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Mental health concerns are most often chronic conditions, which means that they don’t have a one-time cure. Dealing with a mental health disorder like depression, anxiety, a compulsive disorder or a personality disorder requires ongoing management and a dedication to maintaining one’s health for life. The Guest House Ocala offers high-level care for those who are struggling with a mental health disorder and are in need of guidance to get back on a path of recovery and wellness.

Understanding Mental Health Disorders

With major advances in modern psychological medicine, we have a much deeper understanding of mental health concerns and how to treat them than we did even a decade or two ago. But the public perception of mental health continues to lag behind current scientific knowledge. There are still too many barriers to receiving proper care, including stigmas, lack of access to providers and misdiagnoses. Untreated mental illness can be harmful to both the individual who suffers from a disorder and to those around them, as a spiral into depression, triggered PTSD, panic attacks or other flare-ups can easily interfere with relationships, physical health, work or other aspects of daily life. Undiagnosed mental illness can be even worse, as a person does not even have the tools to understand or express why they feel the way they do. The emotional toll that this takes on an individual struggling with a mental health disorder can be devastating.

But the lack of awareness about the potential long-term effects of living with a mental health disorder means that many people don’t get the help they need, despite the potential life-altering effects that come with lack of treatment. A 2016 National Institute of Mental Health survey estimates that just under 20% of American adults have a diagnosed mental health condition, and less than half of them receive regular treatment. Keeping up with therapy, medication or healthy coping mechanisms is vital to maintain stability and prevent the disorder from becoming overwhelming. And, much like chronic physical illnesses, the symptoms of mental health disorders can come and go over time. It’s common for people to need to reevaluate their long-term management plan regularly and to watch for warning signs of returning symptoms.

Overall, it’s most important to understand that mental health disorders are serious conditions that can be damaging to a person’s life and the lives of their loved ones when ignored or unaddressed. If you are worried that you or a loved one might be experiencing symptoms of a disorder like depression, anxiety, a personality disorder, PTSD or OCD, you should encourage them to seek help as soon as possible. Receiving a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment can mean all the difference in their life, both now and in the long run.