EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is a widely used therapy that helps individuals living with a wide range of mental health symptoms. But, as this therapy grows in popularity and use, more people are wondering, “Does EMDR work and would it for me?”. Knowing more about a therapy that could possibly help you and whether or not you are a good candidate is a good place to start when considering any mental health therapy option, including EMDR.

More About What EMDR Is – Does EMDR Work?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a type of therapy that was developed to help people living with the negative effects of traumatic experiences and PTSD. But, after many years, it has been determined that EMDR can help people living with other mental health issues as well as it can assist with dealing with negative emotions that are developed as the result of a variety of mental health disorders. It can help people to process their feelings and thoughts as they affect their mental health and deal with them in a healthy way, assisting with making progress and meeting goals during mental treatment.

Essentially, EMR works by having a therapist guide an individual through traumatic events and identifying the causes of negative emotions during sessions. Then, while processing memories that relate to negative emotions, patients are asked to move their eyes laterally by following an object or the therapist’s fingers. These eye movements are believed to associate with eye movements in REM sleep. Thus, helping to convert negative memories and emotions into something more available to process mentally. As a result, patients who use EMDR are able to process their trauma and negative emotions as a result of mental health issues in a more manageable way.

Who Can Benefit From EMDR Therapy?

When considering mental health therapy options, it’s best to identify whether or not you could benefit from the therapies you are considering. Not all mental health treatments work to help with all mental health issues. And, different people may benefit from mental health therapies in different ways. Basically, EMDR can help people better process the negative emotions that are associated with traumatic events and memories. It helps people to change negative thoughts associated with these traumatic memories into more positive ones in order to better manage symptoms of PTSD and other negative effects that come about as the result of these experiences.

Furthermore, mental health issues can often develop as a result of experiencing trauma. So, people living with a number of issues and mental health conditions can benefit from using EMDR including people who are living with:

• Anxiety disorders
• PTSD
• OCD
• Personality disorders
• Grief
• Depressive disorders

Is EMDR Therapy Right for You?

EMDR therapy is a great tool to utilize, especially in combination with other mental health approaches. All kinds of people may benefit from EMDR therapy, and there is no one kind of candidate that is perfect criteria. So, if you believe that you experience negative effects and emotions due to living through a traumatic event, EMDR therapy may be beneficial to you.

EMDR Therapy at Synchrony Brain Health

Synchrony Brain Health offers mental health therapy tools for people living with a variety of mental health issues. Our brain-based approaches help our patients better understand how the brain is a part of mental health and offer services that adjust how the brain works to improve the benefits of mental health treatment. This includes the use of EMDR for patients who have suffered from traumatic events. Find out more about our services and EMDR therapy available at our facility today from our website.

Getting help for mental health can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to considering various mental health treatments like psychiatric medications. Psychiatric medications can be essential for treating mental health issues as they can greatly reduce the severity of symptoms and improve mental well-being. But, many may feel wary about starting medications, switching medications, or experiencing side effects of medications. That’s why it’s important to plan your conversation with your mental health provider and specialists before having a conversation about psychiatric medications. This way, you feel more confident moving forward with treatment planning and using medications in a way that best suits your needs and goals for mental healing.

Some tips for talking to your mental health specialist about psychiatric medications include:

Plan to Talk About Some Specific Things During Your Conversation

It can be helpful to identify some things your mental health specialist will need to know during your assessment to determine whether or not you should use mental health medications. Gathering this information beforehand can help you provide the most accurate information. Some of the things you should plan to discuss include:

Family History: Your mental health specialist will likely ask you questions about your family history including other people in your family who may suffer from mental health issues. Genetics plays a part in how medications may work for you and determining family history can provide your mental health care team with vital information about making suggestions for your care.

Medications You’ve Used or Currently Use: Make sure to plan to talk about any medications you’re currently taking or have already taken in the past as your mental health provider will need to know. Make a list so that you don’t miss any. Your provider will need to know if medications you’ve used in the past have led to adverse reactions so that medications with the same ingredients are prescribed again. Furthermore, your specialist will need to know of any other medications, for both mental or physical health issues, you may be taking to determine the best types of medications that can be used in congruence with the ones you’re already taking to reduce risks of side effects.

Prepare to be Open and Honest

Your mental healthcare provider will ask you a series of questions to help determine whether or not psychiatric medications will be helpful to you during treatment. And, to better determine if any medications may not work well for your treatment due to the risk of side effects, allergies, etc. It’s important to be completely honest when answering these questions so that the medications you will be prescribed work as intended and that they don’t lead to adverse reactions. Some questions you may expect to be asked during a medication assessment may include:

• do you have any allergies to medications?
• have you tried psychiatric medications in the past?
• do you have any physical health ailments?
• have you been diagnosed with other mental health issues?
• do you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide?
• what are the symptoms you’re experiencing?
• how long have you been experiencing symptoms?
• are there things that trigger symptoms? What are they?

Getting Help From Synchrony Brain Health for Mental Health Issues

Do you find yourself struggling with daily life due to symptoms of mental health issues? Psychiatric medications and other treatments are available at Synchrony Brain Health. At our outpatient mental health treatment facility, we focus on a brain-based approach to mental treatment. We provide medication management services as well as genetically-informed psychopharmacology which helps to improve the way that medications work for mental health treatment patients. Learn more about how we can help from our website today.

People all over the country are looking to ketamine as a new way to treat treatment-resistant depression. One application of ketamine for depression treatment is a brand-name nasal spray inhaler, Spravato. Spravato makes ketamine applications quick and easy and can provide a number of benefits to people who may not be good candidates for ketamine infusions. But, what is Spravato nasal spray and what should you know about this type of treatment for depressive disorders before determining if it’s a right fit for you?

Frequently Asked Questions About Spravato Nasal Spray

Before starting treatment for mental health like Spravato, you’re likely to have many questions. Getting all of your questions answered about Spravato treatment can help you step into treatment sessions feeling confident and well-informed about your decision. And, allow you to have access to education about what you can expect during treatment sessions, potential side effects, and more so that you can feel confident during the process.

Some FAWs about Spravato nasal spray treatment include:

Is Spravato the Same as Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

Ketamine is a medical substance that’s used in the treatment of mood disorders like depression as it has little-known side effects and boasts successful results. Both ketamine infusion therapy and Spravato nasal inhalers use ketamine as the sole active medication. However, their main difference is administration. Ketamine infusions administer ketamine directly into the bloodstream via intravenous infusion, or IV. Spravato nasal spray administers ketamine into the body through a nasal inhaler. While both treatments harness the same results and utilize the same medication, they are different in their approach. So, no, Spravato is different from ketamine infusion therapy.

People who have trouble with needles or need a quicker administration method may consider Spravato as an alternative to ketamine infusions.

Is Spravato Something I Can Use at Home?

No. Spravato nasal spray is administered by a medical professional, typically at mental health treatment facilities. This is so that the correct dosage is administered with each application. And, so that the safety of patients is a priority as supervision of these administrations can help to reduce risks associated with potential side effects like disorientation.

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Spravato?

There are some people who aren’t good candidates for Spravato nasal spray treatments. So, it can be helpful to determine whether or not you may be a good candidate for this type of treatment before looking further into it. Some reasons a person may not be a good fit for Spravato treatments can include:

• an allergy to ketamine
• a history of aneurysms or other blood vessel issues
• diagnosis of heart disease
• diagnosis of brain disease
• pregnancy

It’s important to be open and honest with your treatment provider about any medical history you have and the medications you may be taking to best determine if you’re a good candidate for Spravato.

Getting Help for Depression With Spravato

If you think that you may be a good candidate for Spravato and want to learn more about how it can help with symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, find out more about this treatment available at Synchrony Brain Health.

Many people are looking for alternatives to mental health treatment and therapies as medications can lead to adverse reactions. And, because results aren’t always the same from patient to patient. Combining traditional treatment methods and new-age therapies, like alpha-stim, can provide people with the more effective treatment results they’re looking for. But, what is alpha-stim, and who is a good candidate for this type of therapy?

Understanding More About What Alpha-Stim Is

So, what is alpha-stim, and who can benefit from this type of treatment? Essentially, alpha-stim is a device that sends electromagnetic wavelengths into the body that can help to break down harmful chemicals and cells that can be the result of mental and physical health issues within the body to the electron level. This resets the body so that it can regenerate new and fully functioning cells, resulting in better mental and physical well-being. Alpha-stim is FDA-approved to help treat issues including insomnia, depression, and anxiety and can be used in combination with other therapies and treatments.

The Benefits

The benefits of alpha-stim treatment are many, but they are unlike traditional forms of mental health treatment as it is completely non-invasive. Medications that are traditionally used in the treatment of mental health issues, pain, and sleep disorders can become addictive. Also, they may present the risk of side effects or adverse reactions in some people who try them. Alpha-stim has little to no risk of side effects. Plus, is non-invasive, so patients who use it don’t have to worry about the risk of experiencing discomfort or adverse reactions. Finally, alpha-stim can be utilized on an outpatient basis and people who use this type of therapy can go about their daily routine after treatment sessions and without the need for any recovery time.

How It Works

The alpha-stim device comes with clasps that attach to the ear lobes that send electromagnetic waves into the body during sessions. These electromagnetic waves are then sent to the brain and end up stimulating specific nerve cells in the brain that are responsible for mood management, sleep management, and other things that are associated with physical and mental health. These electromagnetic currents are not very strong, so patients do not feel anything during alpha-stim sessions. They can just sit back and relax while the device does its job.

The alpha-stim device can be adjusted to pinpoint specific neurons of the brain according to a patient’s needs. For example, if a patient is experiencing insomnia, they may get a different alpha-stim experience than a patient who is diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. The results of alpha-stim may vary from person to person, but most people experience symptom relief after their first session. Sessions can last longer than 20 mins and typically, patients are put on a schedule for sessions to occur 2-4x per week until expected results occur.

Who is a Good Candidate for Aplha-Stim Therapy?

If you haven’t had the best luck experiencing symptom relief of anxiety, depression, or insomnia with traditional treatments, you may be looking for an alternative therapy like alpha-stim. So, you may be wondering if you’re a good candidate for alpha-stim sessions. Many people can benefit from alpha-stim, but there are some things that may keep a person from being a good candidate for this type of therapy. Find out if you’re a good candidate by having a professional consultation with a mental health professional like the ones available at Synchrony Brain Health.

TMS is a revolutionary tool that is helping people living with depressive disorders find relief that they may not have found otherwise. But, how do you know if you’re a good candidate for TMS therapy for depression?

More About What TMS Is

TMS is a type of therapy that is approved for the use of treating symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) by the FDA. It’s a non-invasive approach that is especially useful for people who are living with treatment-resistant depression, which is depression that doesn’t respond well to other, more traditional types of depression treatment such as antidepressants or behavioral therapies.

How Does TMS Work?

TMS is conducted by first assessing a person’s brain to identify areas that aren’t working as they should produce mood-managing brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, Once these areas of the brain are identified, a TMS specialist will know exactly where to utilize the TMS machine during sessions. During a TMS session, the patient will sit down in a chair comfortably and the machine will be placed near their head. Once the machine is turned on, the TMS device sends magnetic pulses to the brain in order to stimulate the specific treatment areas, working to jump-start the neurons in the brain into working how they should. During treatment sessions, patients can expect to hear the machine send these magnetic pulses which are commonly compared to the sound of an MRI machine.

Who is a Good Candidate for TMS Sessions?

There are specific people who may be a better fit for TMS sessions than others. People who are good candidates for TMS include people who:

• are struggling with the effects of treatment-resistant depression
• have tried other types of depression treatment without getting the results they need
• are over the age of 18
• have a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Who May Not be a Good Candidate for TMS Sessions?

While TMS is a great option for people who are struggling with the symptoms of MDD, there are some people who are better fit for other types of depression therapies. Some instances that may disqualify a person from qualifying for TMS therapy sessions can include if a person is:

• diagnosed with seizure disorders
• has a medically implanted device in their body that may interfere with magnets
• more suited to other types of depression therapies
• not one who has tried more traditional approaches to treating depression first
• under the age of 18
• under physical or medical risk
• dealing with head trauma due to injury
• diagnosed with severe headaches or migraines

Think You May be a Good Candidate for TMS Therapy for Depression?

TMS has a low risk of side effects and a very high success rate for people who are looking to find symptom relief for MDD. And, since it’s a well-tolerated treatment, many people qualify for this depression therapy. So, if you believe you may be a good candidate for TMS, consider Synchrony Brain Health for your depression treatment needs. Find out more about what you can expect from our outpatient mental health services that focus on the brain from our website today.

Are you struggling with insomnia as a result of living with a mental health issue? Sleep issues are common symptoms of mental health issues like depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Living with sleep issues can lead to a number of negative side effects like exhaustion, cognitive decline, memory issues, immune deficiencies, and more. So, it’s important to address sleep issues like insomnia throughout mental health treatment. One therapy that’s effective in helping people who are living with sleep issues as a result of mental health issues is CBT for insomnia. But, what is CBT for insomnia and what can a person expect from this type of therapy?

What is CBT for Insomnia?

CBT stands for cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s a type of one-on-one therapy that utilizes individual therapy sessions between an individual and a certified mental health therapist to address behavioral issues (like sleep conditions). And, provide methods to address behavioral issues that present as the result of mental health issues.

Approaches to CBT for Sleep Issues

During CBT sessions that are aimed at addressing sleep disturbances, a therapist will identify thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors that may result in sleep issues. Once these thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are identified, patients are given methods that challenge these issues so that the patient can test for better sleep results. Some of the approaches that may be used during CBT sessions can include interventions that touch on mental, emotional, and behavioral components:

Mental: A CBT therapist may work to identify any thoughts that may be attributed to a person’s inability to fall or stay asleep and work on adjusting these negative thoughts about sleep so that a person can get more quality rest.

Emotional: A CBT therapist will help a patient understand that the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors they have that deal with sleep all affect their quality of sleep.

Behavioral: A CBT therapist helps patients better identify behaviors that may be keeping them from getting quality sleep and adjust these behaviors for better sleep.

Techniques Learned in CBT Sessions for Insomnia

During CBT sessions that are focused on sleep, a patient can learn new ways to address the issues that are keeping them from getting the healthy amount of sleep they need. Some of these things can include:

• reframing negative thoughts that lead to unhealthy sleep patterns
• identifying and addressing any myths or misconceptions about sleep
• adjusting any unhealthy behaviors that can impact sleep including watching TV before bed, laying in bed before bedtime, eating in bed, etc.
• setting a sleeping schedule (waking up and going to bed at the same time every night)
• learning and practicing relaxation techniques to utilize for better sleep
• educating patients about why sleep is important for better mental well-being

Finding Treatment That Includes CBT for Better Sleep

If you’re struggling with sleep and believe it’s due to mental health issues, the thoughts you have about sleep, or unhealthy behaviors that result in a lack of sleep, CBT may help. Treatment that includes CBT can help you identify and address why you aren’t getting the sleep you need for better mental well-being. And, give you the tools necessary to tackle your sleep issues. Synchrony Brain Health offers outpatient services that can help people living with sleep issues like insomnia take back control of their sleep. Find out more about our CBT protocol for sleep disturbances service from our website.

Nutraceuticals are agents of nutrition that can be taken in a number of forms in order to provide the body with nutrients it may not be getting from other sources, like eating. The purpose of using nutraceuticals is to promote health by giving the body a dietary need in order to process functions. But, while neutraceuticals have long since been known to improve physical health, the study of nutraceuticals’ impact on mental health is relatively novel. Understanding how neutraceuticals can play a part in mental healing is helpful for individuals who wish to utilize non-invasive and efficient methods of treatment as neutraceuticals can be easily implemented into treatment programs.

Nutraceuticals in the Realm of Treating Mental Illness

What you put into your body doesn’t only matter as far as physical health, but mental health as well. Our diet can play a part in how our brain functions, which can have an impact on our mental health. Specific dietary supplements, like neutraceuticals, can help to improve signaling and neuron pathways in the brain that can result in symptoms of mental illness. So, utilizing certain nutraceuticals during mental health treatment programming can play an active role in reducing the severity and frequency of some symptoms of mental health issues.

Types of Nutraceuticals and The Parts They Play With Mental Healing

There is a wide range of nutraceuticals that can be integrated into mental health treatment. This is because different neutraceuticals can promote different results. The types of nutraceuticals that individuals utilize to gain sustained or boosted mental healing may differ from person to person depending on the desired effect and mental diagnosis.

B12

Those struggling with depressive disorders may benefit from taking vitamin B12 supplements. B12 is found in some foods like red meats and dairy products, but it is not available from eating plants alone. So, this vitamin is specifically important for people who aren’t getting enough B12 from a plant-based diet. When a person doesn’t get enough vitamin B12, it can result in a number of issues including exhaustion, increased depressive symptoms, and memory problems. B12 is responsible for a number of things including a properly functioning immune system and brain. Specifically, B12 helps the brain to produce and release neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for mood regulation. This is what makes it so helpful for people who are diagnosed with depressive disorders. Using B12 in combination with other depression treatments can help to improve the effects of anti-depressant medications.

Omega-3

Omega-3 is a fatty acid that is responsible for maintaining brain health by improving the structure of brain cells and supporting brain functions. This can help people who are struggling with the effects of a number of brain-affecting disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, and more. While omega-3s can be found in certain foods like salmon, other fish, oils, and seeds, it can be difficult to get a high level of omega-3 in the body without the use of supplements. So, using omega-3 supplements can help people living with mental health issues improve brain function so they can experience a reduction in disorienting symptoms as a result of mental health issues.

Nutraceuticals Available Through Mental Health Treatment

Some mental health treatment facilities, like Synchrony Brain Health, offer neutraceuticals as an additional treatment tool for mental health treatment. Find out more about the nutraceuticals we make available to patients who need them during treatment on our website.

Covid has taken the lives of many. But, for even more individuals, Covid has stimulated a long list of long-lasting side effects. One of the most common post Covid effects for aging individuals is cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment is when an individual is challenged with making decisions for oneself, learning, and recollection/memory. This is believed to happen as Covid attacks and damages the nervous system. Therefore, leading to long-lasting damage to the brain which can lead to debilitating symptoms of cognition impairment which can negatively impact aging individuals at a higher rate. Fortunately, specific treatments are available and effective for aging individuals who have experienced nervous system damage as the result of Covid and are dealing with cognitive impairment. For example, some of the services available through Synchrony Brain Health include neurofeedback, recognition, and mindfulness stress reduction.

Covid and the Brain

Cognitive impairment from Covid is believed to be the result of swelling of the brain, or encephalitis. Swelling of the brain can stimulate strokes and brain damage. While encephalitis is a side effect that typically doesn’t result in serious issues in most individuals who experience this symptom, elderly individuals are more susceptible to experiencing brain damage when suffering from encephalitis as the result of a Covid diagnosis.

According to a study of a group of cases in Wuhan, China, people who are older than 60 and have been isolated in care for a Covid diagnosis were more susceptible to experiencing cognitive impairment. This is especially true for people who have severe cases of Covid. And, after one-year post-Covid diagnosis, these individuals are also more likely to experience the same symptoms on a prolonged basis.

The Symptoms of Brain Damage at the Result of Covid in Elderly Individuals

Over 35% of individuals who have experienced an intensive care stay as the result of Covid also experience impairment in cognition. This cognitive impairment is similar to people who have suffered from brain damage as a result of a traumatic head injury. Some of the symptoms of cognitive impairment and brain injury caused by Covid can include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• stroke
• seizures
• memory issues
• lack of focus/trouble concentrating
• impaired executive functioning

Some of these symptoms can impact everyday life as it can impair patients from understanding conversations and information about their health, disrupt daily medication regimens, negatively impact relationships, keep a person from managing finances and careers, and much more.

Treatments for Post Covid Cognitive Impairment in Aging Individuals

Fortunately, aging individuals who have experienced a cognitive decline as the result of Covid can experience symptom relief from the treatment. There are specific treatments available that can help to reduce and even reverse the effects of brain damage as the result of swelling of the brain. Some of these treatments include:

Mindfulness Stress Reduction: This is a stress-reduction-based therapy that uses meditation as a primary technique. It is shown to help people with cognitive impairment as meditation can actually improve the cognitive reserve in the brain, helping to reduce symptoms of cognitive impairment.

ReCognition: ReCognition is a neuroscience treatment that can help to reduce cognitive impairment symptoms. This program ‘works out the brain’ by providing exercises that help the brain better focus on cognitive functioning and symptomatic patterns that are the result of brain damage or injury – like swelling of the brain due to Covid.

Neurofeedback: This type of neurotherapy is helpful to improve cognition as it offers training for the brain that allows for better functioning. Therefore, it can help to improve brain cognition in those who participate in this type of therapy. During sessions, individuals are asked to provide feedback about brain functionality in order for them to train their brains for better functioning, which actually eventually adjusts directional pathways in the brain to provide better long-term cognition.

Post-Covid Cognition Treatments for Aging Adults at Synchrony

Have you or a loved one experienced brain impairment as the result of a Covid diagnosis? Synchrony offers available treatments for aging adults that include ReCognition, Neurofeedback, and Mindfulness Stress Reduction. Find out more about our available services on our website today.

Have you tried treatments and medications for mental health issues but found that you are always needing to switch methods? Or, that you don’t like the side effects and end up needing to change medications or treatments? You’re not alone. Many people find it challenging to find a medication or treatment that matches their expectations and gives them the results they want. Fortunately, there’s a better way of identifying the medications and treatments that are right for your mental healing journey than jumping from treatment to treatment. Pharmacogenomic testing allows individuals to understand more about themselves and their genetics in order to identify specific treatments that may be better for their expectations and their health.

What is Pharmacogenomics?

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how pharmacology (medications) and genetics interact with one another. It can help to provide information about an individual and how they may respond, whether positively or negatively, to any form of medication based on their genetic profile.

What is Pharmacogenomic Testing?

Pharmacogenomic testing is when medical professionals take a sample of DNA in order to determine how a person may react to certain medications. It helps to guide medical individuals in order to provide the best methods of treatment for mental health issues, which can help to reduce the risk of adverse reactions, side effects, allergic reactions, and more. Pharmacogenomic testing works by determining an individual’s specific biological patterns in order to deduce how a person’s body will interact with medications. Testing of pharmacogenomics can help to improve the quality of a person’s mental health treatment by reducing the severity or likelihood of symptoms and risks, improving the overall odds for lasting results, and giving peace of mind to people who are considering the use of pharmaceuticals for mental health treatment.

How Does Pharmacogenomic Testing Work?

Here at Synchrony Brain Health, we provide pharmacogenomic testing to provide both our clinicians and our patients with the best information available in order to offer the best chance for treatment success. But, it can be helpful to understand what goes into this process. Our Pharmacogenomic Testing process involves analyzing 24 different genes that can provide various information regarding various psychiatric treatment conditions.

The process of receiving Pharmacogenomic Testing includes:

• taking a DNA sample by orally swabbing the mouth
• sending DNA into a lab for testing
• analyzing information found in the lab
• providing patients with their results
• discussing best-suggested treatments based on genetic testing

Pharmacogenomic Testing at Synchrony Brain Health

At Synchrony Brain Health, we are committed to providing each and every one of our patients with the best chance of treatment success. That’s why we offer a Pharmacogenomic Testing service for anyone who is interested in this service. Specifically, if patients haven’t been experiencing treatment success before they come to us. So, if you’re worried about jumping from medication to medication or want to see what types of treatments may be best according to your genetic profiling, consider our Pharmacogenomic Testing service today. Find out more about this service available at our outpatient facility on our website today.

According to statistics gathered by the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults in the US, or 52.9 million), are living with a mental illness. Many of these individuals will seek assistance with managing the symptoms of their mental health issues through treatment services like individualized therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric medications. But, care should look different from person to person in order to address specific needs and expectations for treatment. Individualized treatment allows people to find what really works for them in order to maintain mental well-being. However, part of this is an accurate diagnosis performed through mental health assessments along with treatment planning throughout the treatment process. Without correct diagnosis and treatment planning that starts with a mental health assessment, individuals are less likely to complete treatment, reach treatment goals, and obtain lasting healing.

At Synchrony Brain Health, we provide each patient who walks through our door with a user-friendly mental health assessment report as well as recommendations for treatment services. This way, individuals who need help for mental health issues can understand why they are experiencing symptoms as well as the best path for treatment in order to reach their goals for care.

What is a Mental Health Assessment/Report?

A mental health assessment is a tool that helps both mental health providers and individuals seeking treatment for mental health issues to identify specific diagnoses as well as effective treatment planning. During mental health assessments, mental health professionals such as psychiatrists and physicians will work together with patients to gather the information that’s related to a person’s history. This can include asking questions about mental health symptoms, medical background, the severity of symptoms, utilized coping methods, etc. All of this information can be used and compared to information about specific mental health diagnostic material (DSM-5) in order to provide an accurate diagnosis. After a diagnosis is complete, individuals can then start working with their team of mental health specialists to set goals for treatment by developing a treatment plan which includes suggested treatments, therapies, and supportive services.

What to Expect From a Mental Health Report From Synchrony

During a mental health assessment, there are a few things you can expect to occur. First and foremost, you can expect to be questioned about a number of things by your team of mental health specialists. Some of the things you may be asked about include:

• medications you may be taken or have used in the past
• your personal background
• family background and history of family illness
• any diagnostic tools you may have used in the past
• mental health symptoms you’ve experienced

Along with answering questions, you can expect to undergo some other diagnostic testing. This can include psychiatric evaluations, physical examinations, imaging (qEEG), pharmacogenomic testing, urine tests, etc. All of these questions and diagnostic tools are geared toward finding the specific mental health diagnosis you may be living with. This way, accurate and effective treatment can be considered in order for you to have the best chance of treatment success.

Mental Health Assessments at Synchrony BH

Are you ready to find out what mental health issues you may be facing? A mental health assessment and report may be beneficial for you to understand which types of treatments available may be best for you. Synchrony BH offers complete and comprehensive diagnostic tools, testing, and assessments for all of the patients that reach out to us for help with mental health issues.