How can people get help for mental illnesses?
Treatment for Mental Illness
Psychiatrist- diagnoses and treats mental disorders, can prescribe medicine
Psychologist- recognizes and treats abnormal behavior
Social worker- counsels patients and can provide a link between patient and treatment center
Psychotherapy- conversations between a trained professional and patient to get to the underlying issue behind the disorder
Behavioral therapy- helps a person change abnormal behavior by substituting it with more appropriate behavior
Group therapy- meeting with others who suffer from similar disorders- work to develop coping skills
Family therapy- focuses on family problems, and how they affect the family as a whole
Drug therapy- drugs do not cure the disorder; rather treat the symptoms associated with the disorder so patients may function normally (anxiety disorders)
Hospitalization- need constant attention or are a danger to themselves or others. Receive drug therapy and are prepared for their release into society.
Cognitive therapy- a type of psychotherapy that attempts to subsitute distorted thinking with realistic thoughts and ideas.