What are the treatment options available for mental health disorders?
This article is part of a 3-part series and should be used to guide your discussions with a mental health professional.
Part 1 – Do I have a mental health disorder?
Part 2 – Where do I seek help?
Part 3 – What are the treatment options available for mental health disorders?
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There are a variety of different treatment options for different mental health conditions. Whether you’re currently receiving treatment, have stopped treatment or are just looking for more information on different treatment options, this guide will provide some information on what you can expect from different treatment options.
Medication
When individuals think of treatment for mental health conditions, they generally assume that some medication will be involved. Depending on your condition, medication may be offered as a treatment option to help manage some of the symptoms you are experiencing. Medication may also be used to complement any psychotherapy you may be undergoing.
However, medication is not a necessary requirement for mental health treatment. If medication is offered, your mental health professional will discuss the side effects and other options with you. You may have to try multiple medications to find the right fit. Some common types of medication are listed below.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are generally used to treat depression and anxiety. There are different types of antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which work in a similar fashion.
SSRIs and SNRIs have fewer side effects than previous types of antidepressants. However, some individuals respond better to certain individuals than others.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are prescribed for the management of psychosis. It can be used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and PTSD and can also be used to complement antidepressants in the treatment of depression or along with mood stabilisers to treat bipolar disorder.
Symptoms such as agitation and hallucinations may reduce within days of commencing antipsychotics, but full effects may not be seen for a few weeks. Individuals respond differently to different antipsychotics. Please consult your mental health professional for advice on changing antipsychotics.
Anti-anxiety medications
Anti-anxiety medications are used to reduce symptoms of anxiety. The most commonly prescribed type are benzodiazepines. They can be used alongside antidepressants to treat certain mental health conditions.
It is possible to become tolerant to benzodiazepines over time, as such, doctors generally only prescribe benzodiazepines for a short period of time.
Mood stabilisers
Mood stabilisers are generally used to treat bipolar disorder, and can also manage mood swings for other mental health conditions.
Medication can cause improvements in conditions that make the individual believe they no longer require medication. Please do not stop your medication or change your dosage without seeking advice from your mental health professional.
You can also refer to our Q&A post regarding medication for mental health treatments, answered by Dr Daniel Kwek, a consultant psychiatrist from NTFGH.
Psychotherapy
For many mental health conditions, psychotherapy is an important part of your treatment plan. Psychotherapy can be provided in an individual or group setting, and certain therapies can even involve your family or partners.
There are a variety of psychotherapy approaches, and you may be able to discuss your preferred approach with your mental health professional. Different therapists may be experts at different types of therapies or have different styles that may suit you better.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy emphasises the identification of unconscious thought patterns in current thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It aims to help the patient understand and better manage your emotional problems by identifying past unresolved conflicts.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps those with mental health conditions identify and change inaccurate or distorted perceptions they have about themselves and the world around them. The aim of this therapy is to improve emotional regulation and develop personal coping strategies.
CBT can be used for a range of disorders, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse and eating disorders. CBT can also be used as a sole treatment for individuals with certain mental health conditions who are unable or unwilling to take medication.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a modified version of CBT that was originally intended to treat individuals with a borderline personality disorder. It builds on the idea of bringing together two key pillars – acceptance and change, in order to develop healthy coping mechanisms, regulate their emotions and improve interpersonal relationships.
Techniques used in DBT include:
Developing mindfulness skills
Improving distress tolerance
Improving positive communication
DBT involves different settings, including group therapy, individual therapy and phone coaching. DBT can be an effective treatment for individuals with ADHD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, OCD and suicidal behaviour, among others.
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
While CBT focuses on problems and situational difficulties faced by the individual in therapy, SFBT is a relatively new type of therapy that focuses on strengths and resources in an individual’s life. SFBT aims to identify and develop skills needed for change by focusing on the individual’s present circumstances and future goals.
SFBT can be used to treat a variety of issues, including addiction and social issues such as family dysfunction or relationship issues. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies to improve the quality of life for those with mental health disorders.
Supportive Therapy
Supportive therapy is one of the most commonly used psychotherapies. It relies on a supportive relationship between the individual and the therapist. Supportive therapy encourages the expression of feelings, and therapists can provide help with problem-solving, in order to help regulate impulses and improve self-esteem.
Complementary therapies/treatments
Other therapies, such as art therapy and music therapy, can allow the expression and processing of feelings through alternate outlets. Assertiveness and social skills training, as well as peer support groups, are also useful in addressing and processing certain concerns or issues that do not require psychotherapy or medication.
Brain Stimulation Therapy
If medication and psychotherapy are not effectively assisting in managing your mental health condition, some individuals may consider brain stimulation therapy. The most common brain stimulation therapy is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is a non-invasive procedure using electrodes that has a same-day recovery period. ECT is generally used to treat severe, treatment-resistant depression, as well as some cases of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or suicidality.
Other brain stimulation therapies offered in Singapore include Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which is also non-invasive and offered as an alternative treatment for depression.
Hospital Treatment Programmes
If you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or others or are no longer able to care for yourself due to your mental health condition, you can proceed to public hospitals to receive immediate treatment through psychiatric hospitalisation. This will involve monitoring, medication and other necessary emergency care.
Hospital treatment can be both inpatient or outpatient, with a variety of different options dependent on your condition.
What now?
This 3-part guide was developed to support you in navigating your mental healthcare, whether you are facing mental health concerns, searching for services or alternative treatment options. This guide should be used to encourage conversations with your mental health professionals or be shared with friends and family who may have questions about getting help.
If you are the primary caregiver for an individual with a mental health condition, you can check out our podcast episode on being a caregiver.
If you need immediate support, please refer to the emergency resources available here.