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Once a mental illness is diagnosed, it is usually treated with psychotherapy, medication to address the problems in brain chemistry or a combination of both. Just because two conditions share symptoms and clinical features does not necessarily mean that they should be treated in the same way. Instead, treatments should be selected based on the underlying biology that is causing the condition and the specific symptoms of the individual patient.

During psychotherapy, patients are encouraged to talk about their condition and any related issues with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or clinical social worker. Psychotherapy is based on the theory that patients can improve their emotional well-being and mental health by talking about their concerns or problems with a therapist.  The therapist can help them find better ways to cope, solve problems and set realistic goals for improvement. Treatment may take the form of individual therapy, group therapy or a combination of both. It can last anywhere from a few weeks to several years depending on the nature of a patient’s condition.

Common forms of psychotherapy used to treat emotional and mental health disorders include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy and interpersonal therapy (IPT). Patients may also benefit from attending support groups where they discuss their feelings with others who share their mental illness.

In addition, many medications can help alleviate the symptoms of mental illness by restoring the brain’s chemistry to a more normal state. These include anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and central nervous system (CNS) stimulants.

Patients should be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in some patients and all people being treated with them should be monitored closely for unusual changes in behavior.

Additionally, not all medications are suitable for all patients. For instance, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may not be candidates for certain medications (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) because the drugs may adversely affect a developing fetus or nursing infant.

It is also advised that patients always consult their physician before beginning or discontinuing a medication.

Another option called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT, a series of electrical shocks are delivered to the brain to induce seizures) may be used to treat severe depression. Vagus nerve stimulation is a unique technique which recently became available specifically for treatment-resistant depression. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that appears promising as a treatment, particularly for major depression. However, TMS is still experimental and actual clinical use will require much more research.