Behavioral health is a blanket term that encompasses mental health. However, some behavioral health issues are not a result of mental illnesses. These include issues like obesity, eating disorders and addictions.

Those with these issues often have medical issues that also present in their behavior. This is called integrated behavioral health care.

What is Behavioral Health?

Behavioral health includes the full range of mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders that affect people's thoughts, moods and/or behaviors. These conditions can disrupt a person's daily life and lead to problems such as an inability to focus or extreme mood changes. Behavioral health conditions are just as important to treat as any physical illness. However, due to a shortage of providers, many individuals in need of care are often turned away or forced to wait for hours or even days at their local emergency department before getting the help they need.

Behavioral health encompasses a number of issues including mental health and substance use disorders, life stressors and crises and stress-related physical symptoms as well as healthy habits like diet, exercise and sleep. Behavioral health professionals include a wide range of healthcare providers, from psychiatrists to social workers and counselors to neurologist and primary care physicians. It's also common for a patient to have both mental and physical health challenges that need to be treated together, called co-occurring disorders.

What is a Behavioral Health Disorder?

Behavioral health covers the wide range of issues related to your mental and physical well-being. A behavioral health issue can be anything from an eating disorder to depression or a substance abuse problem. The treatment options that fall into this category are vast and vary from person to person. Often times, a single treatment plan will include a mixture of therapies that address both the mental and physical components of the condition.

Serious mental illness is defined as a psychological, emotional or mental disorder that is serious enough to significantly interfere with your ability to function in everyday life and negatively impact your concept of self. Symptoms of this disorder can be difficult to manage on your own, which is why getting an accurate diagnosis is essential. Some disorders can be improved through talk therapy, medication or even brain stimulation therapies. Depending on the condition, alternative therapies may also be recommended, such as exercise. These have been shown to improve mood and reduce symptoms in some cases.

What is a Behavioral Health Issue?

A persons behavioral health can affect their overall physical and mental wellness. Behavioral health covers a wide range of issues including substance abuse, eating disorders and relationship problems. Counselors, life coaches and therapists can provide assistance with these concerns.

For example, an individual with an eating disorder may have distorted thoughts about their body and food which can lead to medical complications such as heart disease. Often, these disorders are accompanied by a mood issue such as depression or anxiety. Behavioral health treatments can include therapy and medication.

Behavioral health can also refer to how behaviors such as exercise, smoking and drinking impact physical or mental wellness. Increasingly, healthcare providers are recognizing the link between behavioral health and physical well-being. In fact, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 requires health insurance companies to treat behavioral health issues the same as they do medical/surgical care. The goal is to help people achieve the best physical and mental balance possible in their lives.

What is a Behavioral Health Treatment?

Behavioral health covers a wide range of conditions, treatments and disciplines. It encompasses psychiatric issues, marriage and family counseling, addiction treatment and more. It also includes activities like eating healthy, exercise and other lifestyle changes that improve the overall well-being of an individual.

Often, behavioral and physical illnesses are connected and it is important that both aspects of health care are addressed in tandem. For example, regular physical activity has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression as well as help manage a persons weight.

Integrated behavioral health is a growing trend in healthcare. It involves primary care teams and behavioral healthcare professionals working together to provide patient-centered, collaborative care. Depending on the setting, this may be called behavioral health integration, integrated care or primary care behavioral healthcare. Regardless of the name, the goal is to address a persons mental and physical health needs in an effective and efficient manner.