Treatment for mental health disorders is not one size fits all. In fact, it may include a combination of different treatments and methods depending on the person’s unique circumstances and personal preferences. The most common types of mental health treatments include the following:
Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis refers to a condition where a person encounters mental health issues plus a substance use disorder concurrently. Individuals battling a mental condition may resort to alcohol or other drugs as a way to self-medicate. However, studies have proven that alcohol, as well as other drugs, worsen the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses. Dual diagnosis rehabilitation can provide effective treatment for individuals with both mental health and drug and/or alcohol dependency.
Psychological Therapy
Psychological therapy or talk therapy can be a fundamental approach to treating mental health issues and emotional problems such as depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), phobias, and anxiety.
A trained psychotherapist utilized numerous techniques that are proven to be effective such as supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic therapy. Treatment involves developing a relationship between the therapist and the client, with the therapist helping you to sort out and recognize the patterns of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You will also be taught how to handle stress, manage your emotions, and improve your relationships with others.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
An alternative to residential treatment are Intensive Outpatient Programs (also known as IOPs) which are treatment programs that address addiction, depression, eating disorders, bipolar, and more. They can be an essential lifeline for those who feel they are struggling on their road to recovery. IOPs are designed to help patients who do not require detoxification or round-the-clock supervision.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment will involve fewer distractions than an outpatient arrangement can provide, letting you focus all of your efforts on your personal recovery. By providing 24-hour support and monitoring during all the main stages of treatment, followed in most cases by an aftercare program, quality inpatient rehab centers that use evidence-based therapies can give you a distinct advantage on your journey to sustained recovery.
Group Therapy
Group therapy sessions will help you to get to know other people who are in the same situation. It also allows others to learn more about you, generating a friendly bond between you and your peers. It can be immensely helpful to connect with other people who are facing the same challenges as you, and watch as they make progress. Such experiences can help you better understand your own path to recovery.
Medications
Medications work by altering brain chemistry to help restore the balance of chemicals in the brain. Different types of medication treat different types of mental illness. The most common ones are antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Although medication can relieve the symptoms, it is not usually suitable for long-term use. Medications can be an important element for treating mental illness when combined with psychological therapy.
Alternative Therapies
Alternative therapies are increasingly popular when it comes to mental health care, especially for those who do not wish to rely on medications alone. Alternative therapies typically take a holistic approach to your physical, spiritual, and mental health. The focus is on treating the entire person and not just the physical symptoms or disorders. A range of supplemental therapies and activities may include nutritional counseling, spa treatments, tailored exercise programs with a personal trainer, yoga classes, and more.
Trauma Treatment
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment technique for alleviating emotional distress, trauma, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and more. Clients will be taught several different ways to deal with the stress related to the memories of traumatic events in their past. An EMDR treatment session may be delivered 1-2 times per week, and can last up to 90 minutes.