ARP 360 - Mental Health Treatment Options for 2024

This is the second part of a look at some of the mental health treatment options in 2024. There have been changes since the creation of the podcast in 2015.

For example, in 2015 there were limited telehealth options, no entrepreneurial mental health apps and service providers. No A.I enhanced apps. And mental health services was primarily provided face to face or in a group setting.

There have been changes in technology and access to care.

For my overseas listeners, I'm sorry but this one is going to be U.S. centric. There are cultural, governmental and way too many differences in access to treatment.  Please continue to listen and glean from it what you can.

Before I get to that, it helps if you know the terms, vocabulary and some of the science based options for your anxiety. 

One of the resources that is accessible is located at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health - Booklets and Fact Sheets. Consider this a starting point in your treatment, so that you have a understanding of what is going on and some, but not all of your treatment options.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

U.S. National Institute of Mental Health - Booklets and Fact Sheets The documents can be viewed on the website or downloaded as a PDF. There are also Spanish language versions.

Mental Health America page on Screening Tools for Anxiety

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. This therapy is suggested for people that have anxiety, some forms of depression.

In the Anxiety Disorders booklet, there is a section on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. There is a much longer definition I found at the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

If you prefer your information in an audio format, the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists has a self-help section that has recordings about various CBT topics, including dealing with anxiety. 

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) therapy the focus is that it routes you into the present tense, along with providing skills to handle problems.

There is a lot of treatment definitions on the Psychology Today website:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Equine Assisted Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is for folks that need help in regulating emotions, developing mindfulness skills and help with challenging situations. Harvard Health has a page about DBT, 

And Everyday Health has an extensive guide about DBT,

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 359 - Medication Treatment Options in 2024

I'm coming up on the anniversary for the podcast. I started in 2015 because even with the internet at the time, it was hard to find accurate information about having an anxiety or mental health condition. 

I also felt that limiting treatment just to medication or therapy didn't necessarily take into consideration the needs of a diverse group of people with the disorder. 

There are people that have symptoms and just want them to stop. Those folks need to know you might stop one set of symptoms but if you don't address the problem, they will come back.

I also have folks that will not, cannot and should not take medication. Therapy can help but you might have to do other things, like learn to meditate, breath for symptom control and manage you sugar intake.

Movement is important. Proper amount of sleep is essential. Work/Life balance isn't a dirty concept, it is what our bodies need to function and thrive.

So I'm breaking this up into a series of post. The first one is about Medication in 2024.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Mental Health America Screening Test for Anxiety. This is not a diagnostic test but it could give you indicators that there is a problem that you might need to address. There is also a version of the test in the Spanish language.

If you are new to this, you want to start with authoritative information.

The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has a page on anxiety disorders and the types of medication generally prescribed for the condition.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a page on medication options.

Helpguide.org also has information, they would prefer you to consider medication as a last resort but they have good information about anxiety disorders and attacks.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.