Our team of experienced psychiatry providers are here to help you with a variety of mental health concerns you may have. You’re not alone, and we’re here to guide you on your journey towards wellbeing!
Our services.
ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults, leading to difficulties in maintaining attention, controlling impulses, and regulating hyperactivity. Psychiatry offers a comprehensive understanding of ADHD, encompassing its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
-
ADHD is characterized by a combination of three core symptoms:
Inattention: Individuals with ADHD often struggle to sustain attention to tasks or activities, make careless mistakes, have difficulty organizing tasks, and frequently lose or forget important items.
Hyperactivity: Hyperactive symptoms include restlessness, excessive talking, fidgeting, and difficulty staying seated in situations where it's expected.
Impulsivity: Impulsive behaviors manifest as acting without thinking, interrupting others, difficulty waiting turns, and making hasty decisions.
-
ADHD management often involves a multimodal approach tailored to the individual's needs. Treatment options include:
Behavioral Therapy: Behavioral interventions, such as parent training, psychoeducation, and individual therapy, help individuals develop skills to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.
Medications: Stimulant medications (e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamine) and non-stimulant medications (e.g., atomoxetine, guanfacine) are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms. These medications can help improve attention, reduce impulsivity, and control hyperactivity.
Educational Support: In school settings, accommodations such as classroom modifications and individualized education plans (IEPs) can provide necessary support for academic success.
Lifestyle Modifications: Healthy lifestyle choices, including regular exercise, adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and effective time management strategies, can complement medical and behavioral treatments for ADHD.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a complex and common mental health disorder that falls within the category of anxiety disorders, as defined by psychiatry. It is characterized by persistent feelings of worry, apprehension, fear, and unease. These feelings often manifest in both psychological and physical symptoms, impacting a person's daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
-
Anxiety can present in various ways, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Common psychological symptoms include excessive worrying, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and a sense of impending doom. Physically, individuals with anxiety may experience rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, muscle tension, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal distress.
-
Effective treatment for anxiety often involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used psychotherapy approach that helps individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines can be prescribed to manage symptoms. Additionally, mindfulness techniques, relaxation exercises, and lifestyle changes, like regular exercise and a balanced diet, can contribute to symptom management. If anxiety symptoms are interfering with an individual's daily life and well-being, seeking professional help from a psychiatrist or mental health provider is crucial. Early intervention and appropriate treatment can significantly alleviate symptoms and improve overall quality of life for those affected by anxiety disorders.
Depression
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a common and serious mental health condition that psychiatry addresses through comprehensive understanding of its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
-
Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities. The symptoms of depression extend beyond temporary sadness and include:
Emotional Symptoms: These encompass feelings of sadness, irritability, emptiness, and a decreased ability to experience joy or pleasure (anhedonia).
Cognitive Symptoms: Individuals with depression often experience difficulties in concentration, memory, decision-making, and a negative distortion of thoughts, known as cognitive distortions.
Physical Symptoms: Changes in appetite and weight, sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia), fatigue, and physical aches and pains are common physical manifestations.
Behavioral Symptoms: Social withdrawal, reduced energy levels, and even thoughts of death or suicide can be indicative of depression.
-
Depression treatment often involves a combination of approaches tailored to the individual's needs. Common treatment options include:
Psychotherapy: Different types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and psychodynamic therapy, can help individuals identify and address negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and improve overall mental well-being.
Medications: Antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), can help restore chemical imbalances in the brain and alleviate depressive symptoms.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): These are more specialized treatments used for severe or treatment-resistant depression. ECT involves controlled electrical currents applied to the brain under anesthesia, while TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain regions.
Lifestyle Changes: Engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can complement other treatment approaches.
Addiction
Addiction, recognized as a substance use disorder in psychiatry, is a complex condition characterized by the compulsive and harmful use of substances (such as drugs or alcohol) or engagement in certain behaviors (such as gambling or gaming), despite negative consequences. Psychiatry provides a comprehensive understanding of addiction, including its features, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
-
Addiction is marked by a range of behavioral, psychological, and physical symptoms:
Compulsion: A strong and often uncontrollable urge to engage in substance use or behavior, even in the face of adverse effects.
Loss of Control: Difficulty in moderating or stopping substance use or behavior, despite repeated attempts.
Craving: Intense desire or yearning for the substance or behavior, which can lead to preoccupation and obsession.
Tolerance: Needing increasing amounts of the substance or behavior to achieve the desired effect.
Withdrawal: Experiencing physical and psychological symptoms when discontinuing substance use, leading to further engagement to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Negative Consequences: Despite harmful outcomes such as health issues, damaged relationships, legal problems, or financial difficulties, individuals continue the addictive behavior.
-
Addiction treatment is multifaceted and varies based on the substance or behavior involved, the severity of the addiction, and the individual's needs. Common treatment approaches include:
Detoxification: For substances like drugs or alcohol, medically supervised detox helps individuals safely manage withdrawal symptoms.
Psychotherapy: Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and contingency management aim to identify triggers, develop coping strategies, and promote behavior change.
Medications: Certain medications can be prescribed to assist with managing cravings, reducing withdrawal symptoms, or blocking the effects of addictive substances (e.g., opioid antagonists for opioid addiction).
Support Groups: Participation in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can provide peer support and strategies for recovery.
Inpatient and Outpatient Programs: Depending on the severity of the addiction, individuals may participate in structured inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Addressing co-occurring mental health disorders is crucial, as they often contribute to addiction and need to be treated concurrently.
Emotional Support Animals Certification
This is for individuals who rely on their dogs, cats, or other animals to help them feel better when they’re anxious or feeling down. This certification lets them bring their animals along when they travel, go to school, or go to other places.