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Do you ever find yourself wondering when it’s time to look for professional help for your mental health? With the fast-paced world we live in today, mental health and its adverse outcomes are a hot topic, and for good reason. It’s becoming more and more evident that taking good care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. But despite this growing awareness, many people still struggle to determine when to seek professional help. Let’s gain some knowledge about when you should consider seeking professional help for your mental health.
When to consider seeking professional help for mental health

Understanding Mental Health

Before we discuss anything further, let’s first understand in detail what mental health means. Mental health is all about how we feel emotionally, socially, and psychologically. Our mental health affects how we think, behave, and feel, which in turn influences how we handle daily routine stress, relate to others, and make decisions.

Mental health is crucial for everyone, from childhood to adulthood. We should understand that some people have strong mental health while others face mental health problems or disorders. These conditions vary from feeling sad or moody to feeling scared or anxious to more severe mental health disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and more.

Recognizing Mental Health Issues

The first step in seeking professional help for mental health is identifying the symptoms and signs. Mental health issues manifest differently for everyone, but there are some common indicators to watch for. Let’s level up our knowledge on recognizing mental health issues

Persistent Sadness or Irritability

If you have been experiencing persistent feelings of irritability or sadness that have been interfering with your daily life, it is the right time to seek help from a mental health professional or facility. These feelings are a sign of depression or other mental health conditions, and it is important to address them as soon as possible. 

A qualified and trained mental health professional will help you understand and manage your emotions and provide you with the support and guidance you need to feel better. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help today.

Unexplained Physical Symptoms

It’s also important to note that sometimes physical symptoms like stomach aches, headaches, or unexplained aches and pains without a clear medical cause may indicate underlying mental health issues, which should be recognized and addressed as soon as possible before they get worse. 

This is because our body and mind are closely connected, and psychological distress can manifest in physical symptoms. For instance, depression and anxiety can cause headaches and muscle tension, while stress can lead to digestive issues and stomachaches. 

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you must see a mental health provider and discuss your situation with them. They will help you identify any potential mental health issues, including whether you may benefit from Suboxone treatment programs, and provide appropriate treatment under professional supervision.

Changes in Behavior

If you observe that your friend or family member has started to withdraw from social activities, seems to be increasingly dependent on substances, or is having trouble concentrating or focusing, it could be indicative of notable changes in their behavior. 

These changes could be due to reasons such as stress and any other mental health issue. It is important to be mindful of these changes and offer mental health support and assistance as needed.

Impact of mental health on daily functioning

Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide

It’s incredibly important to take any feelings or thoughts of self-harm or suicide seriously. These are difficult emotions to manage and can be overwhelming, but please know that there is help available. Seeking professional intervention from mental health facilities and doctors is a brave and necessary step towards healing, and there are compassionate and understanding individuals in your circle who are ready to support you through this.

Sleep Disturbances

Sleep disturbances are also sometimes a sign of underlying mental health issues. If you or someone you know are experiencing changes in sleep patterns, such as oversleeping or insomnia, you must pay attention to them. Insomnia, for instance, can be a symptom of depression and anxiety disorders.

On the flip side of the coin, oversleeping can be a sign of depression, seasonal affective disorder, or other related conditions. Therefore, you must keep track of your sleep patterns and seek professional help if necessary.

Difficulty Coping with Stress

Another mental health concern is difficulty coping with stress, which makes your daily life challenging. If you are unable to manage stress, it leads to overwhelming feelings of anxiety or panic. 

If you constantly feel overwhelmed or stressed, it’s important to address it before it becomes a more serious condition. Seeking help from mental health professionals is a game changer and helps you learn coping mechanisms and manage stress in a healthy way.

Mental health treatment from professionals

Knowing When to Seek Help

It’s important to be aware of the potential signs of mental health issues and to know when to get help from mental health professionals like psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, or psychotherapists. If you or someone you care about is experiencing the following scenarios, getting professional assistance is an important step toward getting the needed support and care.

Impact on Daily Functioning

When you start experiencing mental health problems that begin to affect your ability to work, maintain relationships, or take care of yourself, it’s important to ask for professional help. If you’re having trouble functioning in your relationships or completing tasks, it may be a sign that you need professional assistance. 

If you are hesitant about seeking professional help, you can always talk to your trusted friend or family member and ask them to get help from mental health professionals. No matter what the situation is, you should never take mental health conditions lightly.

Symptoms Persist or Worsen

If you have been experiencing symptoms related to mental health issues, such as stress, depression, anxiety, or mood swings, and have tried to address them on your own, but they persist or worsen over time, you must seek professional mental health help. Mental health problems are complex and require expert intervention to manage effectively. 

Delaying, ignoring, or avoiding seeking professional help exacerbates the symptoms and leads to long-term negative outcomes, which obviously you will never want. Therefore, prioritize your mental health and get the support you need as soon as possible.

In this advanced digital age, many resources, such as counselors, therapists, and mental health clinics, can help you manage your symptoms and regain control of your life. There are now 24/7 helplines available on which you can call and discuss your situation. You can search for these families easily by simply searching online. These services are for you, and they will respond to you quickly and professionally address your issues.

Resources for Mental Health Support

There are many resources available for people who need help with mental health issues or addiction. You can call a mental health hotline if you need immediate help or information. There are also support groups where you can openly talk to others going through similar struggles, or you may consider an addiction treatment program for further support.

Some support groups meet in person, but many are online; you can choose the one you are most comfortable with. Online therapy is also becoming more popular, and there are many websites where you can talk to a therapist or join a support group from the comfort of your own home. 

In addition, if you don’t have a lot of money, you can look for a community mental health center in your area. These centers offer medication management, counseling, and therapy, and the cost is often based on what you can afford. Take the first step today and start living a fulfilling, healthy life.

Don't Fight Alone: Get Support for Mental Illness

It is recommended to always prioritize your mental health and seek professional mental health help when needed. Mental illness can take various forms, and a mental health specialist can help diagnose and treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD, anxiety, GAD, depression, and more.

Benefits of seeking professional help for your mental health

Mental health is a global concern, and organizations such as the World Health Organization are working towards improving mental health services worldwide. Seeking professional help for mental health issues is a brave step towards healing and living a fulfilling life.

Compassionate Mental Healthcare & Support - Dragonfly Medical

At DragonFly Medical and Behavioral Health, we understand that dealing with mental health challenges is difficult and also overwhelming. That’s why we are here to provide you with compassionate care and support every step of the way. 

Our mental healthcare facility offers a range of services, including substance abuse treatment, telehealth, primary care services, mental health services, and group support. Our mental health professionals provide you with the best possible care and support, and we want you to know that you are not alone.

We are open and taking new patients, and we also provide Telehealth Services. Our clinic is located at 102 North Broadway Street in Johnson City, TN. If you need help or want to schedule an appointment, please call us at 423-588-9978 or text us at 805-208-2919. 

We are here to listen, support, and help you on your journey towards healing. Contact DragonFly Medical and Behavioral Health, and let us help you.

Clinic Office Information

We are OPEN and taking new patients while also providing Telehealth Services to patients who are able to use this system Click Here for more information on our Telehealth Services

Our Fees

Our current fees, which are due in full at time of service are:

$90 for 1 week

$160 for 2 weeks

$310 for 4 weeks

Dragonfly Medical and Behavioral Health is able to accept the following forms of payment:

  • Money Order
  • Cashier's Check
  • Debit Card
  • Credit Card
  • Please, no personal checks

A service charge is added to all credit card or debit card or prepaid card transactions in person and over the phone.

Insurance: please click here for insurance information

Providers

Dr. Matthew Caffrey, MD, M.P.H

Substance Abuse & Primary Care

Dr. Alicia Caffrey, PhD, M.S

Psychologist and Clinical Director

Dr. Tom Reach, MD

Medical Provider

Dr. Adam Love, PsyD

Psychologist