Which Mental Health Treatment Is Right for Me?

Finding the right mental health treatment can seem overwhelming. With so many options available, how are you supposed to choose the treatment that’s best for you? There are different kinds of mental health specialists, different kinds of treatment and different types of therapy.

While some kinds of treatments can be scheduled into your ordinary life, others require you to put life on hold until you’re in a better state of mind. The best treatment for you depends on the type and depth of help you’d like to receive.

How to Tell if You Need Mental Health Treatment

Stress and minimal anxiety are a normal part of the human experience. However, if you’re experiencing high levels of anxiety, that’s a sign that you could benefit from treatment. Here are some other indicators:

  • Drastic mood swings
  • Disconnectedness
  • Racing thoughts
  • Deep sadness
  • Trouble sleeping

If you’re experiencing disturbing thoughts or feelings, it’s time to seek professional help. Although it may seem scary or embarrassing, please don’t let that stop you from reaching out. Mental health treatment will empower you to take back control over your thoughts, emotions and life.

Mental Health Treatment Options

Therapy is probably the most commonly discussed treatment for mental health. However, some people can also benefit from medication, exercise and other forms of treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all solution — every person requires a unique mental health treatment plan.

Different Kinds of Therapy for Mental Health

If you choose to go the therapy route — and it’s a good place to start — you should have a basic understanding of your options. Different types of therapy work best for different kinds of mental health disorders, and you may have to try a few before you find the best fit. Here’s a brief overview to help you get started:

  • Talk therapy: This type of therapy is a common treatment for many mental health disorders, including generalized anxiety. A trained therapist will ask you questions, listen to your responses and guide you in discovering a new way forward. Talk therapy has helped a lot of people, but it’s not the best choice for everyone.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps clients identify and retrain negative thought patterns. It can help with a number of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT is based on CBT and helps people accept their behaviors and learn to change unhelpful behaviors. It is often an effective treatment for people who have trouble regulating their emotions and can help manage conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
  • Exposure response prevention (ERP): This kind of therapy is the practice of slowly being exposed to things you fear without reacting. It’s often combined with CBT and is highly effective at treating OCD.
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): This type of therapy uses rapid eye movement to help people process traumatic experiences. It’s a good fit for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or have experienced something traumatic.

The first step toward choosing therapy is learning what type of mental health condition you’re experiencing. To do this, you can see your generalized practitioner or a psychiatrist for a mental health diagnosis. Depending on your doctor, they may refer you to a psychiatrist for more specialized care.

Medication for Mental Health

Some individuals may benefit from a combination of therapy and medication. There is no shame in needing medication — sometimes, it can give people the boost they need to start healing. If you’re concerned about the side effects of medication, talk to your doctor.

People with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may require medication to function normally. In some cases, it may be dangerous for individuals not to be on medication. There are a few different types of mental health medication:

  • Antidepressants: These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac and Cipralex. Antidepressants are typically used to treat anxiety and depression.
  • Antipsychotics: This kind of medication is used primarily to treat schizophrenia, although it may help with mood disorders as well.
  • Mood stabilizers: People with bipolar disorder often benefit from this type of medication.

Because of their training, therapists cannot prescribe medication — that’s something psychiatrists do. After you receive an official diagnosis, your mental health professional can talk to you about different treatment options.

Inpatient and Outpatient Programs

Clients who have a high level of functioning often choose outpatient treatment programs. This style of treatment involves fitting therapy and doctor’s visits into your regular life. If you’re physically safe and motivated to integrate therapy into your life, outpatient care may be the best option for you.

For inpatient treatment, clients come to stay in professional facilities for a certain length of time. Inpatient care can help clients quickly form new habits and accelerate their healing journey. While this type of treatment does significantly disrupt your normal life, it can be extremely valuable.

Some facilities offer varying levels of inpatient and outpatient treatment, allowing you to choose the best option for your lifestyle and finances. If you’re unsure which program would work best for you, talk to your doctor or psychiatrist.

How to Determine Level of Care for Mental Health

When you decide to invest in your mental health, there are several ways to determine the best level of care. The symptoms you’re experiencing and the type of diagnosis you receive are very important for the type of care you receive — for example, hallucinations typically require more care than generalized anxiety.

The first step is to see a doctor or psychiatrist who can give you an official diagnosis. Once you’ve learned about various treatment options, you can decide what you’re comfortable with.

Mental health treatment is an investment in your future. Don’t be afraid to try a combination of things, and don’t be discouraged if it takes time to regain your peace of mind. Every step you take is an intentional step closer to healing.

Contact Diamond House Today

At Diamond House, we offer a variety of professional treatment services to help clients improve their mental health. We provide you with personalized goals, treatment and support so you can take the next steps on your healing journey.

Our treatment options include inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient solutions, so you can find the best care for your situation. We accept many insurance options and are happy to answer any questions you may have. To find out more, contact us at 888-205-9346 or fill out our online contact form.