Mental Healthcare

Specialized Care For Mental Health Conditions

Mental health refers to a person’s overall well-being in regard to their emotional, psychological and social functioning. It involves the ability to manage one’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors in a healthy way, to form and maintain healthy relationships and to cope with life’s challenges and stressors.

Your physical health and mental health are closely linked, and if you are struggling emotionally, you may experience physical symptoms. We help patients identify and manage mental health issues so that they can ultimately feel better.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are extremely common. In fact, over 40 million adults experience an anxiety disorder each year, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Although the cause of anxiety disorders are not entirely known, possible factors include family history, environmental stress and experiencing a traumatic event. If left untreated, these disorders can cause significant issues at work and at home. Types of anxiety disorders include:

  • General anxiety disorder

  • Obsessive-compulsive

  • Panic disorder

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Social anxiety disorder

Symptoms Of An Anxiety Disorder

Though people experience symptoms of anxiety disorders differently, there are some common symptoms to look out for. If you feel you are unable to manage daily activities and experience any of the following symptoms, you may have an anxiety disorder.

  • Extreme worry

  • Problems sleeping

  • Trouble breathing

  • Abnormal heart rhythm

  • Nausea

  • Dizziness

  • Tense muscles

  • Panic attacks

  • Gastrointestinal distress

  • Avoiding stressful situations

  • Feeling constantly fatigued

  • Sweating

Depression

People with depression experience intense periods of debilitating feelings of sadness. Depression is common, and according to the CDC, 16 million American adults are affected by depression every year. If left untreated, depression often becomes worse and can seriously affect everyday life. People who experience symptoms of depression should visit their medical provider before it becomes worse. Symptoms include:

Mental health
  • Feeling sad often or all the time

  • Irritability

  • Oversleeping

  • Feeling constantly tired

  • Feeling worthless and hopeless

  • Thinking about suicide or harming yourself

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Loss of energy

  • Lack of motivation

  • Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed

Treating Anxiety Disorders And Depression In Salem, Virginia

Our goal at Star City Medical is to help patients with depression and anxiety manage their symptoms with confidence. Dr. Justin Lindsey and our talented physician assistant Amanda Caldwell will diagnose anxiety and depression through a physical examination and by asking you a series of questions about your mental health. Treatment for mental health disorders depends on the severity of your symptoms and includes psychotherapy, medication or a combination of the two. Our providers can help you receive the help you need by referring you to a psychotherapy practice.

Psychotherapy involves working with a qualified therapist to help manage your anxiety. We are happy to refer patients to trusted psychotherapy practices, when necessary. The most common and effective type of therapy is Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps teach patients strategies for their symptoms. Treatment may also include exposure therapy, which exposes patients to their triggers in order to help them build confidence.

Antidepressants can be used to treat both depression and anxiety disorders. In specific circumstances, our providers may also prescribe beta-blockers or sedatives for short-term use.

Stress Management

Everyone experiences different kinds of stress and handles it differently. Stress can often manifest itself in physical symptoms, or make existing health conditions worse. It can be difficult to distinguish stress from a more serious mental health disorder, and our providers can help you determine this. We can also recommend strategies for managing your stress, including:

  • Eating well

  • Exercising

  • Getting plenty of sleep

  • Limiting alcohol

  • Not smoking

  • Taking time for yourself

  • Talking with others