Approximately half of all people who suffer from addiction to drugs or alcohol also have at least one mental illness. This fact makes it imperative that treatment is available for those who deal with these co-occurring conditions and need assistance in coping with both of them. An individual with both a substance use disorder and mental health issues benefits greatly from mental health facilities in Palm Beach county at Ambrosia Treatment Center. Additionally, they can still benefit if they need detox for addiction.
Common Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders can range in severity from person to person. Some people have persistent symptoms while others have episodes that only occur under certain conditions. Thus, two people with the same disorder can have different experiences with symptoms.
The following are some of the most common disorders seen at our mental health facilities in Palm Beach county:
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic-depression) is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to complete daily tasks. There are four different types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic, and Unspecified/Other.
Approximately 2.8% of U.S. adults experienced bipolar disorder in the previous year, with 4.4% developing it during their lifetime. A study by Psychiatry Advisor showed that of people who have a co-occurring substance use disorder and bipolar disorder, 42% of them abused alcohol, 20% abused cannabis, and 11% abused cocaine and amphetamines.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can include:
- Periods of intense depression and pessimism
- Periods of manic happiness and optimism
- Impaired judgment
- Irrational behavior
- Increased activity, energy, or agitation
- Racing thoughts
- Loss of interest in activities
- Insomnia or lethargy
- Suicidal thoughts
Anxiety
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, but sometimes it develops into an anxiety disorder. A report by the National Institute of Mental Health stated that 19.1% of U.S. adults reported having an anxiety disorder over the past year. At some point in their lives, about one in three will have an anxiety disorder. Individuals with an anxiety disorder are two to three times more likely to experience an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Symptoms of an anxiety disorder can include:
- Nervousness and restlessness
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches and digestive problems
- Sweating
- Shaking
- A sense of impending danger or panic
- Avoiding situations and places that may provoke anxiety
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Borderline personality disorder is a condition that causes a person to have difficulty regulating their emotions and consistently seeing people and situations clearly. They experience intense moods that often swing back and forth and are hard to control. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about 1.4% of U.S. adults have borderline personality disorder, with women accounting for about three out of four of those diagnosed.
Symptoms of borderline personality disorder may include:
- Intense mood swings that can last from a few hours to a few days, including happiness, anxiety, irritability, and shame
- Paranoia
- Disconnection from reality
- Experiencing intense bouts of anger, loss of temper, or physical aggressiveness for no legitimate reason
- Fear of abandonment
- Risky or self-sabotaging behavior, including addiction
- Instability in relationships, including switching from idealizing a person to being angry or having a negative view of them
- Difficulty with an accurate self-image or self-identity
- Self-injury
- Suicidal threats or behavior
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD causes a person to experience repetitive obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The thoughts may present as images or urges, and take the focus off much of what a person otherwise would normally concentrate on. They feel they must repeat certain behaviors as a way to alleviate stress, even if they logically know the tasks do not produce tangible results. NAMI states that 1.2% of U.S. adults suffer from OCD each year. The individual spends at least one hour a day focused on their OCD thoughts or behaviors.
Symptoms of OCD may include:
- Fear of contamination
- Fear of loss of control
- Striving for excessive organization or perfection
- Difficulty throwing things away
- Intrusive sexual thoughts
- Religious obsessions
- Repetitive cleaning behaviors
- Constantly checking and rechecking things
Find Mental Health Facilities in Palm Beach County
Please know that if you or a loved one is struggling with mental health and drug or alcohol abuse we can help. The team at our West Palm Beach, Florida mental health treatment center are here to help. Rest assured Ambrosia Treatment Center remains open to care for clients, families, and our communities suffering from mental health and substance abuse. Please do not hesitate to reach out for any questions, concerns, and referrals to get you the help you deserve. Quickly begin the admissions process today.
