What Are Some of the Unique Aspects of Adult Behavioral Health?
The healthcare community generally recognizes behavioral health as a branch of healthcare that deals with patient behavior and how it impacts overall well-being. Many of the characteristics of child, adolescent, and adult behavioral health are similar. But behavioral health in adults has some of its own unique aspects as well.
The Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders
At Horizon Health, we tend to take a more holistic view of behavioral health. Like so many of our clients, we recognize that link between behavior and thoughts/emotions.
That link suggests the possibility of behavioral health issues in some adults being tied to mental health disorders such as:
- depression and anxiety
- bipolar disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- schizophrenia
While it is possible for both adolescents and children to demonstrate ties between behavioral health and mental health disorders, the prevalence of underlying mental health problems is higher in adult patients.
Simultaneous Substance Abuse Issues
The possibility of substance abuse is something else behavioral health providers cannot ignore. It seems as though Americans are using mind-altering substances at a higher rate than ever before. Doing so can have a profound impact on behavioral health.
Unfortunately, good behavioral health can be very difficult to achieve without addressing substance abuse. Furthermore, the chances of a patient’s behavioral health issues being linked to their substance abuse are pretty high. Dealing with one while ignoring the other generally doesn’t work.
The Existence of Underlying Trauma
Many adults dealing with behavioral health issues have experienced significant trauma. A patient’s trauma might be recent. It might date back to incidents from years ago – even as far back as childhood. Trauma can be caused by all sorts of things including accidents, natural disasters, physical abuse, and more.
The older a patient is, the more likely they are to have experienced some sort of trauma in the past. Where there is more than one trauma to deal with, behavioral health becomes more delicate and complicated.
Patients with past traumas may need specialized behavioral health treatments that would never be offered to children and adolescents. Remember that younger brains are still developing. Traumas may be easier for younger patients to overcome.
A Wider Range of Treatment Approaches
Behavioral health services designed for adult patients may involve a combination of therapies including prescription medications, psychotherapy, and even lifestyle changes. It is not uncommon for behavioral health professionals to develop specialized treatment plans utilizing different treatments to achieve different ends.
Again, the challenges of treating adult patients are such that multiple therapies delivered simultaneously are often the best way to achieve a positive outcome. Everything from cognitive behavioral therapy to medication management can be on the table.
Outcomes Are What Matter Most
No matter a patient’s age or their circumstances, outcomes are what matter most. To that end, we come alongside our clients as partners to offer better treatment supported by the highest standard of quality care. We aim to help our clients and their communities by partnering for a better experience, whether that be based on inpatient or outpatient care.
The Horizon Health team of experienced and knowledgeable professionals is standing by to assist your facility. Whether you treat adults exclusively or in concert with children and adolescent patients, it is important to approach behavioral health in adults with an understanding of its unique aspects.
We are a behavioral health management company that specializes in partnering with hospitals, and other healthcare providers. If we can help you improve your approach to adult behavioral health, we would relish the opportunity to do so.