Mental Health Counseling

Mental Health Counseling

The Kraft Group recognizes the term ‘mental health’ includes cognitive, behavioral, and emotional wellness. Mental health is not an isolated entity, it encompasses and effects our mind, body, and spirit. Mental health and wellness is just as important as physical health. And, just like physical health, it takes care and effort to maintain mental health. At The Kraft Group, we work from a preventative, wellness model, which means our focus is not on labeling or diagnosing. Rather, we focus on the person—our mental health counselors take time to learn about who you are and what your goals are. The diagnosis can be a valuable framework for treatment, but our priority is the person. Our team uses integrative approaches and interventions, to help clients reach their mental health goals and work towards preventing relapse.

What is Mental Illness?

Mental Illness comes in different forms and varying degrees of severity. Mental Illness is a condition that can negatively impact a person’s mood, thoughts, and/or behavior. There is still stigma surrounding mental illness even though many research studies have shown up to 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. It is likely if you have not experienced a mental illness personally, you may know or care for someone who does. Some examples of mental illness are:

  • Major Depressive Disorder

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Eating Disorders

  • Schizophrenia

  • Schizoaffective Disorder

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

  • Personality Disorders

  • Panic Disorder

What are the warning signs of mental illness?

In order to be diagnosed with a mental illness, a person must meet the criteria for that disorder as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Mental Illness can be genetic or hereditary, but this is not always the case. According to NAMI, common signs of mental illness in adults and teens can include:

  • Excessive worrying or fear

  • Feeling excessively sad or low

  • Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning

  • Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria

  • Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger

  • Avoiding friends and social activities

  • Difficulties understanding or relating to other people

  • Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy

  • Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite

  • Changes in sex drive

  • Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality)

  • Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia)

  • Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs

  • Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)

  • Thinking about suicide

  • Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress

  • An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance

    Full Article: https://nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms

While there are many online resources such as NAMI and other self-tests available, it is important to reach out to a professional when any signs or symptoms occur. The more preventative you can be, the better. While there is no cure for many mental illnesses, there is hope. Symptoms of mental illness can be managed and quality of life improved with counseling and/or medications. At The Kraft Group, we help coordinate psychiatric care, as needed, to ensure our clients get the best treatment possible.

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