Behavioral Health

Behavioral health issues can have a direct negative effect on your daily life. For children and adults in and around Friend and Lincoln, Nebraska, board-certified nurse practitioners Ana Taylor, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Chantel Collier, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and the professional team of Complete Rural Medicine offer excellent help and care. When you’re ready to learn more, you can easily book a visit online or by phone.

What is behavioral health?

Mental health illnesses are problems caused by internal physiological or psychological conditions.

Put another way, behavioral health relates to the way your behavior connects to your body, mind, and spirit. While all forms of mental disorders are also behavioral disorders, not every behavioral health issue is a mental illness. 

Behavioral health issues display a pattern of self-destructive or disruptive behavior that exists for more than a few months and can occur in children or adults.

What are some common behavioral health issues?

There are numerous behavioral health issues that can change the way you live each day. Their impact on your life can range from mild to severe.

Substance abuse

People who abuse drugs or alcohol are suffering from a specific behavioral health issue that’s sometimes referred to as substance abuse disorder. Many people fall into addiction after initially trying to self-medicate to address unresolved mental health issues. 

Eating disorders

People with eating disorders have a skewed approach to food and nutrition and often cannot see themselves as others do. Examples of eating disorders include binge-eating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Kids and adults with ADHD often struggle to sit still, pay attention, and avoid risky behaviors. Their daily actions and behaviors make it hard to succeed at school and in social settings. 

Anxiety disorder

Kids and adults with anxiety disorder fear things that typically don’t provoke fear in others. Some kids can’t tolerate the thought of being away from their parents, while others are abnormally afraid of things like spiders or going to the dentist. 

Autism spectrum disorder

This disorder covers a wide range of behavioral issues. Some people with autism only experience mild symptoms like struggling to create strong social bonds with others. Others have debilitating symptoms that prevent them from living normal lives.

When should I seek medical care for behavioral health concerns?

Seek professional help as soon as you notice that behavioral health issues alter the course of your normal days and nights.

For kids, it’s often a teacher or caregiver who first notices that something is amiss. These professionals work with so many kids they can easily identify when one child’s behavior clearly is outside the norm.

Call Complete Rural Medicine today to schedule a visit. Online booking is also an option and takes just a few moments to complete.