Mental Health Specialist

What is mental health?

Mental health refers to your emotional, psychological, social, and behavioral well-being. It often goes hand in hand with your physical health: If your mental well-being is suffering, it can affect your ability to take care of your body. Similarly, if you have poor physical health, your mental health can suffer as a result. 

At Primary Care Associates of Maryland, the team can evaluate your mental health and provide treatment when needed. When you get treatment for a mental health condition, the team takes a holistic approach and helps you maintain your mental well-being as you navigate your condition. 

What are some common mental health conditions?

The team at Primary Care Associates diagnoses and treats many of the most common mental health conditions and complications, including:

Depression

Depression is a common mood disorder, and it’s more than just feelings of sadness. If you have depression, you might feel chronically sad, hopeless, or uninterested in things that normally make you happy. Other possible symptoms include insomnia, oversleeping, and thoughts of suicide.

Anxiety

Anxious feelings from time to time are normal. If you have an anxiety disorder, fear, panic, and worry begin to take over your thoughts at all times. They can affect your ability to concentrate, work, and interact with others. 

Bipolar disorder

Like depression, bipolar disorder is a mood disorder. It’s characterized by drastic fluctuations between deep depression and periods of mania, or happy and motivated feelings. 

Substance use disorder

Substance use disorder is the harmful use of alcohol or illicit drugs that can become habitual over time. The team at Primary Care Associates of Maryland can help you break your habit.

How are mental health conditions treated?

If you have a mental health condition, the team at Primary Care Associates of Maryland evaluates you before they begin your treatment. Then, they create a personalized treatment plan to help you manage your mental health. In most cases, the best approach to treatment is multimodal. Your mental health plan might include:

• Medications (e.g., antidepressants)
• Counseling or therapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Ongoing evaluations

If you have a mental illness or disorder, the team at Primary Care Associates of Maryland assesses you at each appointment to see if your treatment needs any adjustments. Having a primary care provider can benefit you if you have a mental health condition because they get to know you and can better personalize your mental health management plan. 

To find out more about your own mental health and how you can improve it, call Primary Care Associates of Maryland or request an appointment online today.