Healthcare For The Mind & Body - A Mental & Physical Health Connection

It's no secret that our mental health is very much connected with our physical health.

Personally, I see several different healthcare providers and specialists for my health. Some of these providers specialize in physical health and some are mental health specialists. Oh yes, I know what it's like to balance multiple healthcare providers, experience fatigue from what feels like too many appointments, and feel the effects that insurance copays and deductibles have on my wallet. This is the game we play when living with disability or chronic illness.

What happens when providers aren't communicating with each other, but you know that your mental health is affecting your physical health and vice versa? For example, are you or your loved one struggling to keep up with hygiene due to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or a disability like dementia? This can lead to skin conditions developing. Maybe you or your loved one struggle to have a healthy diet or excersice because, mentally, you don't feel well enough.

It's definately important to have a great Primary Care Practitioner that can be the central hub for your healthcare and give referrals to specialists so you're not guessing where to go. Today, I had a physical issue that very much was a player in both my physical and mental health, so I had to really sit down with my PCP and make sure that he was comfortable also talking about my mental health. This doesn't mean that your PCP prescribes mental health medication, but the communication needs to be transparent and open so that you feel heard and respected. So what did we do? I filled out a release of information so that my PCP can communicate back and forth with my Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I've done this in the past and I know this will help to have a holistic approach to my healthcare.

We aren't just our physcial bodies or just our brains. Each of us is a whole individual whose mind, body, and spirit deserves care. This is how I approach the work I do with AgeWell Advocacy. I support the whole person.

If you need help navigating healthcare, or coordinating care for your older loved one, call AgeWell Advocacy at 803.486.5322.