Your well-being is important, and we're here to diagnose and treat your condition with empathy and compassion. Receiving a mental health diagnosis is the first step to improving the quality of your life. With the right treatment plan and support, you can take control of your symptoms and focus on feeling your best.
Supporting your mental + behavioral health journey
Mental health issues are common in the U.S. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 1 in 5 Americans live with a mental illness. These conditions can affect your thoughts, emotions and behaviors, ranging from mild to severe.
Your well-being is important, and we're here to diagnose and treat your condition with empathy and compassion. Receiving a mental health diagnosis is the first step to improving the quality of your life. You can manage your symptoms like any chronic condition with the right treatment plan and support.
If you need help with your behavioral health, Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital in Malden provides expert care and support in a safe, welcoming environment.
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Conditions
Many factors can play a role in mental illness, including genetics, family history, childhood trauma, loneliness, high stress levels, abuse and chemical imbalances in the brain. Everyone’s behavioral health journey is unique, and the right care and support can make a big difference.
If you're experiencing mental health symptoms, talk to your primary care doctor. They may refer you for a psychiatric or neuropsychological evaluation for conditions such as:
- Adjustment disorders: Difficulty coping with or adjusting to significant life changes or stressors, such as a job loss or divorce.
- Anxiety: Feeling nervous, worried or fearful, often without a clear reason.
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD): A form of ADHD without the hyperactivity, where focusing can be difficult.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A condition that affects attention, impulse control and hyperactivity.
- Bipolar disorder: A mood disorder with extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression).
- Conduct disorders: Patterns of behavior that violate the rights of others, like aggression, lying or stealing.
- Depression: A persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness or lack of interest in life.
- Eating disorders: Conditions involving unhealthy eating habits, like anorexia, bulimia or binge eating.
- Impulse control disorders: Conditions where a person struggles to resist urges to do harmful things (e.g., stealing, setting fires).
- Learning disabilities: Difficulty understanding or processing information, affecting learning abilities.
- Personality disorders: Long-lasting patterns of thoughts and behaviors that may be distressing or harmful to others (e.g., borderline or antisocial personality disorder).
- Psychotic disorders: Mental health conditions that involve a disconnection from reality, such as schizophrenia.
- Self-harm behaviors: Intentional injury to oneself, often as a way to cope with emotional pain.
- Sleep disorders: Problems with sleeping, such as insomnia (trouble sleeping) or sleep apnea (interruptions in breathing while sleeping).
- Trauma: Emotional or psychological damage caused by disturbing events, such as abuse or accidents.
Getting the right diagnosis is an important step toward feeling better. With the right care and support, you can manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Testing
If you're experiencing mental health symptoms, your primary care physician can help diagnose a mental illness. Sometimes, extra assessments and evaluations are needed to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other possible conditions. These tests can also uncover other health issues that may occur together with behavioral health conditions. Common tests include:
- Behavioral observation: A professional observes and notes behaviors to help diagnose conditions like ADHD or autism.
- Blood tests: These check for chemical imbalances, infections or other medical issues that might affect mental health.
- Cognitive tests: Assessments that evaluate memory, focus and problem-solving skills.
- EEG (Electroencephalogram): A test that records brain activity, often used to detect seizures or other brain disorders.
- Emotional intelligence tests: Tests that measure how well you understand and manage emotions.
- Imaging: Techniques like MRIs or CT scans to check for physical abnormalities in the brain or other parts of the body.
- IQ tests: Intelligence tests that help identify learning disabilities or cognitive issues.
- Mental health screenings: Simple tests to identify symptoms of conditions like depression, anxiety or stress.
- Neuropsychological testing: A set of tests to assess brain function, including attention and cognitive abilities.
- Personality tests: These look at personality traits and behaviors, often used to diagnose personality disorders.
- Physical exam: A general checkup to rule out conditions that could affect mental health, such as thyroid problems or neurological issues.
- Projective tests: Tests like the inkblot test, where you interpret pictures to uncover thoughts, feelings, and unconscious motivations.
- Sleep studies: Tests to check for sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea, which can impact mood and mental health.
- Substance abuse tests: Tests to see how alcohol or drug use may be affecting your mental health.
These tests help give your doctor a clear picture of both your mental and physical health. Together, they ensure the most accurate diagnosis and the best treatment plan. With the right care and support, you can manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Treatments
If you're experiencing mental health symptoms, your primary care physician can help diagnose a mental illness. In some cases, extra tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other possible conditions. These tests may also reveal other health issues that can occur alongside mental health conditions.
Once diagnosed, the right treatment plan can help you manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): A safe, effective treatment for different psychiatric conditions, including severe depression and mood disorders like bipolar disorder, when other treatments haven’t worked. It involves passing small electric currents through the brain under anesthesia. Sessions are painless and typically take about 10 minutes.
- Hospital treatment: For severe mental health conditions, you might need more intensive care in a hospital facility.
- Lifestyle changes: Simple routines like regular exercise, healthy eating and getting enough sleep can support mental well-being.
- Lifestyle coaching: Offers guidance on healthy habits that support behavioral health.
- Medication: Medications may help manage symptoms, such as antidepressants for depression or antianxiety medications for anxiety disorders.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Practices like deep breathing, meditation and mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve mental health.
- School-based counseling: Helps students navigate academic and emotional challenges.
- Support groups: Connecting with others who share similar experiences can provide encouragement and a sense of community.
Talking with a licensed therapist can help you understand your emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Therapy options include:
- Behavioral therapy: Focuses on changing unhealthy behaviors and building positive coping skills.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing negative thought patterns.
- Couples therapy: Helps partners strengthen their relationship and communication.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Helps with emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Exposure therapy: Gradually helps reduce anxiety by confronting fears in a controlled way.
- Family therapy: Supports families in improving relationships and understanding mental health challenges.
- Group therapy: Provides a space to share experiences and learn coping strategies with others facing similar challenges.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Explores unconscious thoughts and behaviors to improve self-awareness.
Working closely with your healthcare team, you can find the best treatment plan for your needs. The goal is to help you feel better, improve your behavioral health and lead a fulfilling life.
FAQs
What's the difference between psychiatrists and psychologists?
Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors with the ability to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications. Psychologists are also licensed professionals who can diagnose mental health conditions, but they cannot prescribe medication. Both psychiatrists and psychologists use talk therapy, which is also known as psychotherapy, as part of their treatment plans.
What is behavioral health?
Behavioral health includes mental health and emotional well-being, covering conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD and substance use disorders. It focuses on how behaviors, emotions and thoughts affect your overall health and quality of life.
What are the signs that I need behavioral health support?
Common signs that you may benefit from behavioral health support include persistent feelings of sadness or anxiety, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, mood swings and trouble functioning in daily life. If these symptoms impact your work, school or relationships, it may be time to seek professional help.
What types of behavioral health treatments are available?
Behavioral health treatments can include medication, therapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), lifestyle changes (exercise, sleep and nutrition) and specialized treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) or inpatient psychiatric care. A personalized treatment plan is designed based on your needs.
What is the role of a psychiatrist in behavioral health treatment?
A psychiatrist is a medical professional who diagnoses mental health disorders and prescribes medication as part of a treatment plan. Psychiatrists often work alongside therapists to provide comprehensive care, especially for conditions that require medication management.
What are the different types of behavioral health clinicians?
Behavioral health clinicians include:
- Psychiatrists: Medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders and prescribing medications.
- Psychologists: Professionals who provide therapy and psychological testing but do not prescribe medication.
- Social workers: Often licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), they provide therapy and support, especially in family, group and community settings.
- Therapists/Counselors: Licensed mental health counselors (LMHC) or marriage and family therapists (LMFT) provide various types of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and family therapy.
- Nurse practitioners (NPs): Nurse practitioners specializing in psychiatry can provide assessments, therapy and medication management.
- Mental health counselors: Professionals trained to offer talk therapy and guidance for managing mental health issues.
How can lifestyle changes improve mental health?
Lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, good sleep hygiene and stress management techniques (like mindfulness or meditation), can significantly improve mental health. Incorporating these habits into your daily routine can boost mood and help manage mental health symptoms.
Do I need a referral to see a behavioral health specialist?
In some cases, a referral from your primary care doctor is necessary to see a behavioral health specialist. However, depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to contact a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor directly. It’s best to check with your insurance provider to understand the requirements.
What types of therapy are used to treat mental health disorders?
Different types of therapy can help with behavioral health conditions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps address negative thought patterns, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which focuses on emotional regulation. Other options include psychodynamic therapy, family therapy and group therapy.
Is medication necessary for treating mental health conditions?
Medication may be necessary for some mental health conditions, especially for disorders like depression, psychosis, or bipolar disorder. Medications, like antidepressants or anti-psychotic drugs, help manage symptoms. A psychiatrist will help determine if medication is part of your treatment plan.
How can I support a loved one who is struggling with mental health?
If someone you care about is experiencing mental health challenges, encourage them to seek help from a professional. Offer emotional support and help them explore treatment options, such as therapy or support groups. Remember, showing understanding and patience is crucial.
Where can I find mental health resources in my area?
There are many resources available for mental health support, including clinics, private practices, support groups and helplines. You can start by asking your primary care doctor for recommendations or searching for mental health services in your local area. Many cities also have crisis helplines for immediate support.
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