Talking about mental illness can be hard. There is a stigma that surrounds mental health and mental illness. It can prevent people from getting the support and help they need.Cognitive learning theory psychology but mental illness is a common problem. In fact, about 1 in 5 people will experience some sort of mental illness in their lifetime. So, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.Cognitive learning theory psychology your family doctor is a good place to start.

For some people, the thought of talking to their doctor about their mental health is scary. But getting treatment for mental illness is important.Cognitive learning theory psychology it rarely goes away on its own. Left untreated, it can get worse, lead to other health problems, or last for a long time. Deciding to talk to your doctor about your mental health is the first step on your journey to feeling better.Cognitive learning theory psychology do I need to see a doctor?

• set reasonable goals for the appointment. Diagnosing and treating mental illness takes time. If you set a goal of having your symptoms go away immediately, you will likely be disappointed.Cognitive learning theory psychology instead set a few reasonable goals. These could include explaining your symptoms to your doctor, learning a possible diagnosis, and coming up with a treatment plan.Cognitive learning theory psychology

• be as open and honest with your doctor as possible. He or she can’t help you if they don’t know everything that is going on. It can be hard to open up about your feelings, especially with someone you don’t know very well.Cognitive learning theory psychology but your doctor is trained to deal with sensitive issues. They will be supportive and professional, and you won’t tell them anything they haven’t heard before.Cognitive learning theory psychology

• understand the diagnosis process. There is no test that can tell you if you have depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another mental illness.Cognitive learning theory psychology sometimes it can be challenging for your doctor to be able to name the specific condition you have. Plus, you may have a combination of conditions that are causing your symptoms.Cognitive learning theory psychology for example, depression and anxiety often occur together. Bipolar disorder shares some symptoms with depression. And depressive illnesses often occur with physical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.Cognitive learning theory psychology your doctor may ask you questions that seem unrelated to mental illness. This is all in an effort to make sure they get the diagnosis right.Cognitive learning theory psychology

• follow through with treatment. After you’ve shared your concerns and your doctor has given his or her diagnosis, together you will come up with a treatment plan.Cognitive learning theory psychology this may include talk therapy, medicine, lifestyle changes, or a referral to a specialist. It is your job to follow through with the treatment.Cognitive learning theory psychology schedule appointments with a specialist or a therapist. Get your prescription filled and take the medicine as directed. Give the lifestyle changes a try, even if you don’t feel like it.Cognitive learning theory psychology

• follow up with your doctor. Your doctor will want to see you again in a few weeks to see if the treatment is working. It is important that you schedule a follow-up visit and go to the appointment, whether you are feeling better or not.Cognitive learning theory psychology if you aren’t feeling better, your doctor may have other ideas on ways to treat you. This could include changing your medicine, adding another medicine, or recommending other courses of action.Cognitive learning theory psychology

• be patient. It is important that you are patient with yourself and with your doctor through this process. You might have to try different medicines or a combination of medicines.Cognitive learning theory psychology you might need talk therapy and a mix of self-care strategies. It can take time to find the right treatment plan for you. Just don’t give up.Cognitive learning theory psychology you will feel better as long as you keep trying to find a solution.

Having trouble with your mental health can affect you in many ways. It can make everything seem more difficult, and you might have trouble trying to get help.Cognitive learning theory psychology it can also affect your memory and concentration. That can make it more difficult to talk to your doctor and remember what he or she said. That’s why it’s important for you to write things down before you go into your appointment.Cognitive learning theory psychology it may also be a good idea to write down what your doctor says during the appointment so you don’t forget it later. Or bring a friend or family member to the appointment with you.Cognitive learning theory psychology you might have to take steps that you normally wouldn’t. You might have to ask other people to help you get the help you need. That is okay.Cognitive learning theory psychology the most important thing is that you get help.