5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Mental Health

Ashamed. Embarrassed. Afraid. All too often, these emotions stop people from sharing their mental health concerns with a doctor.

But living a full, productive life depends on more than just what you think of as “physical” health. Mental health matters just as much. Unfortunately, mental illness still comes with stigma in our society.

Here’s my message to you: Tell your doctor if you are having any signs or symptoms of mental illness. Whether you face common issues such as anxiety or depression or more rare conditions such as schizophrenia, your doctor can help you create a care plan or refer you to a specialist.

Start by being honest. Your doctor’s office is a safe place to share your fears, and there are plenty of reasons to take mental health seriously.

1. Mental illness is more common than you think

Although disorders range in severity, around one in six Americans suffer from some type of mental health condition in any given year. Unfortunately, too many don’t seek help.

2. Mental illness affects your physical health

It’s easy to think of mental health as separate from physical health — but your brain is part of your body. Mental illness is the root cause of many physical symptoms. For example, if you’re suffering from insomnia, heart palpitations or fatigue, your doctor will want to rule out depression, anxiety or other mental conditions as a potential cause. To highlight the severity, the American Heart Association released a statement in recent years recommending that depression be considered a risk factor for poor outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

3. Diseases or injuries can increase your risk

Just as mental illness can cause symptoms throughout your body, other conditions can raise your risk of mental illness. That’s true of chronic diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s epilepsy and more. It’s also true of trauma, such as head injuries. The good news: Doctors are becoming more aware of these connections and watching out for them in patients.

4. Early detection makes a difference

As with most medical conditions, early diagnosis usually leads to better outcomes. For one thing, getting the help you need soon can help you prevent the symptoms of mental illness from getting worse. For another, treatment can help you avoid the negative effects those symptoms have on your life — from strained relationships to difficulty managing work and finances.

5. It runs in families

Your family health history helps predict your risk for mental illness. Because mental illness can run in families, be sure you include it along with information about heart disease, cancer and other conditions.

SOURCE: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-reasons-you-shouldnt-ignore-your-mental-health-2/

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

Dear Patients:

Our patients, employees and family are our top priority at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

We ask you to not visit any of our locations if you have symptoms such as fever, sneezing, coughing and possible shortness of breath.

Please cancel your appointment and re-schedule once you are feeling better and are no longer suffering with symptoms.

Only non-symptomatic patients will be seen. No exceptions.

Accompanying family members – including children – are asked to remain in the waiting area and will not be allowed to enter the exam rooms.

During this time of high concern regarding the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we are taking extra precautions to maintain the highest possible standards of safety and cleanliness. Please be advised that we are carefully following recommendations from both the CDC and WHO and are here to help guide you through this time if needed.

Some steps we are taking to keeping safe:

We know how important cleanliness is and always maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. To further offer you peace of mind, we have increased the frequency of the cleaning of our office.

Rest assured that hand washing is strictly followed. Hand sanitizer is available to all staff and patients.

Additionally, if you have recently traveled to a country with high rates of the coronavirus or have been on a cruise, please reschedule your visit for at least 14 days from your return date. We will gladly accommodate your needs to reschedule. At that time, a telehealth interface can be arranged if necessary.

Find up-to-date and accurate information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and feel free to reach out with questions.

- Your team at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

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To learn more about Long Island Spine Specialists – and to discover how we can relieve your pain and help you find an improved quality of life – please contact our office today and schedule a consultation.