What We Treat
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is defined as feelings of worry, apprehension, or tension, often in association with an event or situation with an uncertain outcome. Physiological symptoms associated with anxiety include increased heart rate, sweating, restlessness, or an obsession with a single thought.
Some anxiety is normal. Many people may experience anxiety before a test, a competition, a job interview, or any stress-provoking event. It’s our body’s natural way of alerting us to danger and uncertainty, however, anxiety that interferes with daily function may be a disorder.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States for both children and adults. However, anxiety disorders are highly treatable and may be helped with professional care.
You should seek help for an anxiety disorder from a mental health professional if you notice your anxiety has….
- Affected your ability to focus or be productive
- Interfered with your relationships
- Disrupted your sleeping patterns
- Interfered with recreational activities
- Created sense of self-doubt or worthlessness
- Isolated yourself from others
- Caused you to have suicidal thoughts
Mood Disorders (Depression & Bipolar Disorders)
Mood disorders are an emotional state characterized by mood distortions that are inconsistence with your circumstances and interfere with your ability to function in daily life. Mood disorders include forms of depression and bipolar disorders.
It is normal to experience periods of excitement and lows in response to circumstances. But when the low mood is persistent and interferes with life’s activities, a person may be exhibiting symptoms of clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder, or simply “depression” or dysthymia.
Depression can range from mild, moderate, to severe depending on the number and severity of symptoms, as well as the degree to which one’s normal life is affected. Just because one’s depression seems mild, and one can “make it through” the day, does not mean one should not seek treatment. Symptoms of depression may include low motivation and inability to leave the house, or perform normal activities like grocery shopping or going to work.
The opposite end of the spectrum of depression is excessive hyperactivity. A person who exhibits these symptoms may be dealing with Bipolar disorder. Depression and Bipolar are treatable conditions with professional care.
Behavioral Problems
Behavioral problems most often occur in children, adolescents, and late adolescence and even persist through adulthood. In children, some degree of acting out through tantrums, talking back, and being distracted or unable to focus may be normal. This behavior may be an expected part of development, and manageable with minor intervention. However, when behavioral problems interfere with academic performance, family relationships, and social life more severely, it may indicate a condition that requires professional help.
Examples of Behavioral Problems include:
– Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined by inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. A person diagnosed with ADHD is easily distracted and has a difficult time concentrating or being productive.
– Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in children is defined by hostile behavior towards figures of authority, like parents or teachers.
– Conduct Disorders may include aggressive behavior like fighting and bullying, destructive behavior, such as arson or vandalism, or deceitful behavior, such as stealing and lying.
– Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly referred to plainly as Autism, is a collective group of neurological disorders that affect the behavioral skills of the patient. Oftentimes, Autism is associated with a variety of behavioral problems. The symptoms of Autism can lead to developmental disabilities in social, behavioral, and communication skills.
Trauma and Stress
Stress is a normal human reaction that occurs as a response to life’s changes or challenges and is also referred to as a stressor. One’s body produces physical and mental responses that help your body adjust to new situations. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert, motivated, and ready to avoid danger. Stress can become pathological when it continues without relief or periods of relaxation. This type of prolonged stress reaction can interfere with daily function.
Whereas trauma requires exposure to an “actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence” event. Trauma is defined as a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, and diminishes their sense of self, as well as their ability to feel a full range of emotions and experiences.
Symptoms of stress and trauma may include:
- Marked symptoms of anxiety or increased arousal, including difficulty sleeping, irritability, poor concentration, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and motor restlessness. Along with recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s).
Types of Stress and Trauma disorders:
- Disinhibited social engagement disorder
- Reactive attachment disorder
- Acute stress disorder
- Adjustment Disorders
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Other Specified Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder
- Unspecified Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder
- Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Psychotic Disorders
Psychosis may occur because of a psychiatric illness, a health condition, medications, or drug use. Possible symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, talking incoherently, and agitation. The person with the condition usually isn’t aware of his or her behavior.
Treatment may include medication and talk therapy.
Types of Psychotic Disorders Include:
- Schizophrenia.
- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Schizophreniform Disorder
- Brief Psychotic Disorder
- Delusional Disorder
- Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder
- Psychotic Disorder Due to a Medical Condition
- Paraphrenia