Catching it Early: Why Early Intervention Matters in Mental Health and Addiction

Early intervention is the key to a smoother recovery, improved outcomes, and lower overall healthcare costs for many conditions, including mental health and addiction. In fact, catching mental health conditions early on can reduce the risk of or even eliminate co-occurring disorders in some cases.

‍

Unfortunately, far too many people delay getting treatment for mental health, and addiction prevention is not always possible. It is critical for families, schools, and primary care physicians to understand how to recognize the early warning signs that indicate a need for help.

The Need for Early Intervention in Mental Health

Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders are progressive. They will continue to worsen unless the individual receives treatment to address the root cause and improve their symptoms.

‍

When a person gets help quickly, early treatment outcomes are generally positive. There is less of a chance of relapsing, and the individual’s risk of suicide is lowered.

‍

Consider these statistics:

‍

Approximately 35% of people with substance use disorders also have a co-occurring mental health condition, according to NIDA.
Around 75% of lifelong mental health issues become apparent by the age of 24.
50% become apparent 10 years earlier, by the age of 14.
Early symptoms of mental illness are often missed or dismissed as something else.

‍

Delaying treatment often leads to drug and alcohol abuse as a way to self-medicate uncomfortable symptoms.

Why Does Mental Health Treatment Often Get Delayed?

Because about half of all lifelong mental health issues begin in the early teen years, their symptoms are frequently confused with those of adolescence. Young people may struggle with any of the following:

‍

Being told what they’re going through is a normal part of growing up.
Feeling a general lack of self-awareness due to not understanding their bodies and emotions.
Experiencing a sense of shame because they don’t want to be labeled as “different” from their peers.

‍

Even once a person has gone through puberty, they may still delay getting mental health treatment, even if they suspect they need it. There are many reasons for this.

Being in Denial

It can be very challenging to come to terms with the need for mental health treatment. This is especially true for those with a family history of mental illness who may be from dysfunctional backgrounds.

Having Various Treatment Barriers

Not having health insurance, transportation, or a supportive family can all make it challenging for people to get the mental health care they need. As a result, treatment gets delayed and conditions worsen.

Being Misdiagnosed

While it doesn’t happen often, sometimes people are misdiagnosed by physicians who fail to recognize the physical components of mental health issues. For example, headaches, upset stomach, and fatigue are all symptoms that can be connected with both physical and mental ailments.

What are the Signs of Some Common Mental Health Conditions?

It is vitally important to understand what signs to look for if a mental health issue is suspected, either in yourself or in a loved one.

‍

Feeling sad or hopeless
Fatigue or lack of energy
Not experiencing pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed
Problems with eating
Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide

‍

Of course, the goal is to arrest the mental illness before it progresses to substance abuse. However, that’s not always possible, so it’s necessary to also know the signs of substance abuse, which include:

‍

Feeling anxious for no reason
Lacking motivation
Mood swings, anger, and irritability
Paranoia
Unexplained personality or attitude changes

Recovery Support is Available

At Focus Treatment Centers, we’re here to support you and your loved one through this challenging season. Early intervention is always the goal, but regardless of where you are in the recovery process, we can help.

‍

Early Intervention | Focus Treatment Centers