Be Medically Well

At The Well Woman, we believe in holistic care. Wellness is about the whole person, not just one aspect of our health. Taking care of our body through medical check-ups, exercise, and nutrition complements the work we do in therapy to improve mental and emotional well-being. Thus, it is common practice for us to discuss our client’s medical history and advocate for them to attend annual wellness visits. There is a plethora of research detailing the correlation between physical and mental health. Healthcare providers consider a client’s medical history as ‘low hanging fruit’ regarding the onset and treatment of a specific condition. Some symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders are caused by medical conditions, and having a chronic medical condition is associated with an increased occurrence of depression and anxiety (Naylor et al., 2012.) The ability to confirm or rule out a medical condition as a cause for symptoms is helpful and sometimes a relief for clients.  

 

Although we are mental health professionals, the overall wellness of our clients is a top priority. We adhere to our scope of practice and simply advocate for the women we serve to schedule and attend their annual wellness visit with their primary care provider (PCP), which includes lab work, a pap smear or pelvic exam, and a breast exam with their gynecologist, and any other specialist physician as recommended by their PCP. Routine check-ups can catch potential problems early, making them easier to manage and often preventing more serious issues down the line. Oftentimes, barriers to physical wellness are explored during sessions to help clients identify the maladaptive behavior, gain insight into how the behavior has served them, create a healthier narrative, and implement adaptive behaviors that promote wellness.  

 

Additionally, we discuss practical tips our clients can use to ensure wellness is achieved and medical visits are scheduled and attended. We have heard many reasons over the years as to why individuals do not schedule or attend medical appointments, including “I forgot,” “I had a work meeting and had to cancel my doctor’s appointment,” “I feel fine, so I canceled it,” or “It’s just not something I’m used to doing.” Oddly, we seem to place most things ahead of our health by simply neglecting to be examined by a physician. We want all women (everyone quite frankly) to be proactive about their health. Below are 10 tips to help you take control of your physical health in collaboration with your PCP.  

 

1. Set Clear Goals: Establish clear and specific health goals in consultation with your healthcare provider. Knowing what you’re working towards can provide motivation and direction. Get creative and challenge yourself. Goals can include biometric figures such as reducing blood pressure, glucose or A1C, and cholesterol or increasing sleep, daily steps, and water intake. 

 

2. Create a Routine: Incorporate your wellness regimen into your daily or weekly routine. This makes it easier to remember and reduces the chances of forgetting or skipping important tasks such as taking prescribed medications. 

 

3. Use Technology: Leverage health and wellness apps, wearable devices, or digital reminders to help you stay on track. These tools can send you reminders for medication, exercise, or doctor’s appointments.  

 

4. Keep a Health Journal: Maintain a journal to track your progress and document any symptoms, side effects, or changes in your health. Take this journal with you to doctor’s appointments. The journal can help you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions. 

 

5.  Accountability Partner: Consider sharing your wellness goals with a friend or family member who can help keep you accountable. You can also seek support from online communities or forums. Just last week, I checked in with my girlfriends to see if everyone had a mammogram scheduled. In addition to confirming we all had one scheduled, we then shared stories about having a mammogram completed, which had us literally laughing out loud.   

 

6. Break It Down: If your wellness regimen is extensive, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Focus on accomplishing one task at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Becoming stressed and overwhelmed is counterproductive to the goal.  

 

7. Incorporate Rewards: Reward yourself when you reach milestones or stick to your regimen consistently. These rewards can serve as positive reinforcement. And speaking of rewards, many insurance plans offer a wellness incentive for completing health screenings, getting 10,000 steps a day, or attending monthly wellness coaching calls. Take advantage of these offers!  

 

8. Know Your “Why”: Take the time to educate yourself about your condition or wellness regimen. Understanding the “why” behind what you’re doing can increase motivation. For some, their “why” is to see their grandchildren grow up or to have optimal health so that they can enjoy retirement. The more meaningful the “why,” the more likely the effort will be sustained.  

 

9. Plan for Challenges: Anticipate potential obstacles or setbacks and plan for how you’ll address them. This can help you stay on course when faced with difficulties. 

 

10. Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Celebrating milestones can boost motivation. 

 

A therapist can play a crucial role in helping clients understand the importance of getting medical health checks and focusing on overall wellness. It’s important to remember that our physical and mental health are closely connected. Neglecting one can impact the other. Regular medical check-ups can help identify and address potential physical health issues that may contribute to or worsen mental health concerns. 

 

In therapy, the therapist and client can explore the client’s personal barriers or fears related to medical check-ups and collaboratively address any underlying concerns. Encouraging a holistic approach to well-being, therapists can help clients appreciate the interconnectedness of their physical and mental health and guide them toward a more balanced and healthy life. 

 

Reference: Naylor, C., Parsonage, M., McDaid, D., Knapp, M., Fossey, M., & Galea, A. (2012). Long-term conditions and mental health: The cost of co-morbidities. London, UK: The King’s Fund. 

 

The content on this website is not intended to diagnose or treat; it is for informational purposes only. Please call our office at 404-618-1040 ext. 1 for an appointment or contact a mental health professional in your local area if you are seeking treatment.