I would say about 50% of the people who I see have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, roughly 20% of Canadians will have enough diagnostic criteria to fit a category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders. From personal experience, this can be a nerve-wracking journey as you try to navigate why you feel the way that you do and if the issues that you are facing are environmental, biological or a mix of both.
During my training in understanding the DSM-5 and treatment for mental health disorders, I remember being overwhelmed with the increasing categories of classification. With each of the names given for presenting symptoms came assumptions and beliefs of typical ways in which people would normally act. Psychology, for example, is the study of the human mind and behavior in light of our previous records as mental health care providers. In other words, when we see a person, we note it, we categorize it and we look for future actions to fit our understanding of how that person had acted in the past.
The result of this scientific process ushers in your typical features of a given diagnosis in our present day.
Depression and Anxiety spectrum disorders seem to be the more common reasons why people will come to me for help, along with a handful of other diagnoses. In Canada, there are a variety of options in managing the symptoms which you may be facing. For some people, medication is a helpful route. Depending on the person, it will normally take a few weeks to a couple of months to really figure out the proper dosage. A psychiatrist is usually a good choice in mental health professional as this person will give you a diagnosis and suggested medications to help alleviate some of the symptoms. For others, psychotherapy is also helpful and a more natural way of treating the symptoms and finding root causes of why we do what we do; and why we may feel a certain way. A psychologist or psychotherapist/clinical social worker are good choices of qualified professionals to choose from. This route of treatment often takes the form of weekly appointments for the first several weeks and then bi-weekly or monthly session afterwards for mental health maintenance.
In terms of choosing which option to take, it is helpful to understand that it does not necessarily have to be an "either/or" treatment option; but could be a "both/and" approach as many choose to take medication and then meet with a therapist who acts as a guide and coach in discovering their new landscape in light of their mental health and the medication that they are now on.
The hard news is that managing your mental health can be a difficult process which may last your entire life. But the good news is that there are many qualified people here to help. If you feel that you would like to reach out, feel free to give me a shout.
Until next time,