Melissa Fisher, NP, PPG - Family Medicine, reflects on an experience that gave her a new perception of mental healthcare and shares practical advice for those seeking treatment to manage anxiety or depression.
Changing paces
I have been in the healthcare field for over 20 years across various roles and have had the privilege of caring for many patients. Mental health wasn't something I was initially passionate about, until I was asked to help out at the Parkview Behavioral Health Institute (PBHI) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It was an incredibly challenging period to be a healthcare worker for so many reasons. We were caring for very sick patients who were going through some of the most emotional and vulnerable moments of their lives. Admittedly, when this opportunity arose, the pandemic had also taken a heavy toll on me both physically and emotionally. During this time, I was also in school to be a nurse practitioner and knew that mental health would be vitally important to everyday patient care, but it was out of my comfort zone. I hadn't had any mental health experience leading up to this transition.
At Parkview Behavioral Health, I learned a great deal about mental health and cared for people from all walks of life. I once had a patient tell me that they "just want to be treated like a normal person and not like someone with mental health issues."
This resonated with me as I thought about how individuals with mental health issues are treated differently from those without these conditions. From that point on, I became passionate about destigmatizing mental health.
Seeking treatment
Many people you see and interact with every day are living with anxiety or depression. You may not realize it, because many are being treated effectively. Because these conditions aren’t always openly talked about, it can seem like they’re less common than they really are—in reality, they affect a large part of the population. Generally, people don't ask for mental health treatment until they are at the point of desperation. This hesitancy is often due to stigma, fear of judgment, various preconceived ideas about mental health, and concerns about what others would think of them.
I'm currently working in family medicine, and I remain an avid advocate for taking care of your mental health. I ask every patient who comes into my office if they are experiencing any anxiety or depression. It's amazing how just asking those candid questions encourages people to open up. I have had several patients who would not have mentioned their concerns without asking. These individuals were very grateful to get treatment and improve their mental health.
The goal of treatment is always to help you feel more like yourself, with steady, manageable everyday highs and lows rather than extreme fluctuations. It’s normal to feel happy, and it’s normal to feel sad—but those ups and downs shouldn’t feel overwhelming or out of control. I urge everyone to check in with themselves and see where they are mentally.
Medication guidance
Studies have shown that counseling paired with medication has been the most effective in treating mental health; however, it is important to know that either treatment individually can positively impact your mental health. If you’re considering pharmaceutical therapy, here’s what you should know:
-
Medications should not make you feel like a “zombie.” If they do, that medication or dosage is not right for you. You should feel like yourself when taking medication. You should not feel uninvolved in your life or like you don’t care.
-
Starting medication does not mean that you will be “stuck” on it for life. If medication is no longer needed, there is a process to wean off prescriptions. It is important to note that medication is recommended for at least 6 months before trying to wean off and should be done with the help of a healthcare professional.
-
Medications for anxiety and depression are safe for long-term use without being habit-forming.
-
Stopping medication “cold turkey” is not recommended. These drugs are not addictive, but if stopped abruptly, they can result in flu-like symptoms and just feeling unwell. Always speak with your primary care or mental health provider before discontinuing treatment.
-
Medications classified as “antidepressants” are also used to treat anxiety. They work on the same brain chemicals—especially serotonin—that regulate mood and worry. These medications are considered the first-line pharmaceutical therapies for both conditions.
-
Many people start medication and stop it too soon, believing that it is not working. However, often the medication has not had enough time to work. It can take 2-3 weeks for some medication effects to become noticeable, and up to 6 weeks for the full effect of some doses.
-
Know what side effects to look out for. Nausea and headache can be common when starting medications, but these side effects usually go away the longer you are on the medication.
-
Unfortunately, suicidal thoughts can also be a rare side effect of many antidepressants. If this happens, stop taking the medication immediately. If the thoughts are severe, go to the emergency room. Again, this is very rare but is more common in younger individuals.
Final thoughts
I often remind patients that if they had high blood pressure, they wouldn’t think twice about treating it—so why is caring for our mental health any different? Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.
If you or someone you know is struggling, don't hesitate to seek help. Speak with your primary care provider or reach out to our mental health specialists at Parkview Behavioral Health Institute. PBHI offers personalized inpatient and outpatient care to those who are struggling with mental health issues. Call the PBHI HelpLine at 260-471-9440 or 1-800-284-8439 to receive an assessment or learn more about our services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you need help scheduling an appointment or establishing care with a provider, our Access Center can help. Call any time, at 877-PPG-TODAY or 877-774-8632 for assistance.
