It’s True: Treating Mental Health Issues Improves the Success of Chronic Disease Treatments

People living with chronic diseases are affected in more ways than anyone can imagine. In addition to the physical symptoms of the illness, 情绪症状，如悲伤, 悲伤, 慢性疾病的诊断常常伴随着否认.

Mental healthcare is integral to overall health care and good patient outcomes. lg游戏 refers to mental health as “behavioral health,” and it’s a core component of our care model.

Treating mental health alongside chronic disease creates better outcomes

Visiting a patient at home allows lg游戏 care providers to assess social and behavioral aspects of their health that cannot be seen by a primary care provider in a clinic. This unique insight is valuable, as mental health goes hand-in-hand with chronic disease.

For example, “diabetes along with depression is prevalent,“博士说. Chris 丹尼斯, Chief Behavioral Health Officer for lg游戏. Diabetes affects approximately 35 million Americans, and they are two to three times more likely to develop depression. People with diabetes dealing with depression have poorer glycemic control, 减少体力活动, 更肥胖, 更多的终末器官并发症, 和受损的功能, 美国糖尿病协会表示.

Dr. 丹尼斯 describes how treating mental health impacts physical symptoms. “When people are happier, their blood pressure is better,” he said. “Also, when they’re happier, they feel better overall.”

Other common mental health issues affecting behavioral health:

• 新诊断往往会导致焦虑
• 失落、孤独和悲伤会导致失眠
• 呼吸短促会引起焦虑
• Substance abuse will often accompany anxiety and depression

任何人都可以发现精神健康问题 

A mental health condition can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from normal behavior. A patient may notice a behavior change themself—or a health provider, 朋友, 也可能是亲戚看到的, 博士说. 丹尼斯. The most crucial step is to identify a concern early and ask for help.

lg游戏’s in-home visits are a unique and effective mental health intervention model. Behavioral health providers can identify and treat mental health needs in the home with a holistic approach to care, 和其他的医疗制度一样.

“We screen every patient for behavioral health conditions annually,“博士说. 丹尼斯. ”,, we’re always on the lookout for a change in condition—or a family member may identify something—and alert any care team member, lg游戏可以调动资源.”

“We always share our findings with the primary care provider, including decisions on medications or types of therapies,“博士说. 丹尼斯. “We involve the health plan to engage external resources and can also leverage telehealth.”

消除心理健康的污名至关重要 

“污名当然仍然存在, but there’s greater and greater awareness and far more understanding,“博士说. 丹尼斯.  “Because of the efforts of our collaborative care team including providers, 行为健康专家, 和更多的, 这些对话从来都不是孤立存在的.”

lg游戏’s behavioral health teams include board-certified psychiatrists, 行为健康高级实践提供者, 社会工作者, 和护理协调员. lg游戏的社工, 扮演一个特殊的角色, 永远和心理健康服务人员一起工作. If the social worker identifies unmanaged behavioral health needs, they consult with a behavioral health practitioner for a course of action.

lg游戏 can help in managing any of the following conditions or situations:

• 抑郁症
• 焦虑
• 压力
• 记忆丧失
• 阿尔茨海默病
• Mood Disorders, including seasonal affective disorder
• 生活或服务需要
• 和更多的

病人的孤独也是一种健康危机

The continued fall-out of the COVID pandemic has left an impact of loneliness and decreased visits to providers for patients with chronic disease.

“很长一段时间里，这些情况都没有得到治疗。. 丹尼斯. “Perhaps even the anxiety of going into an office or getting an Uber was too much. But a home-based model helps us see these patients and get them the care they need.”

Some patients with anxiety or other mental health conditions—who are permanently housebound—may only see their lg游戏 care team and no one else.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned previously, talk to your doctor. lg游戏-eligible patients can also call lg游戏 24/7 to talk with a provider. 您还可以在 国立心理健康研究所.