Global Courant
The term Behavioral Health was coined almost 40 years ago. However, over time, the meaning of this word has evolved. Most people use behavioral health as a synonym for mental health, while there is a difference between the two.
Mental health has to do with a person’s mental state or psychology, but behavioral health has to do with the habits a person possesses such as eating patterns, sleeping patterns, the lifestyle choices they make. etc. If a person is struggling with a mental health issue, it may be comorbid with behavioral issues and physical health issues. It is estimated that 70 percent of mental health problems are related to behavioral problems. Therefore, treatment centers or behavioral health services have become essential to combat the disease.
According to one study, about 44 million people suffer from mental health problems each year, but only 40 percent of them can be treated. There are several reasons that contribute to people not seeking help for mental health disorders. While 60 percent of people do not seek treatment because of the associated social stigma, others do not seek treatment because they remain undiagnosed, have no money, do not have access to a reliable mental health facility, or do not have credible behavioral health centers near them .
Behavioral Health Services
Behavioral health services are not limited to mental health treatment programs. With its evolving scope, the range of services has only grown. Some of these services include:
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Psychiatric
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Psychology
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Mental health counselling
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Family and marriage counseling
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Substance abuse treatment, including prevention, recovery, and intervention
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Chronic disease management
Understanding Behavioral Health
Behavioral health refers to the relationship between daily habits (good and bad) and how they affect physical and mental health. Ideally, good habits (healthy eating, exercise and sleeping patterns) lead to a balance between good physical and mental health. On the contrary, bad habits often lead to poor physical and mental health.
Based on lifestyle choices made, behavioral disorders can include:
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Living in unsanitary conditions
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Eating Disorder
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Social abstinence
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Sleep disorder (sleeping too little or too much)
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Substance abuse, including drug, alcohol, or chemical dependence
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Addictive behaviors such as gambling, sex, compulsive shopping, etc.
Why is it so hard to seek treatment?
Most people don’t seek help for behavior disorders because they keep in denial. It’s hard for them to accept that they have a problem. Some people think it’s a choice they made and therefore can’t be called a problem. The reasons for not seeking treatment can be many and varied. Some of the other reasons could be:
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Social stigma and embarrassment
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Fear of being judged by society
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Not being able to recognize symptoms properly
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Lack of trust and support
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Feelings of loneliness and hopelessness
What are the benefits of seeking treatment?
Behavioral disorders are complex and require tailored treatment, but it is difficult to convince patients to get treatment. However, knowledge of the benefits of treatment can provide the necessary push to seek treatment. The benefits of seeking treatment are as follows:
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Improves quality of life
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Fights mental illness from the root
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Improves personal and professional relationships
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Reduces the chance of complications, especially with addiction-related problems
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Improves productivity
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Reduces the risk of medical problems
What are the available treatment options?
A treatment plan for a conduct disorder may be a combination of several therapies, the most important of which is group therapy. Encouragement and support groups provide personalized therapy that helps the patient better understand themselves and their goals. Group therapy also provides patients with contacts of others who have or have had similar problems. Interacting with such individuals helps the patient realize that they are not alone. It also provides them with the necessary moral support to take care of themselves and to seek and continue treatment. However, the tailor-made treatment programs require an effort from several types of professionals. These professionals can be:
Psychiatrists: These service providers can address a wide variety of issues. They deal with psychiatry in different aspects such as adolescence problems, childhood struggles or substance abuse. They prescribe drugs to treat behavioral disorders.
Psychologists: These professionals have experience in psychological counseling. This includes clinical psychology. They perform diagnostic work and conduct psychotherapy to treat the patient’s condition.
Social workers: They help through government-run programs. They work in a variety of areas related to child mental health, substance abuse and mental health in the underprivileged society.
Recognized Professional Advisors: These counselors usually specialize in treating patients with psychotherapy. These professionals may focus on specific areas of behavioral health, such as family problems, substance abuse, and relationship problems.
Residential treatment centers: These are inpatient treatment centers where people are allowed to stay under 24/7 medical supervision. The patients undergo a personalized treatment plan according to the severity and duration of the condition. These centers provide a controlled environment for treatment and relapse prevention.
When to seek help?
Behavioral disorders should never be undermined. They need to be identified at the earliest or it will affect the patient’s relationship and productivity as they mature. Behavioral abnormalities have impacted lives. There are countless treatment programs available to treat the condition.
The benefits and challenges of behavioral therapy
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