Archbold Medical Center| Archives Magazine | Summer 2018

18 ARCHBOLD MEDICAL CENTER MENTAL ILLNESS ACCORDING TO MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA, over 50 percent of American adults with a mental illness do not seek the treatment they need. Although discussing mental health may seem taboo, early intervention can help delay, prevent or reduce the severity of a mental illness. It’s common for individuals experiencing men- tal illnesses to begin demonstrating symptoms by the time they are 14 years old. And according to the American Psychiatric Association, 75 per- cent begin showing signs by the age of 24. Archbold Northside Center for Behavioral and Psychiatric Care works to pinpoint abnormal symptoms and treat patients as soon as possi- ble. Northside provides treatment for a range of problems, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. “Northside is a 24-hour inpatient facility that utilizes multidisciplinary and evidence-based therapy to care for those experiencing psychiat- ric or substance abuse crisis,” said Shelly Edwards, Northside’s administrator. Early signs are key Eugene Sun, MD, a psychiatrist at Northside, said that there are many gray areas in diagnosing mental illness, but certain symptoms stand out as a red flag. “Too much or too little sleep, social withdrawal, low to no energy, the feeling of numbness or that nothing matters, the feeling of helplessness or hopelessness, increased substance abuse, con- fusion, forgetfulness, edginess, anger, worry, fear, yelling or fighting with family and friends, severe mood swings that affect relationships, persistent thoughts or memories, hearing voices or believ- ing untrue things, and thoughts of self-harm can be concerning,” said Dr. Sun. “Experiencing one or more of these feelings or behaviors could be an early warning sign of a problem.” While it is important to identify these early symptoms, it is also key to address the topic appropriately. “It is important to approach the individual out of concern in a discreet setting by asking something simple, such as ‘Are you feeling poorly? Do you need someone to talk with?’” said Edwards. “Then ask if they need help to perform daily tasks, like tak- ing care of their kids or getting to work or school.” Care tailored to individual needs In addition to being a safe haven where patients can begin to address their psychiatric crises, Northside also works with patients who struggle with substance abuse. “Our 22-bed adult unit serves patients with mood and psychotic disorders, including depres- sion, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia,” Dr. Sun said. “We also offer medical detoxification for alcohol and substance abuse.” Although mental illnesses generally arise ear- lier in life, conditions like dementia and late-life depression can appear later. Northside offers an 18-bed geriatric/senior unit to serve patients over the age of 55 who experience agitation associ- ated with dementia, depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. Mental illnesses can often go undiagnosed and untreated because symptoms are not always hard and fast. “People often don’t get the mental health services they need because they don’t know where to start,” Edwards said. “But we want our community to know we are here to help you get the care tailored to meet your needs.” HELP 24/7 The Northside Crisis Help Line is a 24‑hour phone line that allows people to speak with a counselor to determine what level of care is needed. If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of mental illness, please call 800.238.8661 . Eugene Sun, MD Psychiatrist Shelley Edwards Northside Administrator Seeing the signs? WE CANHELP