Mental health goes beyond the absence of mental disorders
Apart from not having a mental disorder, mental health translates into a psychic, emotional and cognitive well-being that allows people to face life's trials without difficulty and to develop fully on a daily basis.
By practicing regular physical activity, having a rich social life and developing one's spirituality, it is possible to improve one's mental health and find an emotional and psychological balance that allows one to feel fulfilled.
However, different circumstances can lead to the appearance of psychological disorders, often non-pathological and intermittent, such as difficulties sleeping or controlling one's emotions.
According to the WHO, one person in three will suffer from mental health problems (more or less serious) during his or her lifetime.
Types of mental illness
Mental illness manifests itself as changes in a person's thinking, mood or behaviour that cause distress or suffering.
There are several forms of mental illness such as :
No matter what form your problem takes, if you are experiencing distress and are starting to have difficulty carrying out your daily activities, don't wait to seek help from a professional.
Who should you consult a specialist if you have a mental health problem?
Do you suffer from a mental imbalance, a malaise or a mental health problem and you don't know who to consult? You can start by making an appointment with a general practitioner so that he or she can refer you to the most suitable professional.
If you wish, you can also choose to consult directly with a psychologist, psychiatrist or other type of therapist.
Pyschiatrists and psychologists
Both the psychiatrist and the psychologist are mental health specialists, but only the former is a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry. As a physician, the psychiatrist is therefore able to issue prescriptions and work stoppages.
A psychiatrist may be a general practitioner or a specialist in a discipline such as child psychiatry, gerontopsychiatry, or marital psychiatry.
A psychologist, on the other hand, is a professional who has studied psychology. They do not prescribe medication, work stoppage, or additional tests, but they can refer you to a psychiatrist if they discover symptoms that go beyond their expertise.
Complementary therapists
By definition, a therapist is a professional who treats patients with therapy. He or she is not a doctor but a companion.
There are different types of therapists addressing a large number of pathologies and disorders, both physical and psychological:
- Physiotherapist
- Psychotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Aromatherapist
- Phytotherapist
- Hypnotherapist
These therapists are generally associated with other professionals practicing in the field of alternative medicine such as naturopathy, sophrology, meditation, acupuncture, reflexology, or homeopathy.
Integrative medicine, a holistic approach to health care
In the United States and in more and more countries around the world, conventional Western medicine is increasingly associated with different therapeutic approaches such as acupuncture, hypnosis, homeopathy, or naturopathy. The idea here is to treat the globality of individuals, taking into account both the physical symptoms and the psychic and energetic component of each patient.
This integrative approach to medicine seems to be bearing fruit, especially in cases of chronic diseases or mental disorders, and more and more doctors are choosing to integrate complementary therapies to more conventional medical treatments.
At Turó Park Clinics, we have chosen to integrate "scientific" Western medicine, natural medicines such as acupuncture and lifestyle therapies such as sports, stress management therapies, nutrition and life coaching in order to offer each of our patients personalized and effective solutions.
