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

Is Mild Serotonin Syndrome Serious? | Florida Mental Health Center

Serotonin is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that acts as a neurotransmitter, or a messenger between nerve cells. And the role of serotonin is important. Serotonin manages mood and memory as well as assists in sleep, digestion, sexual function, blood clotting, and more. However, too much serotonin can result in mild serotonin syndrome or more severe serotonin toxicity.

The body requires certain serotonin levels to function properly. When a person does not have enough of this chemical, problems can arise. In fact, low serotonin symptoms are thought to include ailments such as the following:

Depression
Anxiety
Insomnia
Reduced appetite
Irritability
Impulsivity

It is important to recognize that serotonin does not work alone to produce these conditions. However, it does play an important role. When prescription medications or over-the-counter serotonin supplements are taken in an effort to increase serotonin, the result can be too much serotonin within a person’s system.

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What Is Serotonin Syndrome?

Simply put, serotonin syndrome is the result of too much serotonin in the body. In general, this does not happen naturally. Rather, serotonin toxicity is the result of a medication or a combination of medications that cause a surplus of serotonin. The condition can range from mild to life-threatening and can be challenging to diagnose.

Mild serotonin syndrome especially is a condition that is often overlooked. This is due to the fact that symptoms of mild serotonin syndrome are shared among many other conditions. Further, there is no lab test to confirm the diagnosis of this condition. Rather lab tests are generally used to rule out other medical problems. Unfortunately, mild serotonin toxicity can progress rapidly, especially if the medication causing the problem is not immediately stopped. For this reason, it is vital to catch symptoms early before a more serious condition develops.

Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms

The onset of serotonin syndrome can happen quickly. A person may experience symptoms within a few hours of taking the medication that alters serotonin levels. Therefore, simple awareness of the condition and of the medications you’re taking could go a long way in recognizing the signs of mild or more severe serotonin syndrome symptoms.

Mild serotonin syndrome symptoms often includes the following:

Shivering and tremors
Twitching or involuntary muscle movements
Excessive sweating
Dilated pupils
Rapid heartbeat
Slightly elevated blood pressure

Given the prevalence of these symptoms among other diseases and ailments, it is easy to see how the signs of mild serotonin syndrome can be overlooked.

More severe signs of serotonin syndrome include:

Fever
Anxiety
Confusion
Agitation
Varying heart rate or blood pressure
Delirium
Muscle rigidity
Restlessness
Profuse sweating
Seizures

If the above symptoms are noted in any individual, it is important to call 911 immediately as serotonin syndrome can be fatal if not treated. Usually, the doctor will eliminate the presence of other conditions first. Other conditions that can be confused with serotonin syndromes include infections (i.e. meningitis), neuroleptic malignant syndrome, reactions to substance abuse, and drug withdrawal.

Serotonin Syndrome Causes: Serotonergic Agents

Serotonergic agents are substances that alter serotonin levels in the body. Oftentimes, a person is prescribed a serotonergic agent to address a mental illness such as depression. Examples of serotonergic agents include antidepressants such as:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (i.e., Selegiline or Nardil)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (i.e., Paxil and Prozac)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (i.e., Pristiq and Cymbalta)
Tricyclic antidepressants (i.e, amitriptyline and nortriptyline)
Atypical antidepressants (i.e., Wellbutrin)

In addition, many prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies can cause an increase in serotonin levels. While serotonin syndrome may occur after taking a single medication, this is unlikely. Rather, it is usually the result of a combination of products that increase serotonin or alters serotonin uptake. Alternatively, someone may intentionally or accidentally take too much of the same medication causing a serotonin overdose.

Examples of other serotonergic drugs that pose a danger if they are combined serotonin increasing drugs include:

Opioids (i.e., Vicodin)
Amphetamines (i.e., Adderall)
Herbal supplements (i.e. St. John’s wort)
L-Tryptophan
Illegal drugs (i.e., ecstasy, fentanyl, LSD)
Cough medicine containing dextromethorphan (DXM)
Anticonvulsants (i.e., Tegretol)
Lithium

To avoid severe serotonin toxicity, It is important to be vigilant of symptoms of mild serotonin syndrome when switching medications, increasing dosages, or beginning a new medication.

Serotonin Syndrome Treatment

Fortunately, mild serotonin syndrome will resolve when the medication is stopped or corrected. And usually, mild serotonin syndrome recovery takes anywhere from one to three days. However, if mild serotonin toxicity is not caught it could progress very quickly, resulting in a medical emergency. Treatment for severe symptoms of serotonin toxicity includes immediate cessation of serotonergic drugs and drugs like benzodiazepines may be administered to relieve any muscular symptoms.

One of the best things you can do is be aware of your prescriptions and supplements, especially if you have a condition like depression that requires one of the products that alters serotonin. Alternatively, using these medications in conjunction with recreational drug use or combining serotonin-enhancing prescriptions with illegal drugs will elevate the risk of serotonin overdose. Fortunately, with some minor adjustments, mild serotonin symptoms can be managed. In addition, help with addiction and other co-occurring mental ailments is available.

Help with Mental Illness and Addiction in South Florida

Mental illnesses that require medications to adjust serotonin levels are common. However, these medications should not be combined with recreational drug use. If you are struggling with mental illness, an accredited mental health facility can help with treatment options including adjustments to medication. Further, through a dual diagnosis program, mental health treatment can address any co-occurring problems with substance abuse. At Port St. Lucie Hospital in Southeast Florida, our mental health treatment center offers numerous programs to help you get back to feeling great. In addition to those above, these include:

To learn more about our Florida mental health services, contact our admissions specialists at (772) 335-0400 or submit your questions online through our confidential contact form. At Port St Lucie hospital we can help you start recovering today.

FAQ Regarding Serotonin Syndrome

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.

Is Mild Serotonin Syndrome Serious?