Caring for the Mental Health of Your Whole Family

Did you know that family physicians don't just treat illnesses and injuries but also provide mental health services? Dr. Sarah Payberah maintains a family medicine practice in Plano, TX, and often treats patients with mental health issues. She discusses common mental illnesses and explains how family physicians can help you and your entire family.

Anyone can suffer from mental illness

Many people associate mental illness with severe symptoms that make it difficult to perform even the most basic life tasks. Although some people do suffer from severe forms of the illness, many of us struggle with some degree of mental illness at some point in our lives. By definition, mental illness refers to disorders that affect thoughts and behaviors and affect the quality of your life or your ability to function normally.

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses

More than 300 million have depression worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Symptoms of depression may include:

• Sadness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue
• Lack of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
• Impatience
• Anger
• Appetite changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hopelessness

Children and teenagers can also be affected by depression, although the symptoms may not be the same. Changes in behavior, substance abuse, poor school performance, nightmares, extreme anxiety, disobedience and changes in sleeping or eating patterns may be signs of depression in children.

Luckily, effective treatment is available for depression. When you visit our Plano office, we'll discuss your symptoms and discuss available treatment options, including medications and talk therapy.

Other mental illnesses

Many other types of mental illnesses can affect your ability to enjoy a full, productive live, including:

• Anxiety
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Dementia
• Schizophrenia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Panic disorders
• Substance abuse
• Eating disorders

Talking about your problem is the first step

Some people feel uncomfortable admitting that they have a mental health issue. For years, society conditioned us to believe that mental illness was something to be hidden and denied. Today, we know that mental health issues are common and very treatable. Family physicians regard mental health as just another part of your overall health and are committed to helping your entire family manage mental health problems.

Are you concerned about a mental health issue? Call Dr. Payberah's Plano, TX, family practice at (972) 981-7830 to schedule an appointment.