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Mind Your Health

If you are in treatment for mental health or substance abuse problems, it is important that the provider treating you is in contact with your primary care physician (PCP).  This means you should let your PCP know if a behavioral health specialist is treating you.  This is important for your safety.  If you take more than one medicine it is important to make sure it is safe to take them together.  Contact between your behavioral health provider and your PCP is also important because of the connection between physical health and mental health.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the United States.  Depression often occurs in people with heart disease.  Treatment for depression is extremely important, as the combination of depression and heart disease can make heart problems worse.

Diabetes

Diabetes may double the risk of depression.  The chances of becoming depressed increase as diabetes gets worse.

Asthma

High levels of anxiety, depression or both can increase a person's risk of developing asthma.  Researchers have found that people who reported high levels of nervousness, stress, worry, discouragement and unhappiness were more than two times as likely to develop asthma.

What Can You Do?

Please consider giving permission for your doctors and therapist to communicate with one another.  If it has been awhile since you have seen your PCP, please consider scheduling an appointment.  This is especially important if you are in treatment for a mental health or substance abuse problem.  If you are not sure who your PCP is, refer to your medical insurance card and call the member services telephone number. 

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