Your primary care physician (PCP) at Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, takes a holistic approach to your health care. Dr. Joel 
Biggers and Dr. Elizabeth Biggers treat their patients as complete individuals--that is, that their overall health and mental health impact each other. As such, your mental health is also a top priority. Learn about how the team at Biggers Family Medicine can help you function well physically, emotionally and mentally.
Your doctor and your mental health
Your emotions and mental functioning vary with life circumstances, heredity and yes, brain chemicals. For instance, depression--persistent feelings of sadness and inability to cope with life--often blends a lack of serotonin in the brain with difficult family, job or other life realities.
Mood disorders, dementia, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and other issues concern your primary care physician, and he or she screens each patient for mental, behavioral and emotional wellness. This interaction often is the first step in getting hurting people the help they need.
In addition, your doctor can provide medication and referrals for therapy, psychiatry and support groups and keep a record of your treatment and its progress.
A common problem
The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that almost 19 percent of Americans have a mental illness. That's over 40 million people. Unfortunately, proper treatment for stress, anxiety, schizophrenia, eating disorders and more can be difficult to find.
NAMI stresses the importance of both medication and talk therapy to help patients toward optimal functioning. Your primary care physician at Biggers Family Medicine can help you find the medicine and other supports you need. In other words, your doctor assists patients who have mental health needs navigate what can be a confusing system of psychiatrists, medications, and more.
Unfortunately, patients frequently hesitate to ask their PCPs for help. There is a stigma attached to mental health, but truly, honesty is the best policy.
Your mental health is important
You cannot and should not ignore it. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that 20 percent of visits to a PCP involve mention, discussion and treatment strategies for mental health issues. So, don't feel odd or alone if you express such a concern to Dr. Biggers. Your primary care physician wants to help.
Find out more
Please don't wait. Call Biggers Family Medicine today for an appointment. Let's talk about your concerns and work together toward your best mental health. Phone (813) 655-4646.