Top 8 Mental Health Treatment Options In The U.S.

Like physical illness, mental illness can take a serious toll on your daily life. Fortunately, it’s treatable. Most people receive multiple types of treatment at once. Here are eight of the most effective options.

1. Behavioral Therapy

In behavioral therapy, a mental health professional helps you address unhealthy behaviors associated with mental health disorders.

There are many different types of behavioral therapy. One of the most common and effective types is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). During CBT, your therapist teaches you how to change unhelpful beliefs and urges.

Other effective behavioral therapies include:

• dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which can help you manage intense emotions, especially if you have borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• exposure therapy, which can help you slowly and safely face your fears, especially if you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or other anxiety disorders
• interpersonal therapy, which can help you improve your relationship skills to ease symptoms of depression and other mental health problems

2. Medication

Psychiatric medications can ease mental illness symptoms by altering your brain chemistry. They work best when combined with therapy.

The most popular medications include:

• antidepressants, which can ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns
• antipsychotics, which can ease psychosis caused by mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
• mood stabilizers, which can help regulate mood swings caused by bipolar disorder or other conditions
  stimulants, which can improve focus in people with ADHD

These medications can have unpleasant side effects. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor will probably start you on a low dose and gradually increase it. If you still experience side effects, or if the medication doesn’t work, your doctor can switch you to another one.

3. Support Groups

When recovering from a mental health condition, you might feel like no one understands you. This feeling can damage your self-esteem and hinder your recovery. That’s why many mental health treatment plans include support groups.

In a support group, you can share your experiences with people facing similar challenges. You can also learn valuable coping tips that make your recovery easier.

There are in-person and virtual support groups for mental illnesses of all kinds, from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to eating disorders to schizophrenia.

4. Wellness Activities

While self-care benefits everyone, it’s especially important if you live with a mental health condition.

An effective mental health treatment plan includes self-care activities that boost your sense of well-being and help you cope with stressors.

These activities include:

• journaling
• meditating
• exercising
• engaging in creative activities, such as painting, writing, or playing an instrument
• spending time in nature
• spending time with supportive family members and friends

5. Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR)

Traumatic events can contribute to numerous mental health issues, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many people who have experienced trauma benefit from a type of therapy called EMDR, which stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.

During EMDR, you think about a traumatic event while your therapist guides your eyes back and forth. This strategy can help you reprocess your trauma in a healthy way.

In particular, it can help you discard negative beliefs surrounding your trauma, such as the belief that it was your fault. Once you shed these beliefs, common PTSD symptoms, such as nightmares, may lessen.

6. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a brain stimulation therapy used to treat mental health conditions such as depression, OCD, and PTSD. It’s often recommended for people whose symptoms did not respond to more traditional treatments, such as therapy and medication.

In TMS, doctors place an electromagnetic coil on your scalp. The magnetic fields stimulate nerve cells in your brain, which can improve your mood and sense of wellness. Most people receive several sessions over a few weeks, with each session lasting between 40 and 60 minutes.

7. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Like TMS, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a brain stimulation therapy.

Performed under anesthesia, ECT sends small electric currents to the brain, which induces a brief seizure. This process can improve symptoms of major depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions.

As with TMS, ECT is typically used when other treatments have failed. Possible side effects include headache, nausea, and temporary memory loss. In rare cases, memory loss may become permanent.

8. Hospitalization

If you experience a mental health crisis, such as suicidal thoughts or a psychotic episode, you may benefit from hospitalization.

At the hospital, you will receive 24/7 supervision as you recover from your crisis. You will receive crisis counseling and, if necessary, medication.

Depending on your needs, your hospital stay may last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Near the end of your stay, you will likely be given a referral for outpatient therapy or other types of treatment.

Get Help Today

To learn more about mental health treatment, please reach out to Bedrock Recovery Center. Our board-certified healthcare providers offer a variety of evidence-based treatments to help you or your loved one thrive.