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

Call Main (772) 335-0400

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Adult Mental Health Program

Port St. Lucie Hospital’s Adult Psychiatric Program

Mental health issues affect almost 50 million Americans each year. Mental health conditions often cause stress and create emotional strain on both the sufferer as well as their friends and family members. Fortunately, help is available.

Specifically, you can seek out an adult mental health program for the care you need. For instance, there are a wide variety of care services offered, including outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization programs.

Contents

Port St. Lucie Hospital Programs

After an assessment, our team of mental healthcare professionals will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.

Our treatment programs for adults incorporate:

An interdisciplinary team of mental healthcare professionals, including counselors, psychotherapists, nurses, and support staff.
Doctors and certified practitioners for consultation.
A supportive environment where patients can connect with peers and staff who are there to assist them in finding stability and peace of mind.
An emphasis on improved quality of life through promoting wellness and stabilization, reducing stress, and focusing on overall health.
Discharge planning, in addition to long-term care strategies to help prevent relapse.

What Is Mental Illness?

Clinicians define mental health disorders as conditions that affect a person’s behavior, health, thoughts, or moods. Sometimes, these conditions are not permanent and occur only in the short term. On the other hand, they may be chronic, affecting people for life. When a mental illness begins to create high levels of stress or impacts your personal or professional experiences, it is a good idea to seek treatment.

What Causes Mental Illness?

Nobody quite understands the exact cause of mental illness, especially because mental health conditions are so wide-ranging. Generally, though, they result from a combination of psychological, environmental, and biological factors. In some cases, they may be the result of an imbalance in neurochemicals in your body. In other instances, they can be brought on by injuries or nutritional deficiencies. Genetics and family history also play a significant role. Other possible reasons may include:

Trauma, especially physical or emotional abuse
Sudden loss of a loved one
Long-term substance abuse
Social and cultural pressures
Abuse related to sexual orientation
Exposure to toxins or poor nutrition

What Mental Health Issues Do We Treat?

Mental health disorders fall into a wide variety of different categories. Although it’s tempting to diagnose yourself, speak to a mental health care provider before assigning a name to your disorder. Some of the most common types of mental health disorders include:

Do note, however, that this list is not exhaustive. There are many other types of mental health disorders. Moreover, some individuals also suffer from co-occurring disorders. For example, many people struggling with depression and anxiety may also self-medicate through drugs and alcohol, leading to drug or alcohol addiction.

The Mental Health Treatment Process

Port St. Lucie Hospital’s Adult Mental Health Program provides the highest quality assessment, diagnosis, stabilization, and evidence-based treatment for adults with acute psychiatric issues who need inpatient treatment or partial hospitalization. Our patients receive medically assisted treatment that we deliver with kindness, empathy, dignity, and respect at all levels in the continuum of care. This compassion maximizes patients’ ability to develop healthy mental and emotional health.

Before you begin treatment, several assessments are conducted to evaluate your physical, social, and emotional health. Specifically, these assessments help determine your appropriate level of care, which includes inpatient, outpatient, or partial hospitalization treatment. Treatment modalities consist of:

Crisis evaluation
Cognitive screenings
Medication evaluation and management
Group therapy and individual psychotherapy
Family education
Supplemental treatments like art, music, and recreational therapies
Community services coordination

Above all, your team will treat you with respect and give you the tools and support you need to manage your condition and get back on the road to mental health.

What Does an Adult Mental Health Program Look Like?

After your interdisciplinary team makes an assessment and creates your care plan, you’ll begin your road to recovery. In the case of residential care, Port St. Lucie facilities provide a home-like atmosphere to create a community that enables you to develop self-esteem, create relationships, and improve your daily life. Residential programs also allow clinicians the best opportunity to get a full understanding of your function and more time to gather deeper insights into care strategies.

In addition, partial hospitalization and outpatient programs offer similar support to patients. You can also benefit from group and individual counseling sessions, along with other types of mental health treatment services.

Discharge Process and Long-Term Care

At Port St. Lucie Hospital, the primary goal is to create the necessary foundation for long-term recovery. From day one, our team will create a plan to help you stay in recovery after being discharged. For instance, this may mean you immediately return to your home environment. Or it may mean moving to an alternative living situation, such as a lower level of mental health care.

Our care team tailors this plan to each patient and updates it during treatment to ensure that it matches each individual’s progress. Our discharge plan takes into account the following essentials:

Long-term therapy and counseling needs
Access to support networks
Living and work arrangements
Medication
Community and family resources

If returning home is not the best idea for a patient, we help them find a place to stay that supports their mental well-being.

With the assistance of your family members, we work to make each transition to community living a safe and seamless experience. In fact, our final goal is for our patients to leave our facility knowing they have the tools to achieve lasting recovery.

Medicare and most HMOs and PPOs are accepted. In addition, financial arrangements for self-pay may also be made.

Whatever mental health issue you are struggling with, we welcome you to our facility. From support groups to individual therapy treatment options, we are here to fight the battle with you. Reach out to us online today or call us at (772) 335-0400.