What to Do If You Are Diagnosed with a Mental Health Disorder

By John Levi

Being diagnosed with a mental health disorder can bring a range of emotions. You may feel relieved about finally being able to put a name on a problem you have been dealing with or find it difficult to accept. You can also feel angry or fearful. Whatever your reaction may be, know that with proper help, you can recover and still enjoy living a meaningful life. Although you may encounter challenges, mental illnesses are manageable and there are several things you can do to ensure you have a successful treatment.

Remain Hopeful

After going through the initial shock of getting your diagnosis, do your best to keep an open mind. This way, it will be easier to accept your condition and allow you to think clearly about your next steps. If you can, have a positive mindset as this can be helpful during your treatment. Remember, you are not alone in this. One in five American adults lives with mental illness. Many people learn to manage their conditions and still live fully, so you can still pursue your goals.

Learn All You Can About Your Condition

When you’re ready, do some research on the particular illness you have. Educate yourself about the basics of your condition. Your first source of information is your healthcare provider and you can start by asking the following questions:

• How will this mental illness affect your life?
• What is the treatment plan for your condition?
• What are the changes you need to prepare for?
• What do you need to expect during treatment and recovery?
• How else can you help improve your recovery?

You can also reach out to people who have had the same experience. You can look for different support groups or community organizations. When searching for online resources, make sure to check credible websites like the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Understand Your Treatment Options

Part of preparing to manage your mental illness is taking a closer look at your treatment options. Although your medical provider will recommend the best course of treatment, you still need to consider the financial costs. For example, the treatment options available may be limited to the type of insurance you have and the amount of coverage your plan provides for mental health care. So, contact your health insurance and inquire about the mental health services they cover. Also, see if they have a list of mental health professionals that can accommodate you. If you’re employed, see if your employer has an assistance program to help you find affordable services. In case you don’t have any health insurance, you can ask your local mental health center for reduced-cost services.

When choosing a mental health professional, you can meet with several before making a final decision. You can set an appointment with different physicians or counselors until you find someone with whom you have a good rapport. During the consultations, you can ask about their treatment styles and experiences dealing with your particular illness.

Involve Your Friends and Family

Once you start your treatment, you will need all the help you can get, including emotional support from your friends and family. It is vital in the recovery of anyone with a mental illness. At times, sharing encouraging words for someone in rehab can help keep them motivated during the challenging parts of the treatment. You may also have struggles dealing with your sickness, so it’s best to talk to your loved ones and let them know about your diagnosis. If you are still hesitant about telling them, you can consider the following advantages when you share your medical condition with someone:

• They can help you accept your illness and encourage your recovery.
• You have people you can talk to when you’re feeling down.
• Discussing your health can help reduce the stigma around mental illness.
• You may inspire other people to talk about their mental health.

When you’ve decided to tell other people about your mental illness, you might find these tips helpful:

• Select a day to talk to them when you feel well and confident. You don’t have to force yourself to do it if you’re not up to it.
• Feel free to discuss as much or as little as you want to. You are not obliged to divulge all information, especially if you are not comfortable talking about everything yet.
• Practice how the conversation will go beforehand. This way, you won’t feel so nervous and have an idea of the details you want to share.
• You may need to inform your employer, especially if you need to take some time off to get treated.

After being diagnosed with a mental illness, you may feel like your world has turned upside down. Although the emotions you will feel are all valid and normal, you shouldn’t lose hope. You can seek help from mental health professionals and prepare for your treatment. As you do this, you can let people you trust know about your condition because strong relationships giving you unwavering support can help you overcome difficult situations and even speed up your recovery.