Mental Health Disorders

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health disorder. People with anxiety may be able to identify what’s creating their symptoms or unaware of the cause.

Generalized anxiety can start in childhood, and women are often diagnosed with it at a higher rate than men. Anxiety can appear after separation or through social contact with either familiar people or strangers. Anxiety can induce panic attacks that last several minutes. Medical conditions or procedures can produce feelings of anxiety, too.

Anxiety includes a broad spectrum of emotional experiences, from reactions to everyday situations to severe anxiety such as PTSD. People with substance use disorders frequently cite anxiety, and it requires specialized care.

Two types of depression that specifically affect women are premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and postpartum depression.

With PMDD, women experience the onset of depression symptoms a week before a monthly period. Postpartum depression occurs when hormone changes following childbirth affect a woman for longer than two weeks.

Additional types of depression include:

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
This disorder is connected to a change in seasons, typically with the onset of winter.

Persistent depressive disorder
This disorder is a type of long-term depression that can last for months or even years.

Atypical disorder
Atypical depression is less severe than other types but can be elicited by both negative and positive experiences.

Paranoia

Paranoia isn’t a specific diagnosis but can occur as part of specific mental health disorders, including one where substance abuse is happening.

Certain drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, can create a sense of paranoia. Recognizing the symptoms of paranoia can be a clue to your mental health status.

Symptoms may include:

• Defensiveness
• Hostility
• Aggression
• Believing you’re always right
• Being unable to compromise
• Being unable to trust others

Psychosis

Psychosis is a loss of connection with reality. A person with psychosis may hallucinate and see or hear people around them who aren’t there. They may have delusions about their accomplishments, their identity, or their relationships. Their delusions may be about being the target of someone’s plot to harm or shame them.

Hallucinations and delusions also affect people with this mental health disorder. They interpret the reality around them in an abnormal way. Their thinking is highly confused, and they may exhibit sudden mood swings. Psychosis could be considered the most intense mental health disorder on the list, and treatment is a lifelong process.

Process Addictions

Process addictions often co-occur with a substance use disorder, such as shopping, gambling, disordered eating, and sex. Cross-addictive behaviors may exacerbate one another.

Every patient deserves a treatment plan customized to their specific needs.

• PEPQ (PsychEval Personality Questionnaire)
• MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2)
• MCMI (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory)

In addition to clinical interviews and sessions with their primary therapist, our thorough assessment provides a foundation for meeting each patient’s unique needs.

Effective treatment of co-occurring disorders requires treatment simultaneously by the same care team at the same location. Our medically intensive and multi-disciplinary programming treats mental health disorders and co-occurring disorders through the expertise of our highly trained professionals.

Our treatment teams address not only the physical and mental needs of our patients but also their psychological and spiritual needs. Every day, our highly trained staff members—from medical professionals to licensed therapists and psychiatrists—gather to discuss patient cases and work towards solutions. A specialized, integrated treatment model has been proven to improve outcomes and quality of life.

Co-occurring disorders can negatively affect and exacerbate each other, which makes successful treatment more challenging. The Center for Brain Recovery (CBR) at Hanley Center, our health psychology department, is an innovative program that promotes brain health through evidence-based therapies. CBR services are specifically designed to recognize the connection between addiction and mental health disorders as well as to provide treatment that addresses both concerns simultaneously, offering our patients a greater chance at long-term recovery.

Learn more about the Center for Brain Recovery here.

Those with co-occurring disorders require lifelong support. Our team of continuing care specialists works with patients and their families to develop a discharge plan that leads to long-term success. These recommendations may include:

• Ongoing therapy
• Intensive outpatient care
• Scheduled appointments with psychiatrists and medical doctors
• Medication management
• Wellness recommendations
• Transitional living
• 12-Step programming and fellowship

Our licensed family and marriage therapists also work with our patient’s families to build a continuing care plan that supports family healing.

Learn more about Hanley’s Family Program here.