Mental Health

What Causes Mental Health Concerns?

Mental health disorders can be sourced biologically, physiologically, and socially. Conventional treatment will “disguise” the disorder with a combination of medications that will mask symptoms with a false perception of treatment. The brain’s tolerance to the medication will increase with use, triggering symptoms to recur. These medications are highly addictive and abused because the cause was not identified. Never go “cold turkey” with any medications; work with your prescribing physician to meet your health goals.

What are Mental Health Concerns?

Stress

Stress is the leading cause of health problems, anxiety, and depression. We are continuously exposed to stressors, whether they’re related to work, family, relationships, or our environment. A stressor triggers a release of hormones initiating a response from both mind and body to be on high alert. This is commonly called the flight or fight response.

We all have different approaches to self-regulating this response, allowing us to relax back to our normal state. However, the inability to handle these stressors, leaving us on high alert, will negatively affect our physical and emotional health. Unresolved stress can alter the pathways that help our brain maintain normal function and balance. Unfortunately, many of us do not recognize stress as the culprit of our body, mood, and behavior.

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Anxiety

Anxiety or worry is a natural response experienced from childhood through adulthood. If you are finding yourself feeling anxious without reason or anxiety is affecting your quality of life, it can be a sign of anxiety disorder.

Anxiety can be defined as a mental health disorder described by feelings of worry, anxiousness, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily tasks and participation in social interactions. An indication of anxiety may be experiencing increased stress that is out of proportion to the event’s impact and difficulty setting aside the worry.

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Common Effects of Stress

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Obesity
  • Heart Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Substance Abuse
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Social Withdrawal
  • Excessive Sweating

Common Effects of Anxiety

  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Feeling Tense or on Edge
  • Poor Concentration
  • Racing Thoughts
  • Lack of Motivation
  • Headaches
  • Muscle Tension
  • Jaw Pain
  • Insomnia
  • Dry Mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Chest Tightness
  • Indigestion
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloating
  • Abnormal Heartbeat
  • Excessive Sweating

Depression​

Depression disorder is more than just feeling unhappy. When you have depression it is a persistent, intense feeling of sadness and loss of interest in experiencing enjoyment. Depression, like anxiety, affects all ages with an increased prevalence with age. Depression is approximately 50% more prevalent in women than men. Ten percent of the US population experiences depression severe enough to necessitate medical attention. Depression can lead to a range of different behavioral and physical symptoms.

Common Effects of Depression

Apathy

Anxiety

Anger

Excessive Crying

Restlessness

Lack of Energy

Lack of Motivation

Change in Sleep Cycle:
Insomnia or Excessive Sleeping

Change in Appetite:
Increased or Decreased

Change in Weight: Gain or Loss

Social Isolation

Suicidal Thoughts

Naturopathic Approach to Mental Health

Naturopathic physicians focus on the patient as a whole—mind, body, and spirit. Addressing the root cause is the key to prevention and treatment. Treatment evaluates your individual stress levels, diet, and lifestyle and focuses on reducing possible causes and learning prevention.

When one properly begins detoxification and cleansing of the mind and body, health will begin to restore its balanced, functional state.