Ways Telehealth Can Help Busy Moms
Published on May 03, 2023 | 11:32 AM
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Approximately one-third of America’s working women are also mothers who are trying to manage their children’s care and medical needs in addition to maintaining their own health and that ever-elusive work-life balance.
Lack of sleep associated with parenting in addition to exposure to stress at home and in the workplace leaves parents vulnerable to illness; when children get sick, a vulnerable parent will also. Telehealth is helping working moms and all parents to access pediatric care without the need to take time off work or school to travel to a doctor's office as well as wait to see a physician.
Parents can also access medical care for themselves instead of just trying to "get through the day" while ignoring symptoms. Now parents can get appropriate and effective treatment easily from the comfort of home while continuing to work or take care of children.
More Than Just Physical Health
The fact that telehealth is always available means that busy moms can also access mental health resources without the guilt of taking time for themselves to improve their mental wellbeing. Now moms can get prescription treatment or talk therapy all from home and for an affordable price.
In 2021 the prevalence of mental health among women was over 9% higher than among men. All too often, mothers experience chronic stress, which can and does contribute to the development of depression and anxiety. However, telehealth is providing all women with an easy, convenient, and cost-effective way to manage their health.
The ability to access these vital resources so easily can help moms and all parents improve their quality of life as they meet their parenting and work obligations and enjoy their time off. This allows parents to let go of guilt, organize family obligations, have regular “me” time, and utilize vital resources online.
Could It Be More Than Just Being a Busy Mom or Parent?
For some parents, achieving a work-life balance is more challenging due to undiagnosed or misdiagnosed depression and anxiety. A 2011 study conducted by the Women’s Journal of Health revealed that 1 in 10 mothers are diagnosed with depression.3 However, the true number is likely much higher much higher as many women do not seek mental healthcare. After a person notices symptoms, the average time it takes for them to seek treatment is 11 years with 55% of diagnosed adults not getting treatment.
Per the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the symptoms of anxiety can also be symptoms of depression and vice versa. Along with this, one condition can trigger the development of the other.
According to the CDC, depression symptoms include:
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Fatigue, even after a good night’s sleep
- Feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, or guilt
- Loss of appetite
- No longer participating in activities you normally would enjoy
Anxiety symptoms include:
- Chest tightness
- Panic attacks
- Excessive worry
- Irritability
- Shakiness
In addition to the symptoms of both conditions, certain factors can put you at risk of developing depression and anxiety, according to the CDC. These factors include:
- Having a family history of one or both conditions
- Experiencing a major life change
- Experiencing trauma, whether currently or in the past
- Experiencing high stress, such as that associated with financial problems
- Dealing with a serious medical condition
- Taking medications with anxiety or depression as a side effect
How Are You Coping?
Those with the symptoms of anxiety and depression don’t always seek the help of a medical professional because the signs can be easy to dismiss or ignore at first. In fact, the 2020 National Health Survey revealed that 25.6% of women and 14.6% of men reported having received mental health treatment.4
It is very common for those with mental health issues to self-medicate. They may consume alcohol or other controlled substances or smoke cigarettes to relax and de-stress.
It’s true that these substances can help to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. Unfortunately, this relief is often short-lived and, worse, often has side-effects. In fact, you may find that you feel more anxious or depressed after the mood-lifting effects of a substance have worn off.
This can cause some to choose substances more often when a lift is needed. Eventually, this leads to dependence and, ultimately, addiction.5 If you're looking for additional support to quit smoking, Call-On-Doc can also help you get a prescription online for smoking cessation.
Why Seek Medical Advice for Anxiety and Depression?
Speaking with a doctor about what you’re struggling with can help you get medical treatment that supports your health and benefits your role as a mother and a working woman. They can also prescribe anxiety medication and products to treat mental illness.
Seeing a doctor can also help to identify unhealthy coping mechanisms that may be perpetuating or exacerbating the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Can You See a Doctor Online for Anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal reaction to the stresses of being a busy parent, and we all experience depression at one time or another. When depression and anxiety symptoms are severe or persistent enough that they begin to interfere with everyday life, it’s time to get help.
If you are embarrassed about talking to your primary care provider, don’t have a provider that treats anxiety, or simply can’t travel to one, the great news is that telemedicine is a way to get the treatment you seek all from the comfort and privacy of home.
Convenience
Therapy sessions are part of the effective treatment of anxiety and depression, but a working mom is a busy mom, and busy moms often have so much to do that there can never seem to be enough hours in the day.
Telehealth offers an incredibly convenient way to access therapy. Instead of traveling to and waiting at a therapist’s office, telehealth allows moms to attend therapy from wherever they are.
Accessibility
The other benefit of teletherapy is that you're not left without support when you need it. Many in-person visits can take months of waiting to see and speak to someone. Call-On-Doc offers psychiatry treatment without appointments. Some teletherapy even offers a more modern approach with texting options for ease and convenience.
The Right Support
The medical providers available through telehealth are able to support your specific needs and can even help provide family counseling for your children and teens.
Working and raising a family can contribute to stress. Discussing what’s currently happening in your life, and sharing your thoughts and feelings about it through counseling, can help you cope with what you’re experiencing now and teach you strategies to help you deal with future challenges.
Resources That Are Tailored to You
If you are feeling increasingly anxious, or you find that your feelings of sadness are interfering with your ability to function and enjoy your life and family, telehealth is a way to connect with a professional who understands. However, your counselor is also a wealth of knowledge about where and how to find those resources that will meet your needs best.
Improved Mental Health, Improved Well-Being
When your mental health improves, your outlook on life improves. Getting treated for mental health geared with depression and anxiety may involve counseling, medication, or both.
The ability to access doctors for anxiety from any internet-connected device or location means that you can start treatment sooner, allowing you to get back to enjoying your life.
Wayne C. Hahne,
English graduate and Call-On-Doc’s medical resource guide, Wayne C. Hahne is an experienced and passionate medical education content expert. Through diligent research, provider interviews and utilizing the industry's leading resources for wellness information, it is Mr. Hahne’s personal mission to educate the general public on medical conditions with in-depth and easy-to-understand written guides.
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