Does stress cause mental illness?
A. When you are constantly reacting to stressful situations without making adjustments to counter the effects, stress can cause physical, emotional and behavioral disorders that can affect your health, vitality, peace-of-mind, as well as personal and professional relationships. It is estimated that 75-90 percent of visits to primary care physicians are stress related. Q. How do I get help for a mental illness? A. The first step is to talk to your doctor to see if there is any underlying physical cause for your symptoms. If none is found, your doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist. Mental health professionals include psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers. Psychiatrists and other doctors may prescribe medications to treat mental illness. Most mental health professionals have expertise in psychological and behavioral interventions. For some disorders, medications and psychological treatments work best together. Q. Does medical insurance cover treatment?
