Mental health conditions are a broad category of health concerns that affect your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. They can have a profound impact on your capacity to enjoy a healthy and satisfying life.
They often involve changes in thought patterns, mood, and behavior and may lead to distress or difficulties in participating in everyday activities, whether at work, in social settings, or with family.
Dealing with these issues is key to enhancing the quality of life for both you and your loved ones. Prompt treatment plays a crucial role in reducing the negative effects of mental health disorders, helping to increase well-being and feeling in charge of your life.
Mental health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being but may be overlooked, undervalued, or stigmatized. At Valia Lifestyle, we understand that mental health is just as significant as physical health in its influence on real health outcomes and daily life experiences.
Mental health refers to your cognitive, emotional, and social well-being and includes your thoughts, emotions, and mood.
Mental health conditions include a wide spectrum of conditions and experiences influenced by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Depression: This is a mood disorder that causes severe symptoms affecting how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. It is marked by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in most activities. There are different types of depression, some of which develop due to specific circumstances.
Anxiety Disorders: These include conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, which are characterized by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness. Symptoms can include feeling restless, wound-up, or on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pain and sleep problems.
Bipolar Disorder: There are a few types of bipolar disorder, and they all involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels that make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks. These mood changes range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): This may occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and includes symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares.
At Valia Lifestyle, our mental health support services are an integral part of our holistic approach to optimal health, which combines the power of mindfulness and meditation with cutting-edge solutions, like our Ketamine Assisted Lifestyle Medicine program.
In our methodology, we emphasize a consistent practice of self-care, stress management skills, and techniques for promoting emotional resilience.
Depression is more than an occasional bout of sadness and can become an overwhelming experience that influences many aspects of your life. It is characterized by persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or a lack of interest in activities that once brought joy. This emotional heaviness often affects thoughts, behavior, and physical health.
The causes of depression are diverse, and certain factors are known to increase the risk for it:
- Changes in brain structure and chemistry can contribute to depression, with genetic factors also playing a role.
- Trauma, loss, or significant life changes, such as divorce or job loss, can trigger depression.
- Certain chronic illnesses or medication side effects can influence the likelihood of depression.
- Chronic stress, a lack of social support, and financial difficulties can increase the risk.
Increasing evidence has propelled a paradigm shift, where depression is now seen as a systemic disease, with the brain-mind and body sharing a bidirectional relationship.
Chronic inflammation has been identified as a key common component in depression and multiple medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. All organs, including the brain, are vulnerable to inflammation-induced changes, with each displaying distinct patterns of dysfunction.
The damaging environment promoted by chronic inflammation may be reversible with treatment, such as with medications for depression. In addition, other treatments can equal antidepressants in terms of the degree of symptom reduction, such as psychotherapy, physical exercise, and acupuncture.
At Valia Lifestyle, we recognize that depression is a challenging journey, and we offer whole-person solutions that are essential in moving beyond the symptoms.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is when you continue to experience persistent depression symptoms despite multiple medical treatment attempts. TRD is typically diagnosed when at least two different antidepressants, or treatment strategies, have been ineffective.
Treatment ineffectiveness leading to TRD may be caused by a variety of factors, including the presence of other conditions like anxiety, substance abuse, or chronic pain, which can complicate depression treatment and reduce responsiveness to medications over time even though they were helpful initially.
Novel treatments like SPRAVATO® can be helpful. This version of ketamine has been shown to be effective and is clinically indicated, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, for the treatment of TRD in adults.
Anxiety is a common and natural response to stress or perceived threats, often referred to as the body's "fight or flight" mechanism. However, anxiety can become persistent and overwhelming and begin to interfere with daily life.
It can manifest as a variety of anxiety disorders.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves excessive worry about everyday life
- Social Anxiety Disorder centers on an intense fear of social situations
- Panic Disorder involves sudden and repeated attacks of fear that may last for several minutes
In addition to medication and psychotherapy, multicomponent Lifestyle Medicine interventions have been shown to be effective. These components include increasing physical activity levels, a high-fiber whole foods dietary pattern, and stress management skills.
At Valia Lifestyle, we believe your mental health is as much a part of your well-being as your physical health. We're dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment where you can discuss your experiences, struggles, and goals.
Our skilled team offers a comprehensive spectrum of solutions, including innovative approaches like Ketamine Assisted Lifestyle Medicine.
Our goal is to help you reclaim your mental wellness, rediscover a sense of purpose, and uncover the happiness that life holds.
To schedule a consultation, call Valia Lifestyle at 323-282-7280 or contact us online.