Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t feel heard at your primary care doctor’s visit? Or you left the office feeling that there was unfinished business to discuss? If you answered yes, I am with you! I’ve been there many times, and many of the patients that I work with have too.
I’m a mental health professional working with people who have symptoms of anxiety and depression; I also recognize that symptoms of anxiety and depression aren’t separate from a patients physical health. Instead of focusing on working with my patients one-on-one, I realized that working with them as a team with their doctors and nurses in their primary care setting is a better way to meet their needs.
care physician to work with a behavioral health consultant to fully address your healthcare needs. Sometimes, your doctor might refer you to a mental health provider, which causes you to have to go through the process of “starting over” to address your mental health needs. But, what about if you were able to have your needs met all in the same location? This link will give you more information about integrated care. I also leave you with three key points to begin working with your doctor to produce better health results:
1. Life stressors are inevitable
We all deal with stress in our lives and sometimes don’t recognize that our headaches or lack of sleep can be more of a behavioral issue than a medical issue. Understanding that this is normal can alleviate some concerns when managing symptoms of fatigue, headaches, aches and pains. Speaking with your doctor about this holistically might allow you to adjust some practices at home that do not rely solely on medication for change.
2. Perspectives can shift
Occasionally, shifting the way we look at our problems can provide a better solution for us. We may not recognize that our daily routine impacts our nightly mood. If sleep is a problem, for example, and over-the-counter sleep aids aren’t working, maybe looking at altering your daytime or nighttime routine. For example, downtime during the day, mindful breaks, or moving your body may help set the tone for relaxation and sleepiness for your nighttime regime.
3. Working as a team
We may not always understand the roles of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, or therapists, but it is important to learn. Conversation with your doctor about these roles can help you devise a healing plan for you to manage those stressful situations that will continue to occur throughout your lifetime.
Hopefully, these tips are helpful to get you started with finding the best care for you. You may also find this video on integrate care useful.
NRJiggetts
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Replay Counseling and Consulting 