HJAR Jul/Aug 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  JUL / AUG 2021 37 Timothy Goodson, MD Arkansas Urology depression and anxiety can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. While depression con- tinues to cause erectile dysfunction, erectile dysfunction continues to upset the patient, cause low self-esteem and reduce his qual- ity of life. By ensuring that the true cause of ED is addressed, the patient will not only be treated for the physical condition, but for the underlying mental condition that may have been going undetected as well. On the other hand, in many cases, physi- cal symptoms are written off as side effects of mental illness in those who have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Patients may suffer from insomnia, fatigue, heart palpitations or poor appetite and sim- ply have their prescriptions changed instead of receiving the physical tests they need to detect another underlying condition. It’s cru- cial to examine all of the possibilities for a set of symptoms instead of assuming they’re related to mental health alone. Treatment should be tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient, and it’s our responsibility to work to ensure that those in our care understand howmental and physi- cal health are connected. Many patients aren’t educated in the link between their mental and physical health, so they remain unaware of how dietary choices, exercise or seemingly different conditions can ac- tually be related to the discomfort they’re experiencing. At Arkansas Urology, taking time to un- derstand the needs of our patients and equipping them with all of the information they need at the beginning of the treatment process has made all the difference in our patients’ experience. We want our patients to leave the office informed, confident and at ease with knowledge about their condi- tion, their options, potential side effects of treatment and how our teamwill approach possible complications. Remember the im- portance of treating the whole patient, be- cause that patient is a whole person. n psychologists to cancer specialists, we’re better able to truly understand the needs of our patients and meet them where they need us. Caring for a patient extends far beyond just the physical — they often need mental, behavioral and emotional support as well. Socioeconomic background, lifestyle choices and underlying conditions can all play an important role in a patient’s overall health. For example, alcoholism can cause bladder issues, fertility problems and even certain types of cancer. As healthcare professionals, we should speak openly with our patients to get to the true root of a problem and lead them to a solution. Mental health also plays a key role when it comes to treating the whole person, not just the physical condition. By collaborat- ing with mental health professionals and understanding the needs of our patients be- yond the physical, we can greatly improve their overall quality of life. For example, “Caring for a patient extends far beyond just the physical — they often need mental, behavioral and emotional support as well. Socioeconomic background, lifestyle choices and underlying conditions can all play an important role in a patient’s overall health.”