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Mental Health

Treatment of Mental Health Concerns

From , former About.com Guide

Once a formal diagnosis of a mental health concern is made by a health professional, the real work begins. For many, treatment can take a lot of trial and error as patients and doctors work to find the option that will work best. The choices vary depending on the mental health problem, as well as its severity.
  1. Mental Health Care Providers
  2. Affording Care / Insurance
  3. Anxiety Disorders and Phobias
  4. Mood Disorders
  5. Developmental Disorders
  1. Personality Disorders
  2. Substance Abuse
  3. Eating Disorders
  4. Alzheimer's Disease and Dementias

Mental Health Care Providers

Your need-to-know information for selecting doctors, working with a treatment team, and deciding when it's time to seek a second opinion or a provider.

Affording Care / Insurance

Do you know if your doctors appointments and treatment plan are covered by your health insurance? What if you don't have insurance and need care? These resources can help.

Anxiety Disorders and Phobias

Ceding to irrational fears or enforcing rigid behavior patterns and avoidance techniques can disrupt your everyday life. Use the resources below in conjunction with the diagnosis and treatment advice of a healthcare professional to regain control over these various disorders.

Mood Disorders

Sufferers of bipolar disorder experience emotional extremes, both the euphoric high known as a manic episode and the melancholic low shared by sufferers of depression. Though you should always consult with a mental health professional before deciding on a treatment plan, you can use the resources below to assess the types of treatment available for each condition.

Developmental Disorders

Many individuals diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, autism, or mental retardation are children because the symptoms impede or impact child development. Use the resources below to gather an idea of the types of treatment and coping mechanisms available.

Personality Disorders

Borderline, antisocial, and narcissistic personality disorders are serious psychological conditions that often manifest during adolescence or early adulthood. They can interfere with interpersonal relationships, notions of self-image, and accepted social behavior, sometimes causing an individual to become a hazard to oneself or society at large.

Substance Abuse

Personal willpower is essential for overcoming substance abuse or addiction, but one cannot underestimate the importance of outside support in the form of group rehabilitation and encouragement. The links below will inform you about the various treatments available, from program offerings to medications.

Eating Disorders

Treatment for eating disorders must address multiple factors that contribute to the problem in order to be successful.

Alzheimer's Disease and Dementias

Alzheimer's and dementia are debilitating and frustrating diseases for sufferers as well as friends and family.

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