Every day, thousands of people find themselves dealing with mental illness. The fact is that mental illness is a more prevalent issue than many would like to admit At the same time, people are gradually becoming more open about their problems with mental illness. This is in part because the world at large is beginning to realize that mental illness is just like physical illness — it isn’t something people can “snap out of”. It’s a serious issue, and can manifest itself in a number of ways. And just like physical illness, mental illness requires professional help. At times, this help is temporary, requiring a few visits and some coping mechanisms, or perhaps temporary medication. Other times, this illness is chronic; it requires lifelong maintenance. Sometimes, this maintenance involves medication. Other times, however, medication is not the answer. Many people find that talk therapy is more effective than medication. But talk therapy isn’t attainable for everyone. In this case, many find themselves turning to things like telemedicine psychiatry. Telemental health is a way of conducting therapy through things like video conferencing. Telemental health comparisons make it clear that this alternative to traditional mental health treatments is a great option for people experiencing certain limitations. Let’s look at the advantages of telemedicine, and why it could be for you or a loved one.
1. Chronic Physical Illness
Did you know that diagnosable mental illness is found in 30-35% of the chronically ill population? This is unfortunately true, and it does make sense. Many with chronic physical illness find themselves depressed due to the pain they experience. At the same time, it’s often not easy for them to leave the house, and as such there are many benefits of telehealth in these situations. Telemental health comparisons to traditional mental health treatments are clear in cases like these. By choosing telemental health in cases like these, you ensure that your or your loved one gets the treatment you need, while at the same time remaining where you must. It’s important that those with chronic physical illnesses stay in safe environments, without straining themselves. At the same time, it’s equally important that you tend to your mental health needs. Remember that a person with untreated mental illness is more likely to feel physically weak as well — a common symptom of depression. Don’t let a mental illness exacerbate a physical illness.
2. Long Commutes
The commute between a mental health professional’s office and home can be a long one, especially if you live in a remote area. While you can’t ignore a physical illness, it’s easy to put a mental condition on the backburner if you live in a remote area. As such, many people who live in remote areas and deal with mental illness choose not to receive treatment. This is in part due to the time spent traveling, and partially due to the amount of money spent on things like gas. Telemental health comparisons to traditional mental health treatments show that people are able to save travel expenses and time by video conferencing with mental health professionals rather than speaking to them in person. It’s no wonder that during an 18 month study, those with telepsychiatry appointments were more likely to keep their appointments than those with traditional in-person appointments.
3. Mental Health Problems
Yes, the same reason why people need to seek psychiatric help can be linked to why people don’t seek it. Often, those with mental health issues feel afraid of leaving their homes. Alternately, their problem could be as simple as them feeling embarrassed about potentially being seen seeking help. Telemental health comparisons show that some people are more comfortable talking to a doctor over video conferencing. They feel less judged, and are in their own spaces. This can make a big difference in the effectiveness of treatment. In fact, 21% of telemedicine patients have reported their treatment being of the same quality or of a higher quality than that experienced through in-person appointments.
