Understanding Mental Health

Perspectives on Mental Health

In my personal and professional life, I have heard many different perspectives on mental health. Though it is tempting to follow one perspective at the exclusion of others, my experience shows me that these perspectives are like different sides of the same mountain.

I have found several factors to be universal across the hundreds of patients I’ve evaluated and treated, though the influence of each factor depends entirely on the individual. The big factors I’ve encountered are the following:

1.) Genetics.

Genetics are huge in mental health. I have never treated a patient who did not have some family history of mental health issues, though many of those issues are not diagnosed. Genetics are not necessarily destiny, but they are a predisposition to experience mental health challenges, especially if they coincide with stressors.

2.) Family relationships.

My answer to the nature vs nurture debate is that it is definitely both. An infant's relationship with his or her caregivers is a template for all relationships and for an infant’s sense of self. Sometimes this template can support a healthy trust in others and durable self-esteem. Other times this template can leave an infant-turned-adult wary and overly reliant on a false sense of self. The good news is that this template is not set in stone and is especially modifiable with talk therapy.

3.) Physical health.

The mind and body impact each other in all sorts of ways! Many symptoms of mental illness are created or exacerbated by concurrent medical issues, including nutritional deficiencies, which are increasingly common in our modern food landscape. Optimizing physical health sets you up to optimize mental health as well.

4.) Life events.

A life contains all sorts of big moments - births, deaths, milestones, traumas. Each and every one of these can impact mental health in the present and future. Therapy can help you connect the dots of your life story and your emotional experiences.

Assessment and Treatment

My psychiatric assessments consist of a deep dive into these factors and more. From there, I will work with you to create a treatment plan to address each of these factors. Potential interventions include talk therapy, medications, supplements, nutritional counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, and referrals. Schedule a free fifteen-minute consultation today to start your treatment today!