Mental & Behavioral Health

It’s been very difficult at times to be able to classify mental health disorders, especially when trying to describe it in a particular fashion. Would a particular disorder fall more along the lines of a mental health issue? Or would it be classified as a behavioral health disorder? What if it falls in between the two? Ultimately, this has led to some confusing terminology at times, but most have ultimately decided to use the term “behavioral health”, as “mental health” still has some negative connotations.

However, at Palms Behavioral Health in Harlingen TX, the main focus remains caring for and helping our patients get the help they need to get better. We are one of the leaders in the treatment of multiple types of behavioral health issues, as well as psychiatric health problems. Naming issues aside, we are aware and sensitive to the mental health stigmas that still pervade our society even to this day; we believe that knowledge is power, which can ultimately help alleviate any confusion in the classification of these issues.

Mental Health

When we talk about mental health disorders and diseases, we are essentially referring to the biological or neurological issues that a person is born with. To prevent these issues from interfering on a daily basis, as well as helping to optimize one’s ability to function , most individuals seek specific mental health treatments in order to manage these ongoing personal challenges.

When seeking out treatment for these types of mental health issues, generally psychological therapy, medication, and in many cases, a combination of the two is applied.

Below is a list of examples related to the field of Mental Health:

Addictions
Autism
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Addictions: Alcohol And Substance Abuse
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Conversion Disorders
Depression: Major Depression & Unipolar Varieties
Childhood Mental Disorders And Illnesses
Eating Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Impulse Control Disorders
Internet Addiction And Media Issues
Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
Personality Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Schizophrenia
Sexual Disorders
Suicide
Tourette’s and Other Tic Disorders

Behavioral Health

The experts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) state that the term “Behavioral Health” is classified as “a state of mental/emotional being and/or choices and actions that affect wellness. Behavioral health disorders include substance abuse or misuse, alcohol and drug addiction, serious psychological distress, suicide, and mental and substance use disorders.”

So when we talk about conditions that fall under the classification of Behavioral Health, we really are talking about the personal decisions that an individual makes that may damage or harm themselves or others. The decision-making process and rationalization of these actions can be prompted by significant life events such as getting injured in a car accident, losing the life of a family member or friend, getting made fun of in social situations, or another event that results in a person having a hard time managing their feelings and emotions on a daily basis.

A person struggling with his or her behavioral health may encounter:

Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Relationship problems
Grief
Addiction
Mood disorders
Other psychological concerns

While the debate may carry on as whether to classify a particular disorder or disease as mental health or behavioral health, at Palms Behavioral Health in Harlingen, TX, we focus on the most important aspect: recovery and eradication of these issues.