5 Ways Technology is Used for Behavioral Health Treatments
Behavioral health is often referred to as mental health. For those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, or other behavioral health challenges, access to technological tools can make it possible to gain a sense of control. These tools can also allow sufferers to reach out to professional counselors for better results and consistent help.
Find Help
One of the best tools someone struggling with addiction can use is a meeting or service locator. If you are participating in a 12-step program and feel the need for a meeting, the right service locator can help you find a meeting close to you or one that will work well with your schedule.
In addition to a service locator, you can find access to soothing, recommended activities. If your therapist has recommended any of the following, technological tools can make it easier to build healthy routines:
- nutritional changes
- an exercise program
- training on a new habit or hobby
Quality instructors can make a huge difference in your experiences of new activities, whether artistic or physical. Nutritional guidelines from a technological tool can help you make small changes according to your skills and budget.
Connect to a Skilled Professional
Recent world events have made setting up face-to-face meetings a real challenge. No matter the challenge you’re dealing with, a video conference with a caring professional such as Dr. Osman psychiatrist who can help you address the challenges you can work out on your own and better define the roadblocks that you need help with.
Often, we work on our problems with the skills that we have but hit a stopping point where our tools stop working. Virtual access to your counselor or psychiatrist means that you can check in before you enter a state of overwhelming. Even if you have regular meetings with your counselor, do set up that virtual connection before you need it.
Create Reminders
Some virtual tools can simply help you set up reminders. This can be as simple as tracking your appointments. You can also set up reminders that will help you
- plan for the hardest part of your day
- prepare yourself for challenging relationship issues
- rely on the tools you’ve already gained
We all have people in our lives that push our buttons. This can be a co-worker or a family member. Before this person can trigger a severe emotional flare-up in you, a reminder to rely on the skills and tools that you’ve built can help you to find a place of stasis and calm, no matter how hard your buttons get pushed.
Lean On Your Favorites
With the right tools on your mobile devices, you can create a list of your favorite tools. Whether these are visual images, a recorded meditation, or simply sayings that allow you to back away from a state of crisis to protect yourself from exhaustion or overwhelm.
Too often, there are behavioral health issues that are shamed in our society to make sure that you don’t succumb to this shame and judgment, it’s a great idea to put these tools to work regularly. If you have a time of day that you get sleepy, provide yourself with a reminder to take 5 to 10 minutes to meditate and protect your spirit.
Do Your Study; Find Community
Technological tools can also help you do personal study. Self-diagnosis through personal study is a great way to open up about your condition, particularly with your support and care team. While you’re not necessarily doing your research, building up your knowledge of terms used by the professionals you rely on can make you more comfortable about your appointments.
These tools can also make it easier to find a community. If you’ve been shamed by those around you because of symptoms tied to your behavioral health challenges, you may have stopped reaching out. Once you are isolated, the shame imposed by the views of others can become incredibly corrosive. Reaching out to others dealing with your condition, or being able to connect with a virtual sponsor, can go a long way to help you build a healthier attitude about your condition and find healthier ways to reach out for help.
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