Mental illness (also called mental health disorders) refers to a variety of health conditions that can affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and perceptions. While mental health concerns can come-and-go, they become significantly problematic when they cause persistent stress, interfere with relationships, and affect daily functioning. In most cases, medication, therapy, or a combination of both can help to manage mental illness and the associated distressing symptoms.
Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of – it is a medical problem, just like high blood pressure and diabetes. Specific diagnoses are based on criteria established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which contains information for diagnosing and understanding mental health disorders. Mental illness is treatable – the majority of individuals with mental illness continue to function in their daily lives.
Most often, the onset of mental illness happens gradually, with small changes in thinking, feeling, and behavior emerging over time. Some individuals may begin to recognize these changes in themselves, while other cases involve family, friends, teachers, and others noticing these emerging changes. Some early warning signs that may warrant further monitoring and evaluation include mood changes, sleep changes, appetite changes, loss of interest in activities, social withdrawal, problematic or illogical thinking, nervousness, unusual behavior, changes in school or work performance, and drop in functioning.
While the presence of symptoms alone cannot predict mental illness, it may indicate a need for further evaluation. If symptoms progress and begin to interfere with a person’s ability to function, then evaluation by a psychiatrist or mental health professional is especially warranted. As the safety of individuals is of the upmost importance, those with self-harm, suicidal, or homicidal thoughts or intentions require immediate attention. Recognition of developing symptoms and early intervention can help reduce the severity of illness and its impact on quality of life and functioning.
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who specialize in mental health, including both the psychological and physical aspects of mental illness. After completing general psychiatry residency training, and optional additional specialized training in other areas of psychiatry, most psychiatrists take voluntary examinations by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) to become a “board-certified” psychiatrist.
Dr. Lienhard is board certified in Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and Addiction Psychiatry. He is able to provide recommendations and treatment for the following mental health disorders and associated conditions:
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (e.g. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
Bipolar and Related Disorders
Depressive Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
Feeding and Eating Disorders
Elimination Disorders
Sleep-Wake Disorders
Sexual Dysfunctions
Gender Dysphoria
Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
Neurocognitive Disorders
Personality Disorders
Paraphilic Disorders
Parenting, Family, & Relationship Conflicts
Consultations & Second Opinions Regarding Diagnosis and Treatment
Other Mental Health Disorders
Psychotherapy (or Talk Therapy) refers to a talking relationship between a clinician and client. The main goal of psychotherapy is decreasing the distressing symptoms associated with mental illness as a means of improving the client's overall functioning and well-being. Psychotherapy can be done one-on-one, as a couple, with a family, or in a group. There are many forms of psychotherapy that can be applied based on the nature of the presenting problem, and the duration of psychotherapy can also be short-term (a few sessions) or long-term (months or years) based on the complexity of the issues. Confidentiality is an essential requirement of psychotherapy, as this promotes open, honest, and collaborative communication during sessions.
Medication management refers to the use of medication for treating health conditions. After completing thorough evaluations, psychiatrists can prescribe medications to help treat mental health disorders. Psychiatric medications can work beneficially by modulating chemical signalling and communication in the brain, which may reduce symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders. Clients taking long-term medication will need to meet with their psychiatrist routinely to monitor medication effectiveness and potential side effects. Medication will often be prescribed in combination with psychotherapy. Some examples of psychiatric medications include antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, sedatives, anxiolytics, and hypnotics.
In addition to medications and psychotherapy, there are a variety of psychosocial interventions that can be utilized to decrease stress and improve overall wellness. As healthy bodies foster healthy minds, taking care of the body through physical activity, well-balanced eating, adequate sleep, stretching, deep breathing, and meditation can all have beneficial effects on psychological well-being. Avoiding substance use, including alcohol and tobacco, and attending routine healthcare visits are other ways to promote healthy bodies and minds. Making time to unwind and engaging in enjoyable activities, as well as disconnecting from screens (phone, computer, TV), can also provide stress relief. Connecting with trustworthy others, including family, friends, classmates, co-workers, and community- or faith-based organizations, can provide another outlet for feeling expression and promotion of positive mental health.
Other treatments include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), deep brain stimulation (DBS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which are most often used to treat severe mental health conditions that have not responded to other treatments. As implementation of these treatments requires specialized equipment and protocols, they are not currently available as treatment options at Michael Lienhard Psychiatry L.L.C.
(T) 609-875-1308
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(E) info@mlpsychiatry.com
155 North Dean Street, Suite 3E
Englewood, NJ 07631
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