation from an outside party: The best indication of a quality San Diego mental health facility is one that is accredited by an outside accrediting body such as the Joint Commission.

Click here to contact Alter Mental Health San Diego at 866-986-1481 to learn about using our short-term crisis stabilization unit for individuals struggling with an acute mental health crisis.

Call Alter and Get the Best San Diego Mental Health Help

Alter Mental Health offers the best San Diego mental health help through personalized treatment plans and evidence-based treatment methods. Our crisis stabilization unit is an alternative to inpatient hospitalization with round-the-clock care from a staff of mental health specialists, physicians, and nurses. Clients can get mental health treatment in San Diego quickly through our 24/7 helpline which can be reached at 866-986-1481. Please contact us if you feel you are struggling with a mental health crisis. Your mental health matters, and you deserve the best San Diego mental health treatment.