Pic 0: The title card appears before fading to Dr. Eber and Austin sitting together at the table.
Dr. Eber: The first step in identifying clients who may be suffering from mental health disorders is to notice warning signs andbe aware of risk factors.
Pic 1: The camera transitions to a close-up of Dr. Eber and a list appears next to her titled “Risk Factors” with a caution symbol next to it.
Risk factors for mental health disorders include exposure to trauma, a severe or chronic medical condition, exposure to life stressors, such as job or financial loss, prior history or family history of mental health disorders, and death or illness of a loved one.
Some of these may be indicated in a client’s history or physical exam, but others you may only discover by talking with the client.
Pic 2: The screen returns to a wide shot of Dr. Eber and Austin.
Austin: And you mentioned some warning signs I should be aware of?
Dr. Eber: Yes. Clients who have mental health disorders may exhibit physical and behavioral warning signs. In fact, these clients’ physical concerns are often caused by, or exacerbated by, their mental health disorders.
Pic 3: The screen changes to a close-up of Dr. Eber.
Let’s take a look at a few clients who were referred to me by primary healthcare teams and note the warning signs they presented that prompted their referrals.
Pic 4: The screen changes to a slide with the title “Depression” and the subtitle “Warning Signs” with a caution symbol. Next to the title is a small image of a man with the name “Alex” underneath. A list appears with bullet points:
Alex developed depression after losing his job. He went to his primary care provider for an increase of appetite and considerable weight gain. Alex showed up for his appointment looking exhausted and reported feeling lethargic, despite sleeping ten to twelve hours per night. When questioned about his physical activities, Alex revealed that he recently quit his soccer league. He said he feels sad and stressed most of the time and doesn’t think he’ll ever feel better. His answers to the depression screening indicated high risk.
Pic 5: Two more examples are added to the list
Here are some other indicators of depression you might notice in your clients.
Pic 6: The screen changes to another slide with the title “Risky Substance Use” and the subtitle “Warning Signs” with a caution symbol. Next to the titles is an image of a young woman with the name “Margot” underneath. A list appears with bullet points:
Margot presented with high-risk use of alcohol, as indicated on her substance-use screening form. She initially went to her primary care provider for an ankle injury sustained after tripping on her staircase while intoxicated. When asked about her drinking patterns, she explained that she’d been caring for her sick mother and had gotten in the habit of drinking several glasses of wine each night and a few wine spritzers in the morning to relax and take her mind off of things. She said she sometimes has trouble making it to work after drinking the night before.
Pic 7: 5 additional examples are added to the list
Here are some other indicators you might notice in clients who have risky substance use.
Pic 8: The screen changes to another slide with the title “GAD” and the subtitle “Warning Signs” with a caution symbol. Next to the titles is an image of a man with the name “Phil” underneath. A list appears with bullet points:
Phil has Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He presented to his primary care provider with difficulty falling asleep, he’d lay awake thinking about his day and worrying about the upcoming day. When questioned, he said he was constantly concerned that he’d be fired or evicted, though he said he was in good standing with his boss and his landlord, or that someone in his family would die of a terminal illness, though they were all currently in good health. During the exam, he was restless and fidgety, biting his nails and picking at his cuticles.