Dealing with mental illness is never easy, but the type of treatment you need depends on your particular diagnosis and this is why that is always the first step to take. If you are trying to cope with mental illness on any level from mild to profound, there is a treatment plan that is best suited to your needs. Perhaps the best way to look at it is to first discuss those levels mentioned above.
Mild, Moderate, Severe and Profound Diagnoses
Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness and this particular diagnosis falls into classifications of mild, moderate, or severe. Mild levels of depression can often be treated with medication, outpatient counseling or a combination of the two. There isn’t usually a need for inpatient treatment or any intensive therapy but when that diagnosis is one of a major depressive order, treatment plans become more aggressive.
Unless you are unable to function socially or in an occupational setting, you would probably not be referred to an inpatient facility. This is the level in which an Intensive Outpatient program would probably best suit your needs. You can ask your therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist where the nearest programs like this are in relation to where you live. Another option may be to Google ‘IOP programs near me’ and then allow Google to fix on your location.
The Benefit of Knowing You Need Help
Typically, we associate an inability to recognize the signs of psychiatric disorders as being profound, but that isn’t always the case. Some of the mild to moderate levels of dysfunction are masked by our ability to live and work well among others. Periodic bouts of depression may temporarily hinder our performance on the job or keep us isolated from friends and loved ones, but these instances are short and infrequent. Yes, they still need to be addressed but they aren’t severe enough to be hospitalized or set up in an Intensive Outpatient treatment program. The good thing is that you know you are suffering and, therefore, have the ability to seek the help you need.
Being Realistic About the Type of Treatment You Need
Somehow there is often this grey area between knowing you need help and admitting to the level of help you need. Think of what many people refer to as a functional alcoholic. These sufferers of addiction can live and work among you but withhold that alcohol or other substance from them and see how serious the withdrawal can be. This is an analogy of the level of mental illness that would benefit from an Intensive Outpatient Program. While you may not need a residential setting because you can maintain a lifestyle with minimal help, you need something more than weekly counseling sessions and medication for your specific diagnosis, or the degree of severity of a psychiatric disorder.
These programs are best suited for those with moderate to severe diagnoses and will enable you to live in your own home while getting individual and group therapy. The first thing to do is get an accurate assessment to ascertain the level of your illness and from there a personalized treatment plan can be made for you. Remember, there is help available but it won’t do you much good if you don’t seek it. Get help today so that you can live a healthier and happier tomorrow.
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