“I have a mental condition, now what?” Myths, Beliefs, and Modern Treatments

Written and reviewed by:
Yinflow.Life
Published in:
Sep 10, 2024

Picture yourself in a doctor's office, your heart racing, your hands sweaty. The doctor just uttered the words you were most afraid to hear: “You have a mental health condition and need treatment.”

At this moment, an avalanche of thoughts and emotions takes hold. “What do I do now? Will my life change forever? Is there a cure?”

If you're experiencing this, know that you're not alone.

According to the World Health Organization, about a billion people in the world are faced with some kind of mental disorder.

In Brazil, the situation is particularly alarming. The Global Report “Mental State in the World 2022" ranked the country with the 3rd worst mental health index in the world.

In addition, the WHO had already identified Brazil as the most anxious country in the world in 2019, in addition to being among the leaders in cases of depression.

Faced with all these challenges, we created this guide to welcome you, demystify common beliefs and present modern solutions for conditions such as anxiety, depression, Burnout Syndrome, chronic stress, chronic pain, ADHD symptoms, and insomnia.

Syndrome, disorder, illness, and disorder: What's the difference?

First of all, when we talk about conditions that affect mental health, several different terms come up that can confuse. To make it easier, we've put together a simple explanatory table to help you understand what each one of them means:

Classificação
Síndrome
*Transtorno
Doença
Distúrbio
Definição
Um conjunto de sinais e sintomas.
Disfunção ou desequilíbrio físico, psicológico ou comportamental.
Condição patológica que pode afetar um órgão, sistema ou organismo como um todo.
Desregulação no funcionamento de processos fisiológicos ou comportamentais.
Causa
Múltiplas causas.
Múltiplas causas.
Causa identificável que geralmente está associada a fatores anatômicos ou fisiológicos.
Múltiplas causas.
Exemplo
Síndrome de Burnout.
Transtorno de Ansiedade Generalizada, TDAH, Transtorno Bipolar.
Gripe, Câncer, Diabetes.
Insônia (Distúrbio do sono), Ansiedade (Distúrbio de ansiedade), Estresse crônico, Dor Crônica.

*Many disorders, especially those of a mental nature, may involve a combination of biological factors (such as chemical imbalances in the brain) and environmental factors (such as the social, emotional, and psychological context in which the person lives). This is why it is difficult, in many cases, to accurately determine the unique origin of the symptoms.

For this reason, multidisciplinary treatment is highly recommended. This approach involves professionals from different fields, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and sometimes social workers and nutritionists, depending on the case. This ensures that the treatment is more holistic and addresses both the biological aspects and the social and environmental interactions that may influence the disorder.

Myths and Truths about Mental Health Treatments

1 - “Do psychiatric medications leave people harmed?”

Myth! It's common to hear that psychiatric medications turn people into “zombies” or leave them unable to socialize.

In reality, modern medications today are carefully developed to improve quality of life, alleviating symptoms without compromising daily functioning.

In addition, with appropriate medical follow-up, side effects can be managed and minimized. The goal is to make you feel better, not worse. Many people report a feeling of “coming back to themselves” after starting appropriate treatment.

2 - “Am I going to take medicine forever?”

Not necessarily. The length of drug treatment varies from person to person and depends on several factors, such as the type of disorder and individual response to medication.

In many cases, the use of medications is a temporary solution, a support while you develop other coping strategies.

With constant monitoring and multidisciplinary treatment, your doctor can assess the right time to reduce or even suspend the use of medications, always in a safe and gradual manner.

3 - “Is all therapy the same?”

Many believe that all therapies follow the same pattern, but that's not true.

There are several therapeutic modalities, each with different methods and purposes. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a modern modality focused on changing dysfunctional thought patterns in a practical and direct way, providing perceptible results in the short term compared to conventional therapies.

So not all therapy involves lengthy monologues or only long-term results.

Multidisciplinary treatment: Discover modern options to return to balance

Fortunately, treatments for mental health conditions have adapted a lot in recent years. Currently, there are several effective and personalized options to help those who suffer from anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other conditions.

Here are some of the modern approaches, which are generally within a humanized, personalized, and multidisciplinary treatment plan:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focused on identifying thought and behavior patterns that contribute to mental conditions, offering visible results in a short period of time.
  • Occupational Therapy (OT): It helps you develop skills to face the challenges of everyday life, promoting autonomy and confidence not only to manage your routines, but also to discover new ways to achieve what you want and plan.
  • Person-Centered Care: Aiming to treat body and mind together, this practice may include combining medications, therapies, and complementary approaches, promoting a more effective recovery.
  • Medical Cannabis: It stands out for relieving symptoms associated with anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain effectively, with few side effects, when supervised by a specialist doctor. To go deeper, read our guide Cannabidiol (CBD) in Brazil: What Does History, Science, and Law Say?

Do you want to try a CBT or OT session without obligation? Click here to learn more!

The importance of clinical follow-up

Humanized medical follow-up is essential to ensure that treatment is working as well as possible for the patient.

A professional who understands the patient's emotional and physical needs can adjust treatment as needed, alleviating concerns and monitoring progress more closely.

Yinflow.Life takes this approach, offering care focused on the patient as a whole, and not just on their medical condition.

Yinflow.Life: a different way to recover your mental health

What to expect at your first appointment with Yinflow.Life

At Yinflow.Life, the first consultation is a very important moment to understand yourself, your personal challenges, and your current condition.

The doctors on the platform offer active and welcoming listening, seeking not only to treat the symptoms but also to understand the cause of the condition. This approach is fundamental, as it allows treatment to be more effective and targeted.

In addition, the treatment is integrative and multidisciplinary, combining modern and conventional therapies with complementary approaches to promote effective recovery.

Each patient is viewed in a unique way, ensuring a personalized and flexible treatment plan that adapts to their specific needs. That is to say, you won't just be another number, but someone who gets individualized attention.

Mental well-being may seem to be a long way off, but don't be discouraged! With the right support, you can find your way to a more balanced and healthy life.

Be sure to take the first step toward your recovery. Schedule your first consultation on Yinflow.Life and start taking care of your mental health with a dedicated and specialized team:

Talk to a doctor online to learn about modern treatments and to see if CBD is an option for you.
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