Mental Health Disorders
Caring for your mental health is something everyone should make a priority, but for those with mental health disorders, it is crucial. Nearly half of all people in the United States will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime. Although common, mental health disorders can often be misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed entirely. Here at Lighthouse Recovery, we diagnose and treat multiple mental health disorders as well as co-occurring disorders to ensure you are safe, medicated if necessary, and recovering. Some of the more common mental health disorders we treat include bipolar disorder, eating disorders, generalized anxiety, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia.
Attachment Disorder
As a child, the bond you have with your primary caregiver is essential to how you develop emotional connections throughout life. Even in infancy, that connection is a crucial aspect of how you’ll react to relationships in the future. Although it impacts adults, attachment disorder is most often diagnosed in children and tends to be rare. Usually, those with loving parents will not be affected. Attachment disorder is most common in those who have been through the foster system or have spent time awaiting adoption. Not only can attachment disorder be brought on by inconsistent caregivers, but it can also stem from childhood trauma such as abuse or neglect. Growing up in such an environment can lead a child to seek comfort in any adult rather than creating a healthy bond with a primary caregiver. Read More.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Although anxiety is a normal part of life, people with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) feel worried or nervous more frequently, even when there are little or no reasons for worrying. The symptoms of GAD include persistent feelings of anxiety or dread that interfere with everyday life. Read More.
Bipolar Disorder
This condition is characterized by episodes of mania which are then preceded by depression. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to function day-to-day. There are three categories of bipolar disorder, and we treat all three as well as co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD). Read More.
Major Depressive Disorder
Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder (MDD), is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. The results of major depression can be so severe that extent of impairing one’s ability to perform daily functions. To be diagnosed, one must experience symptoms such as persistent sadness, hopelessness, guilt, and more for a minimum of two weeks. Read More.
Grief and Loss
In the medical setting, grief is the emotional reaction to various types of loss, which can occur in many different ways. For instance, losing a job and a loved one might trigger the same grief response. And while it’s normal for individuals to experience this emotional distress, there are some cases when grief might become problematic for their health. Grief can become one of many different mental health disorders when allowed to persist without resolution. And that’s why it’s important to recognize when an emotional reaction to a loss or trauma can still be considered healthy and when it’s time to seek help and support. Read More.
Shame
Those feelings of embarrassment and humiliation are a part of the shameful experience. And realistically, everyone has experienced shame once or twice – some more than others. But then again, shame isn’t necessarily a good thing. At its core, shame is the feeling of being inadequate or wrong. It’s a direct injury to a person’s ego and can stem from an internal source or be caused by an external factor. And while many of us will feel shame at some point in our lives, others are controlled by their shame, paving the way to various mental health problems. Read More.
Spectrum Disorder (Autism)
Affecting children and persisting into the adult years, spectrum disorders can significantly impair a child’s ability to engage in society and perform everyday functions. Known to exist in varying levels of severity, spectrum disorders are named such because of the way they can manifest differently from child to child. The most common spectrum disorder today is autism or ASD, which occurs at a rate of 1 in every 160 children globally. And although some individuals might experience the symptoms of ASD more profoundly, modern-day research has made it possible for medical experts to provide patients with an effective therapy that can help them cope more efficiently with independent living. Read More.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The condition of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops in those who have experienced one or more events of severe shock, fear, or danger. Enduring a traumatic situation can cause one’s fight-or-flight response to go haywire. Not only does one experience fear at that moment, but that terror often lasts even in situations without any danger. This issue can lead to unpleasant symptoms such as night terrors, insomnia, anxiety, or even anger and violence. Read More.
Eating Disorders
These disorders include a variety of severe and even fatal illnesses associated with people’s eating behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. The usual signs of an eating disorder involve obsessions with food, body weight, and physical shape. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
Schizophrenia
Although often misunderstood by mainstream media, schizophrenia is a mental health disorder affecting how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Schizophrenia often leads someone to struggle to comprehend what is real and what isn’t. Without proper treatment, the symptoms lead to struggles with everyday activities such as work, school, maintaining relationships, and being independent.
