Services
Mood Disorders
Depression
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that can deeply impact daily life, causing persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or a lack of motivation. Depression comes in various forms, including postpartum depression, which affects new mothers, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, often seen in children and adolescents.
Symptoms of Depression
People with depression may experience:
- Loss of interest in hobbies, work, or daily activities
- Sleep issues, such as insomnia or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite leading to weight loss or gain
- Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Physical agitation or slowed movement and speech
- Suicidal thoughts, with or without a plan
Depression may also present with anxiety symptoms like chest palpitations, tremors, or stomach aches.
Bipolar
Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder, often grouped with other mood-related conditions such as cyclothymia and dysthymic disorder. Unlike general depression, bipolar disorder includes both depressive and manic episodes. It’s typically classified into Bipolar I and Bipolar II based on the severity and pattern of these episodes.
Recognizing Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Diagnosing bipolar disorder can sometimes be challenging, as symptoms often overlap with those of depression and other mood disorders. Common signs include:
- Mood swings, ranging from deep sadness to extreme irritability or impulsiveness
- Distractibility and difficulty focusing
- Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
- Racing thoughts or sudden bursts of talkativeness
Understanding Mania in Bipolar Disorder
Mania is a hallmark of bipolar disorder, especially in Bipolar I. A manic episode involves a period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, which lasts for at least a week—or any duration if hospitalization is necessary. This period is marked by high energy, decreased need for sleep, and often risky behaviors.
Behavioral disorder
Behavioral disorders in children are marked by disruptive behavior patterns that persist for at least six months and can significantly impact a child’s life at school, home, and in social settings. These behaviors often challenge rules, create conflicts, and interfere with everyday functioning.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are a group of related mental health conditions that include panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Anxiety can stem from various factors, such as cultural influences, substance use, or stressful life events.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Common signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
- Emotional symptoms: Restlessness, feeling overwhelmed, irritability
- Physical symptoms: Tremors, dizziness, sweating, diarrhea, palpitations, and even fainting (syncope)
Understanding and addressing these symptoms can be the first step toward managing anxiety effectively.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep-wake disorder characterized by a persistent dissatisfaction with the quality or quantity of sleep. Individuals with insomnia often experience:
- Difficulty initiating sleep: Trouble falling asleep at the beginning of the night.
- Difficulty maintaining sleep: Frequent awakenings throughout the night.
- Problems returning to sleep: Challenges getting back to sleep after waking up.
- Early morning awakenings: Waking up earlier than desired and being unable to return to sleep.
These issues can significantly impact daily functioning, mood, and overall well-being. If you’re struggling with insomnia, it’s essential to seek support to improve your sleep quality and restore your health.
Psychosis
Psychotic disorders are characterized by a range of symptoms that impact a person’s perception, thoughts, and behavior. These symptoms are typically divided into two categories:
- Positive symptoms: These include noticeable changes like hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs), disorganized speech, and unusual or disorganized behavior.
- Negative symptoms: These involve a reduction in normal emotional responses and behaviors, such as flat affect (reduced emotional expression), avolition (lack of motivation), loss of interest in social activities, and difficulty with attention.
Understanding these symptoms can help in identifying and managing psychotic disorders effectively.
Eating
Eating disorders encompass a variety of conditions, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and binge eating disorder. These disorders often arise from a complex mix of factors, including psychological, cognitive, behavioral, societal, family, and biological influences.
Treatment Approaches for Eating Disorders
Effective treatment for eating disorders typically involves a multifaceted approach that includes psychotherapy to address emotional and cognitive aspects, along with psychotropic medications when needed. This combination of care provides comprehensive support for lasting recovery.
Trauma
Trauma and stressor-related disorders are mental health conditions triggered by exposure to a traumatic or highly stressful event. These events may include violent crime, motor vehicle accidents, military combat, or natural disasters. Common disorders in this category include reactive attachment disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, and adjustment disorder.
Treatment for Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
Effective treatment often involves psychotherapy approaches, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and, when appropriate, psychotropic medications to help manage symptoms and support recovery.
Fees
Initial Assessment: $250
Follow-Up: $125
No call/no shows/last minute cancelations to 125.00
