Helping Young Adults With Mental Health

Young adults have a lot going on in their lives, as these years can be a time of significant growth and self-discovery. Unfortunately, it can also be a time when coping with mental health issues can be a struggle. However, it’s important to realize that these mental health struggles are common, and there are avenues to treat and alleviate conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and more. In this blog post, we’ll talk about how young adults can get treatment for mental health and get on a healthier, happier path.

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A Brief Introduction

It’s easy to recognize when you have a physical ailment, but mental health issues can often go ignored or undiagnosed. However, it’s important to remember that mental health is just as important to your overall happiness and well-being. Young adults are subjected to numerous stressors and challenges, and they can impact their mental health. By prioritizing mental health and knowing what to look for, you can get the treatment you need and ensure you’re feeling your best, both mentally and physically.

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The Importance of Prioritizing Mental Health in Young Adults

While there have been great strides in recent years in normalizing talking about and treating mental health, there can sometimes still be a stigma surrounding mental health struggles. It can also be easy for young adults to brush off these struggles as something other than what they are. However, it’s important to recognize that struggling with mental health issues isn’t a sign of weakness and that prioritizing your mental health is normal and important.

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When young adults avoid addressing mental health disorders, it can lead to various other negative health outcomes such as additional stress, decreased academic and work performance, substance abuse, difficulty maintaining relationships and more.

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When we prioritize our mental health, it means we recognize it’s an integral part of our overall well-being. It also means that it’s okay to acknowledge that seeking help when we are struggling is the best path to living a more balanced life.

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Common Mental Health Issues Young Adults Face

Now that we know how important it is to prioritize mental health let’s take a look at some of the most common mental health issues young adults are facing today.

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Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions. It can be characterized as excessive worry or fear about everyday situations. These feelings can sometimes overwhelm and interfere with an individual’s daily life. Common symptoms of anxiety include restlessness, irritability, faster breathing, increased heart rate, sweating, trouble sleeping and more.

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Anxiety can be managed through treatment options such as therapy, medication and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes may include exercise, healthy eating and stress management.

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As with many mental health conditions, anxiety symptoms can be managed and treated. The first step is seeking professional help so you can get your symptoms under control and live a more balanced life.

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Depression

Depression is another common mental health issue for young adults. Depression is typically characterized by a persistent feeling of hopelessness or worthlessness. Symptoms of depression may include loss of interest in activities, change in appetite, difficulty sleeping and fatigue. Severe depression can also lead to suicidal thoughts. Depression can affect relationships, academics, work and other areas of everyday life.

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Similar to anxiety, treatment for depression may include therapy, medication and lifestyle changes. It’s important to seek help with depression as soon as possible, especially if you’re having thoughts of suicide.

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ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health condition that affects many young adults. It is characterized by difficulties in paying attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. People with ADHD often struggle with managing time, organizing tasks and completing projects. 

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While ADHD is typically a lifelong condition, the symptoms can be managed and individuals with ADHD can go on to live successful, happy and fulfilling lives. Treatment for ADHD may include a mix of therapy, medication and lifestyle changes.

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For those struggling with ADHD, or any mental health condition for that matter, it can be helpful to seek out a supportive community. Connecting with others who share similar experiences can help to alleviate feelings of isolation and provide encouragement.

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Others

While anxiety, depression and ADHD are some of the most common mental health issues for young adults, they are far from the only mental health issues. Other conditions young adults may experience that can be treated by providers with Circle Medical include obsessive-compulsive disorder or sleep disorders. If you’re experiencing symptoms of any mental health disorder, it’s important to seek proper treatment and support. Leaving mental health conditions untreated can lead to more severe negative outcomes and living with these conditions untreated can lead to a lesser quality of life.

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Seeking Professional Help: Online Doctors and Telemedicine

If you’re a young adult struggling with mental health issues, it’s important to seek professional health. Fortunately, telemedicine has made it easier than ever to receive online care for mental health issues and other conditions without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.

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Telemedicine is a healthcare model that allows patients to connect with health care providers through virtual clinics, typically over the phone or through a video connection. It can be especially helpful for those struggling with mental health issues who find it difficult to seek out care in person or those who don’t have easy access to quality mental health services.

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Online clinics are also incredibly convenient. Instead of interrupting your work or school life, you can make your appointments on your schedule. You can also have a more comfortable environment to talk to your provider about your mental health issues. Plus, you don’t have to commute to an in-person clinic, wait in a waiting room or deal with the other inconveniences that sometimes accompany in-person care.

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Treatment Options

Once you connect with a primary care provider to address your mental health issues, they will conduct a medical examination and provide a diagnosis. From there, they will create a treatment plan to address your symptoms. Here are some of the common paths for treatment they may recommend:

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• Therapy — Therapy is often one of the first avenues for treatment, as it can lead to positive mental health outcomes. Therapy can help individuals address underlying issues, talk about their symptoms productively and develop coping strategies to manage their mental health. Therapy can also be held virtually if that’s what you prefer.
• Medication — If your primary care provider determines it’s medically appropriate, they may prescribe medication for your mental health issues. However, it’s important to remember that prescription medication should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional, so they can monitor your dosage and your progress.
• Lifestyle changes — Lifestyle changes can help alleviate numerous mental health symptoms and provide a better quality of life overall. Your health care provider may recommend lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, eating a more balanced diet or making sure you’re getting a healthy amount of sleep each night.
• Self-care — Practicing self-care is essential for managing your mental health. Self-care activities may include meditation, yoga, doing something that relaxes you, seeking out a support network and more.

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Remember, mental health treatment is a journey, and it’s not always a one-size-fits-all solution. Your primary care provider can work with you to find the best combination of treatment options to help you live a happier and healthier life.

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Tips To Build a Supportive Network

As mentioned, building a support network can be incredibly helpful when you’re addressing mental health issues. It will help you realize you aren’t alone in your struggles and will help you cope on your journey to better mental health. Here are some tips for building a supportive network:

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• Open up to family and friends — If you’re comfortable sharing your condition, it can help to open up to your family and friends. They can be a trusted ear to talk through some of your feelings. This is especially the case if your family or friends have dealt with mental health struggles of their own, as they can relate to you and talk about their own experiences to give you some additional perspective.
• Join a support group — You can find both online and offline support groups and forums that focus on specific mental health conditions. This can provide you with people to talk to that are going through, or have gone through, similar experiences. This can help you feel less isolated and more understood as you work toward improving your mental health.

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Make self-care a priority — Remember to prioritize self-care throughout this process. Give yourself space and acknowledge that sometimes you need a break where you can just relax and do something you enjoy. Taking care of yourself will help you maintain your connections with your support network and give you a more balanced lifestyle overall.

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Book an appointment with a Circle Medical telehealth provider today!

If you’re interested in online primary care for your mental health issues, Circle Medical is here to help. Circle Medical is a virtual clinic that connects you to board-certified primary care providers qualified to diagnose and treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD and more. Best of all, we offer same-day appointments so you can get started sooner than later. Book your same-day appointment today!