Author Archives: Salveo Integrative Health

Effects of COVID-19 on Mental Health

Effects of COVID-19 on Mental Health

COVID-19 has been at the forefront of the news for well over a year. The global pandemic has turned the world upside down creating a strange new normal. Unfortunately, the effects of the virus, face masks, social distancing, job loss, or school closures have taken a toll. While the effects of COVID-19 on mental health may not be immediately visible, the stress and strain of the virus are present for many people. 

How does COVID affect your mental health?

The stress of facing the mounting challenges can take a toll on one’s physical, emotional, and/or mental health. Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a dramatic increase in adults who report mental health or substance abuse issues.

COVID-19 implications for mental health

While the public health efforts to avoid getting infected with the coronavirus may help keep you physically healthy, the social distancing and quarantining can also make one feel lonely or isolated. The lack of social contact with others can also add to one’s stress or anxiety.

Depression

Mental illness is not just a side effect of living through the pandemic. Research now shows that half of those who have contracted COVID report depression as a side effect. Unfortunately, for many, the symptoms of major depression may last for months beyond the initial infection.

Anxiety

When lockdowns were lifted and COVID numbers initially declined, many people were ready to re-enter the world and resume a sense of normalcy. For others, the idea of stepping back into the thick of things and mixing with other people brings a sense of fear and anxiety. COVID anxiety syndrome has become a new phenomenon as people navigate how to return to normal with their fear of contracting a highly contagious illness.

Substance abuse

In addition to the increase in depression and anxiety, many adults reported changes in their eating and sleeping patterns. Others have noted increases in alcohol consumption and substance abuse. For example, research shows that substance abuse in young adults increased from 13% to 25% amid COVID-19. Speaking with a provider can help manage substance use during a difficult time.

Tips to protect your mental health

tips to protect your mental health amid covid-19

The first part of protecting yourself against the impacts of the pandemic is understanding that it is natural to feel stressed or anxious sometimes. Consider the following tips to manage your stress and maintain your mental health:

1. Know the warning signs

Learning the warning signs of mental illness can help you seek out help for yourself or your loved ones. Be aware of the following:

  • Sleep changes
  • Appetite changes
  • Mood changes
  • Drop in functioning
  • Feeling disinterested
  • Withdrawal
  • Sensitivity
  • Problems focusing

2. Practice deep breathing

Breathing exercises are a great way to relax your body. Deep breathing relieves stress in the body because the deep breaths send a message letting your body know it is okay to calm down. Belly breathing is a simple way to start, and it can be done from anywhere.

3. Find an outlet for your stress

In addition to breathing exercises, finding an outlet for your stress can help keep overwhelming anxiety at bay. You can relieve your stress through exercise, meditation, yoga, personal time to yourself, eating healthy, and getting adequate sleep.

4. Lead a healthy lifestyle

Your mental health and overall health are connected. Being stressed about something that is beyond your control is not part of a healthy lifestyle. Stay positive, learn a new skill, set goals for yourself, rest, avoid unhealthy substances, have a good support system, maintain a good diet and exercise, and be mindful of yourself.

5. Seek professional help

If you or a loved one has tried the suggestions above but still feel something is off, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional

Contact Salveo Integrative Health for your mental health concerns

The expert team at Salveo Integrative Health offers behavioral and mental health services in Lawrenceville and Flowery Branch, GA, and telemedicine in North Carolina. Let our team help you protect your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. 

Contact us today!

Tips for Coping with Depression Amid COVID-19

Tips for Coping with Depression Amid COVID-19

More than 264 million people worldwide suffer from depression. Depression does not discriminate against age, race, or gender. Everyone is susceptible. In these ever-changing times with the coronavirus, changing mask and distancing standards, and work-from-home mandates, depression is on the rise.

Read on to discover how you can cope with depression amid COVID-19 and when to seek professional help.

What does depression look like?

As a common, yet serious mental illness, depression affects your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Patients dealing with depression often have negative thoughts, feelings of sadness, emotional and physical problems, and decreased functioning.

Depression symptoms

Although depressive disorder may be mild to severe, the most common symptoms of depression include the following:

  • Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
  • Angry outbursts
  • Decreased interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Disrupted sleep patterns or sleeping during the day
  • Tiredness
  • Weight changes
  • Agitation or restlessness
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Unexplained physical problems such as headaches
  • Frequent thoughts of death or suicide

If you want to learn more about how having these symptoms of depression can affect your health, consider scheduling an appointment with a provider at Salveo to discuss your needs. 

What are the main causes of depression?

Depression is a complex disease without a known cause. However, there are links between this mental illness and potential risk factors.

Common causes

The most common causes, risk factors, or triggers for depression include:

  • Abuse
  • Advanced age
  • Death or loss
  • Gender
  • Genetics
  • Illnesses
  • Major life events
  • Medications
  • Personal conflicts or disputes
  • Personal problems
  • Substance abuse

Depression during COVID

COVID-19 has been a major worldwide life-changing event. The added stress has triggered an upturn in depression.

Mental health during COVID-19 has taken a hit. The stress of the disease, quarantining, and work-at-home orders have brought about an increase in anxiety and depression. According to the CDC’s research, depressive disorder was nearly four times higher in the second quarter of 2020 than in the same time frame in 2019.

How to cope with depression

If you suffer from depression, there are tips to help you overcome your condition rather than feeling overwhelmed by it.

1. Do things that make you happy

Depression is often linked to not wanting to participate in activities that often bring you joy. Instead of giving in to fatigue, push back and do something that makes you happy. Go for a walk, plant flowers, do yoga, or ride your bike. These simple activities are a way to lift your mood and energy levels to help you cope with depression. 

2. Exercise to boost your mood

Physical activity is a great way to keep your body healthy. It helps you battle conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Exercise allows you to sleep better.

Exercise also helps people feel better. Physical activity releases endorphins which improve your mood. With continuous physical activity, your body releases growth factors which help new nerve cells grow and make new connections. When this happens in the brain, it improves your mood.

3. Eat a healthy diet

Your diet affects you physically and mentally. While there isn’t a specific “depression diet,” there are foods that may ease your symptoms or put you in a better mood. Consider the following good food choices:

  • Foods rich in antioxidants
  • Complex carbohydrates
  • Healthy proteins
  • Vitamins B and D
  • Selenium-rich foods
  • Omega-3 fatty acids

4. Go outside

While excess sun exposure can damage your skin, spending time in the sunlight can improve your mood. Exposure to sunlight may help release serotonin which boosts your mood and helps you feel calm and focused. Alternatively, decreased sun exposure can cause a drop in serotonin levels and trigger depression.

5. Reach out to your support system

Too often people with depression are embarrassed or choose to suffer in silence. If you are overwhelmed by depression, reach out to your friends and family for emotional support, find a support group, or seek professional help

At Salveo Integrative Health, we strive to provide a tranquil and comforting environment for our community. You are not alone in your battle against depression. Take back the control in your life.

Get depression treatment with Salveo Integrative Health

Depression impacts your everyday functioning. It keeps you from functioning and thriving at your fullest potential. The experienced professionals at Salveo Integrative Health are ready to help. 

Our team specializes in behavioral and mental health treatments. Our treatments for depression include therapy and our flagship non-medicated Neurostar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy. TMS therapy is designed for patients with major depressive disorder who have tried medications and other therapies without success.

For depression treatment in Lawrenceville or Flowery Branch, GA, contact us today. Book an appointment with Salveo Integrative Health for help coping with depression.

The Role of Mental Health in Your Career

The Role of Mental Health in Your Career

In today’s world, many people lead busy lives. Between work, family, and social obligations, it is possible to carry a lot of stress and anxiety. An overload of responsibilities can take a toll on your mental health, especially if your profession is in a high-stress environment.

Professional tennis athlete, Naomi Osaka, faced an enormous amount of stress from the tennis industry and the media. The demands impacted her mental health, which was brushed off by those around her, and led her to briefly pull away from the tennis world. 

Professional athletes are not the only ones who experience the lack-of-understanding regarding mental health problems. The stigma surrounding mental health needs to be addressed, particularly in the workplace.

Mental Health and the Workplace

Let’s be honest, jobs can be tough and demanding, and, unfortunately, not all employers are accepting or understanding of mental health conditions. 

Ways Your Job Influences Your Mental Health

According to the CDC, 18.3% of US adults reported diagnosed mental illnesses in 2016, yet 71% experienced symptoms of stress. Signs of stress can include headaches, nausea, feelings of anxiousness, chest pains, and more.

When it comes to your career, stress and mental health can impact your performance. You may be less productive or engaged in your work. You may withdraw from coworkers or limit your communication with others.

Mental illness, such as anxiety or depression, has been linked to higher rates of disability and unemployment. Your mental health can interfere with your capacity to perform physical and cognitive tasks.

Effects of a Toxic Work Environment

Most of us spend the better part of our day working or focused on our careers. Working in a toxic or overly demanding environment that harms your health, happiness, or well-being can impact your mental health. The effects can leave you feeling tired, drained, anxious, or nervous. It can take a toll on your physical wellness too.

The effects of a poor work environment are not only seen from 9-5 or during the typical work hours. The results extend into your personal time too. You may experience feelings of low self-esteem and exhaustion or have conflicts with your friends and family.

When your mental health is affected, it is hard not to bring the effects of work home with you.

What to Do When Your Job Harms Your Mental Health

If your career is taking a toll on your well-being, consider the following steps to protect your mental health:

1. Practice Self-Care

Your mental well-being should be as much of a priority as your physical wellness. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it is self-care. Focus on yourself by:

  • Exercising
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Finding a way to relax and relieve your stress
  • Find a provider for talk therapy at a clinic like Salveo Integrative Health

2. Speak Up

Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself. Don’t make decisions that negatively impact your mental health. Advocate for your mental health, even if you are under pressure from your employer.

3. Set Boundaries

“No” is not just a word, but it is also a sentence. It is okay to say no and set boundaries when your mental health is on the line.

4. Maintain a Strong Support System

Surround yourself with friends, loved ones, and co-workers that you can lean on for support or a listening ear. A good support system is important for your recovery and your self-esteem. It can keep you from withdrawing into yourself and further damaging your delicate mental health. 

5. Remain Professional

When your mental wellness is at risk, you may feel negative, frustrated, or angry. Throughout everything, maintain a sense of professionalism. Don’t lower your standards or stoop to a lower level, even if those around you do. 

You will gain more respect and advocate for your cause better when you stay professional.

6. Leave

Unfortunately, even the best intentions and efforts do not always work in making a change in the workplace. If leaving your job is the only option you see, speak to a friend, family member, or mental health professional before making that leap. No one can make the decision for you or know what is right. However, your job should help you feel fulfilled rather than destroying your mental health.

How Companies Can Support Mental Health

It’s no coincidence that some companies maintain high morale and great performance rates from staff members. These organizations are committed to establishing a healthy work environment that promotes psychological wellness, open communication, and self-care. When employees feel respected, they are more likely to respect their bosses and perform at a higher level.

To support mental health among their employees, companies can learn more about mental health to understand how it affects employees and include mental health care within the benefits packages. Promote open communication to reduce the stigma and help employees gain access to mental health resources. 

Your employees are your most important assets and resources. Protect their mental and physical well-being.

Salveo Integrative Health can help you manage your job-related mental health stress. We provide mental health services in Lawrenceville and Flowery Branch, GA. We also provide telepsychiatry services throughout Georgia and North Carolina

Contact us today for help taking control of your mental health.

Addiction: Understanding the Causes & Treatments

Addiction: Understanding the Causes & Treatments

No one plans to become addicted to a substance, medication, or product. Usually, the first interaction or experience is voluntary before addiction takes over and reduces an individual’s self-control. It isn’t long before this chronic disease rules your life.

What Is Addiction?

Addiction is the inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior that is causing psychological or physical problems. Addiction does not just refer to dependence on substances such as drugs or alcohol. It may also refer to an activity or action such as gambling, eating, or working.

For this article, addiction refers to substance abuse or substance use disorder. Continue reading to learn more about substance abuse, the causes, and possible treatment options.

Substance Use Disorder

A substance use disorder is a type of addiction that involves uncontrolled use of a substance regardless of its harmful consequences. Individuals suffering from a substance abuse disorder have a deep focus on drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. The focus is so intense that it may interfere with the person’s daily life. Although the user may understand the harmful effects and the risk of problems, he/she continues to use the substance.

Causes

Addiction and substance use disorders are complex conditions that do not have simple explanations. There are many factors that play a role in the development of addiction.

  • Genetics – A person’s genes play a significant role in addiction. If a patient has family members with an addiction problem, he/she has an increased risk of developing an addiction. 
  • Environmental factors – A person’s environment plays a role in addiction development. This may include peer pressure, a lack of parental supervision, parental drug use or criminal activity, or living in a poor neighborhood.
  • TraumaChildhood trauma or negative experiences increase the risk of drug use at an earlier age and future addiction problems.
  • Mental healthMental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder are more likely to have a substance abuse disorder. Additionally, patients with conduct disorders or antisocial personality disorders have an increased risk of drug and alcohol abuse. 

It is important to note that a predisposition to substance abuse does NOT mean the patient will become addicted to alcohol or drugs.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

The signs of addiction may vary from patient to patient based on the substance used, family history, and individual circumstances. Typically, there are psychological, physical, and social signs of an addiction including:

  • An inability to stop using
  • Obsession with the substance
  • Taking risks
  • Taking larger doses of the substance
  • Dropping hobbies and activities
  • Secrecy
  • Denial
  • Financial problems
  • Having stashes of the product
  • Withdrawal symptoms
  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in appearance
  • Sleeplessness

Treatment for Addiction

At Salveo Integrative Health, we provide medication management, crisis services, and substance abuse treatment in Georgia and North Carolina to help patients manage and resolve their drug use and addiction.

Treatment Options

Addiction treatment is highly personalized. In some cases, addiction is a chronic disease that requires ongoing care. The first step is recognizing the problem and seeking help. 

Treatment approaches may include:

  • Detoxification
  • Medication-based treatment
  • Behavioral therapy
  • Counseling
  • Treatment for related mental health issues such as depression
  • Rehabilitation programs
  • Self-help groups

At Salveo Integrative Health, our providers work directly with patients to develop a holistic plan to approach treatment that is tailored for every individual. 

Telepsychiatry for Substance Abuse

In relation to substance abuse, Salveo Integrative Health offers telepsychiatry, medication management, crisis services, and substance abuse treatment. With telemed platforms, we can remove the barriers of traditional treatment for mental health concerns and substance use disorders. Using a secure platform, we can treat patients from the comfort of their homes. Patients access a mental health professional during a real-time virtual appointment.

Contact Salveo Integrative Health

If you or someone you know suffers from a substance use disorder, reach out to Salveo Integrative Health today! 

Mental Health Month: Tools to Thrive

Mental Health Month: Tools to Thrive

For years, there has been a stigma surrounding mental health. Many people have brushed it aside or have chosen not to talk about it. That only results in people hiding or feeling ashamed of their personal struggles without realizing they aren’t alone. 

This month, we are saying “no more” to the silence around mental health! 

Here, we will provide a general understanding of mental health, warning signs of a problem, and strategies for coping with mental illness.

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

This is the time to raise awareness about mental health. We can establish an understanding of the pain and struggles felt by all who endure the daily challenges of mental health issues. This is the time to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. 

For 2021, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is amplifying the message “You Are Not Alone.” Nearly 1 in 5 American adults live with mental illness.

No, you certainly are not alone.

In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of self-reported behavioral health symptoms and worsening depression, anxiety, and stress.

Mental Health vs Mental Illness

Your mental wellness affects your daily life, how you function, and your overall health. 

What Is Mental Health?

Your mental health refers to your personal emotional, social, and psychological wellness. Mental health influences your action, how you relate to others, how you think and feel. It is just as important in childhood as adulthood.

What Is Mental Illness?

Mental illness refers to mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders affecting a person’s mood, behavior, or thinking. Disorders may range from mild to severe. Common mental health conditions include anxiety, depression, substance abuse disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors.

Warning signs of a mental health problem include: 

  • Eating or sleeping changes
  • Pulling away from loved ones
  • Having little energy
  • Feeling hopeless or as if nothing matters
  • Having severe mood swings
  • Fighting with others
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Thinking of harming oneself or others

If you or someone you know has signs or symptoms of mental illness, consult a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Tips for Coping with Mental Illness

If you, a friend, or a loved one has been diagnosed with mental illness, you must process the diagnosis and learn how to live with it. Mental health affects everyone, regardless of diagnoses. There is no requisite necessary to speak with a therapist. 

At Salveo Integrative Health, our experienced mental health providers are available to help with your mental health concerns. Mental health care can be both preventative and reactive. In either case, the goal is to help patients thrive in their daily lives.

The following tips can be added to your mental health toolbox as you learn to navigate your mental illness and thrive:

Acceptance

A large part of a mental health journey includes a path toward acceptance. Accepting your diagnosis and your illness is a step toward self-love, strength, and wisdom. You must take responsibility for your health care and hold yourself accountable for your actions. Understand that you have choices and can take one step at a time toward healing and treatment. 

Your mental and physical health are connected. Accepting and taking control of your mental health diagnosis and treatment is a step toward a healthier body.

Deep Breathing

Have you ever noticed your breathing when you are relaxed? It is slow and even.

One of the best ways to manage your stress or problems is through breathing exercises. When you take deep breaths, messages are sent to the brain to calm down and relax. In turn, messages are sent throughout the body to decrease your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Breathing exercises can help you relax and can be done anytime and anywhere when you feel stressed or anxious. 

Cognitive Reframing

Cognitive or mental reframing is a technique for creating a new way of looking at a person or situation to change its meaning. In therapy, this can help someone take on a new perspective or see from a different point of view. You may ask questions, validate your emotions, or develop compassion for yourself.

When it comes to working through your own mental health, cognitive reframing can turn problems or negative thoughts into opportunities for growth. Don’t focus on limitations. Focus on your choices.

Seek Professional Help

Your mood or behavior should not interfere with your ability to work, interact with others, or function daily. 

If you feel your mental health slipping or experience lingering changes in your mood or behavior, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. At Salveo Integrative Health, we offer mental health treatment in Lawrenceville and Flowery Branch, GA. Additionally, our team provides telepsychiatry services throughout Georgia and North Carolina.

Contact Salveo Integrative Health

For Mental Health Awareness Month, help us increase awareness of the importance of mental health. Take control of your mental health care this month and beyond!

Contact Salveo Integrative Health today!

transcranial magnetic stimulation for severe depression

How NeuroStar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treats Major Depression

Imagine having severe depression and medication doesn’t help. That’s not a great thought, right? For some people, major depressive disorder is debilitating, causes mental and physical symptoms, and does not improve with treatment. 

Now, Salveo Integrative Health offers alternative treatment through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in Lawrenceville, GA

What is NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation and how does it help treat major depression?

Read on to learn more about the revolutionary TMS treatment and its effectiveness as a therapy for depression.

What Is Depression?

Depression is a serious mental illness that affects the way an individual thinks, feels, and acts. It causes intense feelings of sadness or loss of interest in normal activities.

Patients with depression experience mental and physical problems. Common depression symptoms often include:

  • Feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt
  • Disinterest in previously enjoyable activities
  • Appetite changes
  • Sleep changes
  • Lack of energy
  • Purposeless physical activity 
  • Trouble concentrating or focusing
  • Thoughts of suicide

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability in adults under 45 in the United States. Approximately 16.1 million American adults are affected with the disorder being more common in women than men. 

NeuroStar TMS Therapy with Salveo Integrative Health

Thankfully, patients with depression no longer have to suffer from extreme symptoms. At Salveo Integrative Health, we offer treatment options for depression. For patients with severe depression, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy may be a treatment option. TMS therapy helps improve your mood and quality of life so you feel more like yourself again.

What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. The areas of the brain thought to control mood are targeted which helps improve symptoms of depression

When used to treat depression, repetitive magnetic pulses are used so the treatment is sometimes called TMS or rTMS.

How NeuroStar Treatment Works

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is safe, easy, and painless. Each treatment session begins with a magnetic coil placed on the head. Magnetic pulses stimulate nerves in the regions of the brain that control mood and depression.

TMS therapy is intensive. Patients must adhere to a strict schedule of sessions for five days per week for several weeks. Sessions are approximately 40 minutes long.

Due to the strict nature of these appointments, Salveo Integrative Health wants to ensure patient comfort. TMS treatment sessions are pre-set so patients do not have to check in or wait in the lobby. 

Our team prepares the room ahead of time so patients can be seen directly. Our TMS room is spacious, cozy, and equipped with a TV to ensure patient comfort throughout the treatment session.

Does TMS Treatment Work for Depression?

Depression is a treatable condition. However, not every treatment works for every patient. When typical prescription antidepressant medications or talk therapies fail, TMS therapy may be a successful alternative. 

Patients who undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation treatments often experience long-term results. The average patient experiences a reduction in their depression symptoms for about a year.

Consult your Salveo Integrative Health psychiatrist to find out if TMS is right for you.

Treat Depression with Salveo’s NeuroStar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Don’t let your depression keep you from living life to the fullest. Let us help get your mental health back on track.

Contact Salveo Integrative Health

At Salveo Integrative Health, we offer NeuroStar TMS Therapy in Lawrenceville, GA

NeuroStar is an FDA-cleared, non-drug, non-invasive treatment for depression. It is NOT an ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). Patients who receive NeuroStar TMS treatments achieve long-lasting relief from their depression symptoms.

Contact Salveo Integrative Health today to learn more about transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression.

the difference between mental and behavioral health

What Is the Difference Between Mental and Behavioral Health?

When it comes to mental health care and therapy, some terms are used interchangeably. Behavioral health and mental health are two terms that are used interchangeably but have separate definitions and purposes.

What is behavioral health?

What is mental health?

What are examples of each?

What is a behavioral health doctor?

Read on to learn more about the differences between mental and behavioral health.

Behavioral Health vs. Mental Health

The biggest differentiation between the two terms is that behavioral health is a blanket term that encompasses mental health.

Defining Behavioral Health

Behavioral health relates to the connection between your behavior and the health of your mind, body, and spirit. It is the way your habits affect your mental and physical health and wellness. 

What Are Examples of Behavioral Health?

Behavioral health disorders include substance abuse, eating disorders, gambling addiction, and sex addiction. Each of these conditions stems from destructive behaviors. In children, behavioral health disorders may include ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, and autism. 

Behavioral health disorders involve a pattern of disruptive or destructive behavior that lasts several months or more. It isn’t a spur-of-the-moment action, but rather a pattern that has built up over time.

Professional behavioral health services may be needed to help the patient overcome these disorders and behaviors.

Defining Mental Health

Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, social, and psychological wellness. It affects how we think and feel, how we act, how we relate to others or handle stress. Mental health is important from childhood through adulthood.

What Are Examples of Mental Health?

Mental illness or mental health conditions refer to disorders of an individual’s mood, behavior, or thinking. Mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors.

Is a Behavioral Disorder a Mental Illness?

While mental disorders are behavioral disorders, not all behavioral issues are mental illnesses. 

Behavioral health is the blanket term that includes mental health. For mental disorders or illnesses, internal psychological or physiological factors dominate. In behavioral conditions, external or sociological factors play a role.

What Is a Behavioral Health Doctor?

A behavioral health doctor looks at and addresses the “behaviors” that caused a specific disorder or condition.

There are a number of therapists and doctors who provide mental and behavioral health treatment. You need to find the one who offers the right type of therapy for you. Psychiatrists, psychologists, holistic doctors, and primary care physicians can offer treatments for mental and behavioral health concerns.

Behavioral and Mental Health Care

At Salveo Integrative Health, we have a team of psychiatrists, therapists, and nurses who specialize in behavioral and mental health services. We provide care in a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere so that families and individuals can find tranquility while focusing on their needs.

In addition to psychiatry and counseling services, we provide treatment anxiety; depression; substance abuse; behavioral health issues; LGBTQ concerns; grief; and more. 

Salveo Integrative Health

For mental and behavioral health care in Lawrenceville, GA, Flowery Branch, GA, or North Carolina, contact the team at Salveo Integrative Health.

Contact Salveo Integrative Health today!

effects of TMS treatment for depression

Understanding the Effects of TMS Treatment

The exact cause of depression is unknown. However, the leading scientific theory is that depression is caused by an imbalance in the brain. The neurotransmitters or chemical messengers that send signals are imbalanced. 

According to the WHO, more than 264 million people worldwide suffer from depression.

If you suffer from depression, you may have tried various courses of treatment including antidepressant medications. For qualified patients, an alternative treatment called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation may help improve the imbalance and improve your mood.

Salveo offers NeuroStar TMS therapy in Lawrenceville, GA. Salveo is a Neurostar Gold Circle Provider, which means we have performed over 500 treatments in the last 12 months. The patients we have treated with TMS have reported positive changes and effectiveness after completing the full series of treatment sessions. 

Read on to learn what TMS therapy is, how it works, and what the effects of treatment are for patients with depression.

What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy?

As a non-invasive treatment, TMS uses repetitive magnetic pulses to stimulate nerves in the brain. This helps reduce and treat the symptoms of depression.  

Understanding TMS Treatment

Treatment is safe, easy, and painless. To start a treatment, a magnetic coil is placed on the head. The pulses stimulate nerves in the area of the brain thought to control mood and depression. 

Treatment plans may be intensive requiring sessions five days per week for several weeks to achieve the desired results. Each session may last 20-50 minutes.

Purpose and Uses of TMS Therapy

Depression can be damaging to the brain. It can physically shrink the brain, cause inflammation, restrict oxygen, and cause structural and connective changes. Patients who suffer from depression are affected physically and mentally. Treatment is necessary for improvement. 

TMS treatment is effective and can be used for patients with major depression when antidepressant medication is unsuccessful.

Does TMS Therapy Work?

The exact biology of why TMS works to stimulate the nerves and improve mood is unknown. When properly placed, the magnetic stimulation affects how the patient’s brain works. As a result, it positively impacts the patient’s mood.

How does TMS Treatment Help?

Depression is treatable. However, for some patients the typical medications or talk therapies may not work. When traditional treatments have been tried unsuccessfully, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is an alternative.

benefits of TMS treatment for patients with depressionBenefits of TMS Treatment

TMS therapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment for depression. Additional benefits of therapy include:

  • Safe
  • High success rate
  • Long-term results
  • Possible insurance coverage
  • Use for patients with major depression

Risks of Treatment

Since it is not a drug or medication, patients experience fewer side effects. The most common side effects are headache, lightheadedness, or discomfort at the treatment site. These are temporary and should subside quickly.

TMS Therapy with Salveo Integrative Health

At Salveo Integrative Health in Lawrenceville, GA, we offer mental and behavioral health services including Neurostar TMS therapy for patients with depression.

NeuroStar TMS Therapy

NeuroStar treatment uses a magnet similar to the strength of the one used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. The magnetic fields stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain where mood is controlled. The magnetic pulses positively impact the neurotransmitter levels and improve mood.

NeuroStar treatment works for patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It is FDA-approved as a depression treatment, even after patients have taken antidepressant medication.

Schedule an Appointment

At Salveo Integrative Health, we put your mental health first! For qualified patients with depression, we offer TMS treatment in Lawrenceville, GA

 TMS patients have pre-set appointment times so they do not have to wait in a lobby or worry about checking in. The treatment room is prepared ahead of time so patients can be seen directly without any disruptions. The TMS room is spacious and cozy. It is equipped with a TV so patients are comfortable and at ease during their treatment sessions.

Contact us today to see if TMS services are the right fit for you.

tips to improve your mental health in 2021

Tips to Improve Your Mental Health in 2021

Let’s be honest. 2020 was challenging. The year brought about changes, obstacles, and a new “normal” for everyone. For many, the rollercoaster year added unnecessary stress and problems affecting mental health in many ways.

Importance of Mental Health

Your mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social health. It affects how you think, feel, act, respond to stress, relate to others, and more. Your mental health impacts your everyday life and plays a role in your overall health.

Individuals with mental illnesses such as depression are at risk of physical health problems such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. Similarly, poor physical health can increase the risk of mental illness.

This year, take charge of your mental and overall health. Read on to discover the impact your mental health has on your body and a few simple tips to improve your mental health in 2021.

Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

Value Yourself

Your self-esteem is how you perceive and value yourself. Low self-esteem is not a mental health problem itself. However, if your self-esteem has been negatively impacted for a long period of time, it can lead to problems such as anxiety and depression.

Improving yourself in any way first starts by valuing yourself, knowing you are important, and promising to take the necessary steps to take care of yourself. Treat yourself with respect and kindness. Find a hobby. Take the time to focus on yourself!

exercise to take care of your physical and mental health

Take Care of Your Body

As mentioned above, your physical and mental health are connected. To help improve your physical well-being and increase your energy levels, maintain the following habits:

  • Eat healthy foods
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Exercise daily
  • Get enough quality sleep
  • Avoid cigarettes
  • Minimize your alcohol use and avoid non-prescribed drugs

relieve your stress

Find an Outlet for Stress

Stress! With busy lifestyles, demanding jobs, family obligations, and the current global pandemic, stress is weighing on many people. The important point is to find an outlet so that you do not become overwhelmed and overcome by stress. Exercise. Do yoga. Practice deep breathing. Set aside time for yourself. 

Whatever you choose to do, set aside time each day to unwind in order to protect your mental and physical health. 

set realistic goals to maintain your mental health

Set Realistic Goals

Too often people set unrealistic expectations for themselves and they burn out or get frustrated. Consider the following tips when setting your goals:

  • Start small with one or two things to accomplish each day. Then, build from there. 
  • Determine your short- versus long-term goals.
  • Be SMART. Establish specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-based goals.
  • Lay out your plan in smaller pieces or in steps.
  • Track your progress.
  • Do it with a friend or partner so someone can encourage you and hold you accountable.
  • Stay positive!

salveo integrative health in flowery branch and lawrenceville ga

Seek Help

If you feel your mental health slipping or are struggling with anxiety, depression, or substance abuse issues, don’t wait. Instead, seek help from a psychiatrist in Lawrenceville or Flowery Branch, GA.

Salveo Integrative Health is a team of psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, and mental health professionals. Our comfortable, relaxing atmosphere allows families and individuals to find tranquility while focusing on their needs.

In addition to psychiatry and counseling services, we provide treatment and therapies for anxiety; depression; substance abuse; behavioral health issues; LGBTQ concerns; grief; and more. Contact Salveo Integrative Health today!