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

Suicide Rates During COVID: Reviewing New Research

COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of people’s lives, including their mental health. Increased social isolation, constant health anxiety, and financial hardships have caused many to feel the absolute worst of the pandemic. This has caused a growing concern over the impacts of COVID on mental health. But has there been an increase in suicide rates during COVID?

We’re reviewing the latest data on suicide rates during COVID. During a public health crisis like this, the more information that you have, the better. And while you’re taking care of your physical health, we want to help you find ways to look after your mental wellbeing as well.

Contents

Are Suicide Rates Increasing During COVID?

A rise in suicide rates following a viral outbreak is not uncommon. During the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918, the U.S. reported an increase in the number of suicides. Hong Kong also observed an increase in suicides during the 2003 SARS outbreak, and various countries in West Africa reported spikes in suicides during the Ebola epidemic.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts have warned about the effects it could have on mental health. And this concern does not only extend to those with pre-existing mental health conditions that have been hit hard by the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in June of 2020, nearly 40% of all U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse. Of that 40%, 31% reported suffering from anxiety or depression symptoms, and 11% said they had seriously considered suicide. While this data is from last year, there is more recent research into the suicide rate during COVID to be examined.

A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine examined the suicide rates since COVID. They found that across virtually all U.S. states, COVID suicides have been on the rise. The study also found that specific groups of people accounted for a larger proportion of the COVID suicide rate. Those groups included the elderly, unemployed, minorities, healthcare workers, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions.

According to the evidence, several risk factors caused the increase in suicide rates during COVID. Those included:

Social isolation
24/7 media coverage
Increased firearm sales
Financial strain
Long COVID symptoms
Inability to receive adequate mental health care

Any one of these risk factors can cause someone to suffer from mental or emotional distress. Left untreated, this can turn into mental illness, which can lead to suicidal thoughts. However, this progression doesn’t happen overnight. For most, suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide is the result of a gradual decline in mental health. Understanding the signs of COVID depression and other pandemic-related mental illnesses can help you spot this decline before it becomes serious.

COVID Depression Symptoms

The stresses and hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic can affect people in different ways. This has not only caused an increase in the suicide rates during COVID, but other mental illnesses as well. Specifically, the most common mental illnesses observed in the last year are COVID depression and anxiety. While every mental illness or emotional distress has its specific symptoms, there are a few universal warning signs to look out for. Those include:

Feeling helpless or hopeless
Having little or no energy
Constantly worrying
Suicidal thoughts
Using drugs or alcohol to cope
Loss of appetite or changes in diet
Feeling on edge

If you notice any of the above warning signs, you may be at an increased risk for suicide or further mental illness. With an increase in suicide rates during COVID, the risks of untreated mental or emotional distress are serious. Getting help for mental illness doesn’t have to be hard, and in fact, it’s your best way at helping to lower the COVID suicide rate.

What Can You Do About a Rise in Suicide Rates During COVID?

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide during COVID, seeking treatment is your best option for a healthy recovery. COVID has put a strain on every aspect of life. But the coronavirus pandemic does not have to make it harder to get mental health treatment. At our Florida mental health treatment center, we do everything in our power to mitigate COVID risk while serving our Port St. Lucie community.

Dealing with the stresses of the COVID pandemic is a central focus for many treatment programs. This is especially important for those who may be at higher risk for COVID suicides, such as those with pre-existing mental health conditions. These types of programs can help you find healthy, safe coping mechanisms to deal with the stresses and hardships involved with COVID.

For those who may have turned to substance use as a coping mechanism, a dual diagnosis program is typically the best approach. These programs offer patients a way to safely heal from both mental health and addiction struggles. Moreover, we also offer a way for patients to safely detox from drugs and alcohol under supervision, which greatly reduces the risk for relapse. After detoxing, patients can receive treatment for the underlying causes of their addiction. This ensures that once treatment is over, you don’t turn back to drugs and alcohol to cope.

Whatever treatment method you need, finding it doesn’t have to be difficult. Thankfully, Port St. Lucie Hospital offers all of the previously mentioned treatments and is open and ready to help you on your way to recovery.

Mental Health Help and Suicide Prevention in Port St. Lucie, Florida

If you or a loved one is suffering from suicidal thoughts or COVID depression, the time to get help is now. At Port St. Lucie Hospital, located in sunny South Florida, we work with our patients to prevent suicide and suicidal ideation. This starts with our uniquely tailored mental health and addiction services.

We understand that no two patients are created the same. That’s why we offer several crisis care services and other treatments to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Other treatments available for our patients include:

One-on-one counseling
Support group sessions
Stress management skill-building
Family education
Recreational therapies

Our treatment staff is made up of a world-class team of mental healthcare professionals. This includes counselors, psychotherapists, nurses, and support staff, all of whom are dedicated to your recovery. At Port St. Lucie Hospital, we offer our patients a supportive environment where they can connect with others and find peace of mind.

While there has been a steady increase in suicide rates during COVID, they don’t have to continue. Asking for help is difficult, but Port St. Lucie Hospital is here to keep you safe during these unprecedented times. If you are having suicidal thoughts, you can reach out to us at (772) 238-7734. You can also contact us through our confidential contact form to get in touch with us online today.