Beyond Talk Therapy: Other Treatments For Adult Mental Health

If you go to "see someone" about your mental health, the assumption is often that you're going to participate in talk therapy. Indeed, various forms of talk therapy can be helpful in managing mental health disorders. However, this is not the only treatment for mental health concerns in adults. Here are some other treatments that may be recommended to you, depending on the nature of your condition.

Prescription Medications

People are often resistant to taking medications for their mental health. But sometimes, these medications really are necessary. A lot of mental health problems are caused or made worse by imbalances in brain chemistry, and medications can work to re-balance that chemistry. For example, low serotonin levels can lead to depression, and medications to correct serotonin levels can ease that depression. If your doctor recommends medication, it is worth giving this approach a try. You may find it far more helpful than you'd think.

Support Groups

Sometimes, your doctor may feel it's important for you to develop a sense of camaraderie and seek support from peers. Support groups can provide this. They are generally led by a therapist. In such a group, you'll typically share about your condition and concerns and listen to and help others as they share. This can be a really helpful approach for patients suffering from addiction or eating disorders. Often, simply learning that you are not alone with your struggles can help you find your way to recovery.

TMS Therapy

TMS therapy is a treatment that involves putting a special, magnetic cap on the head. The cap creates a magnetic field, which extends into your head. This treatment sounds and looks a little scary, but it's actually very safe. You should not feel any pain during the treatment, although some patients have minor headaches afterward. Even a single TMS session can be really helpful for depression, anxiety, and some forms of OCD.

EDMR Therapy

EDMR therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, is a special type of treatment for PTSD. Note that PTSD is more common in adults than you might think. It does not only occur in soldiers; it's a common response to trauma. This treatment focuses on analyzing and altering your eye movement in response to stimuli. Over time, it helps diminish the reaction to certain "triggers." 

If you're struggling with your mental health, your doctor may recommend talk therapy. However, they may also recommend one or more of these other treatments. Every patient requires and deserves an individualized approach.

Contact a clinic like Family Center for Recovery to learn more.