Mental Health

Depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders can significantly diminish your quality of life, but help is available in the Financial District of Manhattan in New York City. Board-certified internal medicine specialist Ora Pearlstein, MD, diagnoses and treats an array of mental health disorders to improve your mood, emotions, and well-being. Call her office to schedule an evaluation or use the online booking tool today.

What is mental health?

Mental health encompasses your thoughts, mood, and behavior patterns. Poor mental health can cause you to feel sad, anxious, or fearful in situations that don’t bother many other people. It may also affect your job and relationships. See Dr. Pearlstein at the first sign of a mental health challenge.

What are examples of common mental health disorders?

Some of the most common mental health disorders include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

You may have more than one type of mental disorder at once. For example, depression and anxiety often appear together. 

What are the symptoms of mental health disorders?

The common signs and symptoms of a mental health disorder include:

• Ongoing sadness
• Constant fear or worry
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Obsessions
• Compulsions
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Social isolation
• Mood swings
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Appetite changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems sleeping
• Hopelessness
• Thoughts of suicide

Your symptoms may result from a traumatic or stressful life event or genetic factors. If your symptoms are severe or ongoing, see Dr. Pearlstein for an evaluation. 

How does my provider diagnose mental health conditions?

To diagnose a mental health disorder and treat it properly, Dr. Pearlstein reviews your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle habits. She checks your vital signs and may complete a physical exam or order blood tests. 

Dr. Pearlstein asks a series of questions about your mental health during a psychiatric assessment. She discusses your mood, thoughts, and behavior patterns.

How are mental health disorders treated?

Your personalized treatment to improve mental health often includes making lifestyle changes, undergoing counseling, or taking medications. Dr. Pearlstein tailors each treatment to match your needs. You might try behavioral-change counseling, eat nutritious foods, get regular exercise and more sleep, take dietary supplements, or try medicines that affect your mood.

She can also treat the underlying cause of a mental health challenge and make changes to your regimen, if needed, to enhance your mental health.

To learn more about mental health solutions, call Dr. Ora Pearlstein or use the online scheduler today.