What's serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome, or serotonin toxicity, is an excess of serotonin in the body.

How do you get serotonin syndrome?

Generally, mild and more severe cases of serotonin syndrome is caused by taking too much medication (or a combination of medications) that alter serotonin levels. For example, taking a combination of antidepressants, or taking antidpressants with pain pills may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

How common is serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome is not often reported. However, this condition is thought to be commonly overlooked and may therefore be underdiagnosed.

How do you know if you have serotonin syndrome?

Symptoms of mild serotonin symptoms are easy to miss, so it is important to be aware of the medications that can cause this condition. In general, symptoms may include tremors or involuntary muscle movements, excessive sweating, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, pupil dilation, fever, anxiety, confusion, and ultimately, seizures.

How long does serotonin syndrome last?

The length of serotonin syndrome depends on the severity of the case. Mild serotonin syndrome will resolve on its own within a few days as long as the medication causing the problems is stopped. More severe cases will require medical attention and may take a week or longer to resolve.

What is a co-occurring disorder?

A co-occurring disorder is a condition that exists secondarily to another major health issue. If we use this co-occurring disorders definition to look at mental illness and substance abuse, we can see that turning to drugs or alcohol, which then results in addiction, often happens simultaneously when a patient also has mental health concerns. Since one issue influences and worsens the other, we would call these co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders must be treated together through a specialized program to ensure full recovery.

Why is drug addiction considered a disease?

As with any disease, drug addiction is classified as such because it is a condition that can cause serious and numerous health complications. Additionally, drug addiction is considered a disease because it cannot simply go away on its own—instead, it needs to be treated by experts in the field.

Is alcoholism a mental illness?

Yes. According to the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a diagnosable mental illness that occurs in people who experience at least two of the 11 total criteria for this disorder. In fact, alcohol and mental illness have always been connected. Alcohol use can lead to mental health symptoms, and experiencing mental health distress without treatment can lead people to use alcohol as a way to “cope.”

What is a co-occurring disorder?

A co-occurring disorder is when you experience a mental health condition alongside another. If you have depression and anxiety, these would be co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders can be challenging to diagnose and end up putting people at a greater risk for developing addiction struggles as well.

Is addiction a mental illness?

Having an addiction to drugs or alcohol is actually a mental illness. This means that addiction is something that greatly impacts your day-to-day life. Additionally, the fact that addiction is a mental health concern proves that it cannot go away on its own—instead, your ability to heal from addiction and any other mental health concerns relies on professional treatment.

What does dual diagnosis mean in mental health?

When it comes to mental health, dual diagnosis indicates that there is a mental health concern on top of a substance use disorder. Dual diagnosis is meant to help people who need treatment for mental health conditions as well as addiction.

What is dual diagnosis?

Simply put, the dual diagnosis definition is that a patient has two or more diagnoses that require treatment. For example, struggling with addiction as well as anxiety would be a dual disorder. With dual diagnosis treatment, you will have the opportunity to heal from both conditions in addition to learning valuable skills to use if you experience symptoms in the future.

What are barriers to mental health care?

Apart from challenges in getting access to care as well as navigating insurance for mental health treatment, the biggest barrier to mental health care is a lack of mental health awareness. Mental health awareness is essential in understanding symptoms of different mental illnesses and actually finding treatment to make your life happier and healthier.

What are evidence-based practices in mental health care?

Evidence-based practices are approaches to mental health care that are scientifically supported and proven to help treat specific disorders and illnesses, such as addiction. Port St. Lucie uses evidence-based practices to provide the best care possible for all of our patients.

How do I take care of my mental health?

The best way to take care of your mental health is to receive professional help through treatments for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Professional programs, like those at Port St. Lucie Hospital, give you access to evidence-based treatments that are proven to help you learn the skills you need to manage various mental health conditions.

Why care about mental health?

As with your overall health, mental health influences the way that you function from day to day. This is why it is so important to care about mental health. If you do not take care of your mental health, you could find it challenging to work, build healthy relationships, and even leave your home.

Can you visit someone who is Baker Acted?

Yes, unless having visitors will be harmful to the person being treated. If a facility wants to restrict visitors from a patient, they must file a written notice documenting the refusal of visitation.

How do you Baker Act a minor in Florida?

Baker Acts must be imposed by the courts or law enforcement, or medical/mental health professionals. If a parent wants to have their child Baker Acted, they should petition the Clerk of Court or contact the police.

Do you call 911 to Baker Act someone?

If a person is actively endangering themself or others while showing symptoms of mental illness then the police can be called to manage the situation. Alternatively, a request can be turned into the court to ask that an individual is mentally evaluated due to safety concerns.

Can you Baker Act yourself?

Yes, a Baker Act can be voluntary. However, to willingly Baker Act yourself you must be considered capable of consenting to treatment. To Baker Act yourself, visit an Emergency Room and describe your symptoms to medical professionals. If necessary, the medical staff will request the Baker Act.

What happens after a Baker Act?

When a person is Baker Acted in Florida they are taken to a mental health hospital that is also a Baker Act receiving facility. A mental evaluation must be performed within 72 hours. After 72 hours if deemed mentally stable the person will be released. If further treatment is mandated, the individual can be admitted to a mental health facility for up to six months.

What does it take to Baker Act someone in Florida?

To be Backer Acted in Florida a person must meet certain criteria. The individual must be showing signs of mental illness, a failure to understand why an evaluation may be needed, and/or posing a threat to themselves or others. Usually, a Baker Act is used in response to a mental health emergency. A Baker Act can be started by medical professionals, the court system, and law enforcement.

What does Baker Acted mean?

Usually, being Baker Acted means that a person was admitted to a mental health hospital to be mentally assessed. The time a person can be held during the Baker Act is 72 hours.

DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?

Yes, we do take insurance, give us a call for a free insurance verification.

HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT LAST?

Treatment can vary from a few days to months. Research shows that the longer a person remains in treatment, the greater the likelihood that long-term recovery will result. As with most aspects of treatment (such as therapy types and program structures), determining ideal length of stay involves an analysis of a number of personal factors.

WHAT TYPES OF THERAPIES ARE USED IN TREATMENT?

Please see our treatments under Programs and Services here

WILL MY FAMILY BE INVOLVED IN MY TREATMENT?

Family involvement is an integral component of an effective treatment program. Though every recovery experience is unique and personal, most effective treatment programs will encourage strong family involvement.

WHAT ARE THE VISITING HOURS AT PORT ST LUCIE HOSPITAL?

Behavioral Services visiting hours, Wed 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Sat 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm, Sunday 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm

Adult Mental Health Services for Patients with Long COVID - Port St. Lucie Hospital, Inc.

Adult mental health services are proving to be a crucial part of learning how to live with the lasting effects of the Coronavirus. While much of the world is attempting to return to a new normal, many of those that contracted the Coronavirus are left with potentially lifelong effects. Understandably, the potentially debilitating health consequences of COVID and the uncertainty surrounding a timeline for recovery have left many “long haulers” with depression and anxiety. In addition, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to near-death experiences in hospital settings is surfacing in a post-pandemic environment.

The Coronavirus outbreak caused disruption to societies on a global scale. Stressors from isolation, economic concerns, and health scares resulted in a traumatized population in need of medical and psychological attention. In this aftermath, adult mental health services are playing a significant role in supporting an emotionally battered public who is struggling mentally.

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What Is Long COVID?

Long COVID refers to the remaining health effects that people are left with after a Coronavirus infection. Long COVID can affect anyone who has been infected with the Coronavirus, regardless of the severity of the disease. In fact, over 30 percent of those who had COVID are thought to have Long COVID symptoms. For some, these symptoms have been ongoing for years, and the medical community does not yet have any insight to offer as to when they may lessen.

The Effects of Long COVID on Mental Health

Chronic illness is taxing. However, chronic illness with no known treatment has resulted in a mental strain that compounds physical symptoms. These physical symptoms of Long COVID often include:

Exhaustion
Mobility issues
Brain fog
Chronic pain
Skin rashes
Inflammation
Breathing issues
Impaired organ function

On top of these symptoms, long haulers are also presenting with higher rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Unfortunately, these mental health conditions extend far beyond a bad mental health day to diagnosable mental illnesses.

COVID Depression

Long COVID patients are suffering from depression for several reasons. On one hand, lingering brain inflammation from the infection is resulting in depressive symptoms. For example, systemic inflammation is a frequently reported symptom among long haulers and results in psychological distress.

Additionally, depression can be due to situational effects. For example, adjusting entire lives around new limitations can directly contribute to low morale and depression. This is especially true for those who lack a support system in family or friends. Due to this, the availability of adult mental health services is imperative in assisting this population.

Coronavirus Anxiety

As seen with depression, chronic anxiety after having a COVID infection can be the result of physical ailments like inflammation, or traumatic experiences. Notably, anti-anxiety prescriptions increased during the start of the pandemic. However, a substantial proportion of anxiety disorders were diagnosed post-infection.

PTSD from COVID

Post-traumatic stress disorder is often discussed in relation to the military population. However, PTSD can occur to anyone after living through any type of traumatic event. During the height of COVID, many people experienced extended stays in the ICU. Additionally, countless witnessed deaths of friends and family members, often from a distance. Understandably, these encounters can be difficult to digest and often resurface in the form of nightmares, flashbacks, and other PTSD symptoms.

Fortunately, adult mental health services can treat the detrimental effects inflicted on the mental health of long haulers.

Adult Mental Health Services for Holistic Wellbeing

Ultimately, there is not yet a protocol for long haulers. In many ways, they are left to find their own way back to wellness. In this way, adult mental health services can bridge the gap between chronic illness and mental health. Additionally, treatment at an adult behavioral health center extends beyond the patient to the patient’s family and support system ensuring a well-rounded approach to improving mental wellness.

Several mental health modalities have been showing promise in treating trauma in Long COVID patients. These include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Individual and Group Therapy
Peer Support Groups

Many evidence-based treatments like CBT and ACT are giving COVID survivors the tools they need to work through chronic disease. However, social media platforms that offer peer support groups are also giving long haulers a voice and a place to share symptoms and stories. While these groups are helpful for sharing stories and establishing a common ground, they are not a replacement for evidence-based therapeutic sessions.

Adult Mental Health Services with a Trauma-Informed Approach

At Port St. Lucie Hospital, we offer adult mental health services with a trauma-informed approach. This means our professional treatment team takes past experiences into account when treating mental health disorders In this way, the patient and practitioner can work together to establish methods of coping with trauma so that the person does not have to experience re-traumatization.

At our South Florida behavioral center, you have options when getting help for mental health. To accommodate your needs we offer:

Adult Mental Health Program
Crisis Care Services (Emergency Services)
Dual Diagnosis
Medical Detox
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Senior Adult Mental Health Program

Regardless of which program is chosen, Port St. Lucie Hospital will give you a safe place to work through the emotions of living with chronic illness. If you’re in need of adult mental health services due to the Coronavirus, you can contact Port St. Lucie Hospital at 772-238-7426. Alternatively, you can use our confidential online contact form. Whichever way you choose to reach out, we’ll be ready to answer questions and get you started on the path toward recovery.