Mental Health

At some point in their lives, nearly 1 in 5 Americans suffer from some form of mental illness. From anxiety and depression to ADHD, sleep disorders, and more, mental illnesses take a devastating toll on millions of people. At Laracuente HealthCare Associates in Hallandale Beach, Florida, Fernando A. Laracuente, EdD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, NP-C, and the team use the right mix of counseling and medical intervention to restore your mental health and help you lead a happy, productive life. Call the office or request a mental health consultation online today.

What is mental health?

Good mental health depends on a delicate balance of psychological, emotional, and social factors. When these components are in sync, you feel a sense of well-being that helps you navigate the demands, stresses, and disappointments of life.

While it’s normal to feel blue sometimes, ongoing negative emotions can mark the onset of mental illness.

What are the symptoms of mental illness?

If you continually experience any of these symptoms, contact Laracuente HealthCare Associates for an evaluation:

• Anxiety, fearfulness, or worry
• Confused or muddy thinking, or an inability to concentrate
• Difficulty relating to other people
• Overwhelming feelings of sadness or guilt
• Insomnia
• Feeling overwhelmed by daily problems and stresses
• Suicidal thoughts
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Withdrawal from friends and activities

What causes mental illness?

Mental illnesses arise from a complex web of factors and influences and can’t be narrowed to a single source. Some commonly seen causes include:

• Abusing alcohol and other drugs
• Genetic traits that disrupt the neurochemical balance in the brain
• Childhood trauma
• Social isolation and loneliness

You should consider seeking treatment for a mental illness when it affects your quality of life. 

What are the different kinds of mental illness?

Although there are hundreds of different disorders, only a handful of mental illnesses are widespread. Dr. Laracuente specializes in treating these common disorders:

• Attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Sleep disorders

If your disorder falls outside the scope of his practice, Dr. Laracuente can refer you to a qualified mental health specialist.

How does mental illness impact my overall health?

Apart from affecting your mood, behavior, and ability to think, mental illness can hurt your physical health. This is especially true of depression, which has been linked to the development of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

How is mental illness diagnosed?

When you come in for your consultation with Laracuente HealthCare Associates, Dr. Laracuente performs a physical exam and orders lab tests to rule out issues with your thyroid gland or other problems that mimic the symptoms of mental illness. Then, he talks with you about your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and symptoms.

What treatments are available to restore my mental health?

Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Laracuente creates a treatment plan that could include counseling and guidance, a referral for psychotherapy, and prescriptions for psychiatric medicines like antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, or antipsychotic medications.

Good mental health is key to a fulfilling and productive life. If you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, the Laracuente HealthCare Associates team can help you manage symptoms and achieve optimal mental health. Call the office or book an appointment online today.