Are you facing a medical problem that you feel requires more specialized service than your family medicine doctor can provide? If so, you are not alone. Thousands of people just like you are wondering where to turn for illnesses like depression, addiction, and anxiety. There is nothing wrong with visiting your family medicine doctor first to see where they might recommend you go next so that you can save yourself some time searching, but the fact that you are asking for help at all is a huge step in your recovery. Below are three of the most common reasons people are looking for help today from someone other than a standard family medicine doctor and a few statements about each one:
Depression – So many people around the world struggle with depression every single day and most of them never seek out the professional health that they need. For some people that is due to pride or fear of embarrassment, while for others it is just a simple misunderstanding of the symptoms they are feeling. Some common symptoms of depression are: trouble sleeping, apathetic attitudes towards life events, loss of appetite, and more. While a family medicine doctor can absolutely help you navigate whether or not you may be experiencing those symptoms, you may also want to meet with a mental health professional to seek advice as well.
Addiction – Every day more than 5,000 patients visit emergency rooms across the country because of drug abuse. Pain management and addiction doctors can be incredibly useful in these types of situation and may end up recommending rehab detox centers for the right candidates. If you or someone you know is dealing with addiction and you aren’t sure how to handle the situation, don’t wait until it is too late. Seek help from a professional today.
Anxiety – Did you know that the most common mental illness in the United States today is anxiety disorders? Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults over the age of eighteen which is nearly 20 percent of the entire population. There are varying degrees of anxiety disorders that require different types and amounts of therapy and medication, but the good news is that for the most part, anxiety disorders are treatable. Much like dealing with depression, if you want to check with your family medicine doctor for a referral in this area it is a good place to start.
If you are struggling with depression, addiction, or anxiety disorder and you have not talked to someone about it yet, there’s no use wasting time. Taking the first step is often the hardest part about the process, but finding help is crucial to taking care of yourself. If you aren’t sure where to start looking for a mental health professional or an addiction doctor, make an appointment with your family medicine doctor and just start there. Talk to them honestly about how you are feeling and rest assured that they will point you in the right direction.
