Why Is Mental Health Important?

Before getting into the specifics of mental health professionals, consider the reasons to seek this type of care in the first place. There are a lot of facets that go into your mental health, including your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Issues with mental health can affect people of any age, and the effects can be quite serious if left untreated.

Types of Mental Health Providers

There are a number of different types of mental health providers, and the best fit will depend on the specific symptoms or concerns that an individual has:

  • Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in mental health. They can diagnose and treat mental health disorders, provide psychotherapy, and prescribe medications.
  • Psychologist: Psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology. They can diagnose and treat mental health disorders and provide psychological counseling, but they cannot prescribe medication.
  • Psychiatric mental health nurse: Also known as PMHNs, these professionals are registered nurses with specialized training in mental health. They can diagnose and treat most mental illnesses, depending on their specific level of training and state laws.
  • Licensed clinical social worker: An LCSW with training and experience in mental health can assess mental health conditions and provide counseling.
  • Licensed professional counselor: An LPC can provide diagnoses and counseling for a variety of mental health concerns.

Diagnosis of ADHD

People who think they may have ADHD typically need to visit one of the mental health providers described above to get a diagnosis. For example, most children see a psychiatrist or psychologist when being screened for ADHD.

If you’re seeking an ADHD assessment and think you may be diagnosed with this disorder, it’s important to make sure that you see a licensed clinician with the expertise to differentiate possible ADHD symptoms from those which may stem from another disorder or health issues, such as autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, or depression.

Mental Health and ADHD

It’s important to note that ADHD isn’t a mental illness — it’s a neurological disorder that involves developmental impairment in certain areas of the brain. However, many people with ADHD suffer from a co-occurring mental health issue. For example:

  • 47% of adults with ADHD also have depression, and 53% have anxiety
  • 14% of children with ADHD also have depression, and 30% have anxiety

There are also some overlapping symptoms which can apply to ADHD or a mental health condition. For example, problems with planning and organizing and feelings of restlessness can be associated with both anxiety and ADHD.

Experienced mental health providers will be able to help people who have a mental illness in addition to ADHD. Both conditions can be treated effectively through therapy and medication, but it’s important to have close monitoring from a mental health professional who can adjust dosages and offer other support as needed.

Not sure where to turn when searching for mental health care? Done can help if you’re interested in ADHD screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Our team of licensed ADHD clinicians offers same-day or next-day appointments as well as ongoing 24/7 care and worry-free medication refills. Reach out today to get the mental health care that you deserve.

 

Resources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health-providers/art-20045530

https://chadd.org/adhd-weekly/co-occurring-mental-health-conditions-are-common/