What We Treat

• Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
• Being easily fatigued
• Having difficulty concentrating; mind going blank
• Being irritable
• Having muscle tension
• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
• Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep

Include a variety of causes and reasons. Most research shows that there is no one specific cause, but multiple contributing factors. There are certain risk factors that have been found to put a person at an increased risk of developing the illness. Those risk factors include:

• Some personality traits of shyness or behavioral inhibition in childhood
• Certain stressful situations
• A history of anxiety or other mental illnesses in biological relatives
• Physical health conditions, such as thyroid problems or heart problems can aggravate anxiety symptoms

One of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. and can occur at any age. Depression frequently is diagnosed in adulthood; it is being more frequently recognized in children and teens, although they present with a more irritable mood than low or sad mood.

There are several forms of depression and they can develop under different circumstances, such as:

• Major depressive disorder
• Persistent depressive disorder (Dysthymia)
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Seasonal affective disorder

If you or a loved one has been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms, and they have been present most of the day, nearly every day for the last two weeks, you may be suffering from depression.

• Persistent sad mood (in children and teens can be irritable)
• Diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all activities
• Appetite changes with or without weight loss or weight gain
• Decreased energy or fatigue
• Moving or talking more slowly
• Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
•  Difficulty sleeping, difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
• Aches or pains without a physical cause

A mood disorder that usually requires lifelong treatment. Bipolar disorder is typically diagnosed during late adolescence (teen years) or early adulthood. Occasionally, bipolar symptoms can appear in children. Mood disorders such as bipolar disorder can cause unusual shifts in mood, energy, concentration, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day to day tasks.

There are three types of bipolar disorder and all three times involve mood, energy, and activity level changes. The changes in mood can result in periods of extreme “highs” or elated mood, irritability, and energy; also known as manic episodes to very “low”, sad, hopeless periods; known as depressive episodes. Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.

There are also several types of bipolar disorders that may include mania or hypomania, and depression. These three types of bipolar disorder have changes in mood, energy, and activity levels :

• Bipolar I Disorder :
• Defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks.
• Bipolar II Disorder :
•  Defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes that are typical of Bipolar I Disorder.
• Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia) :
• Defined by periods of hypomanic symptoms as well as periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents). However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.

include a variety of causes and reasons. Most research shows that there is no one specific cause, but multiple contributing factors. There are certain risk factors that have been found to put a person at an increased risk of developing the illness. Those risk factors include :

• Having a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder, such as a parent or sibling
•  History of drug and/or alcohol abuse

Treatments are available and need to be tailored to meet each individual person’s needs. Treatment can help and research has shown that medication in combination with psychotherapy (talk therapy) has the best outcomes. Medications generally used to treat bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers and second-generation (“atypical”) antipsychotics.

Young children may benefit from an evaluation and treatment if they :

• Have frequent tantrums or are intensely irritable much of the time
• Often talk about fears or worries
• Complain about frequent stomach aches or headaches with no medical cause
• Are in constant motion and cannot sit quietly
• Sleep too much or too little, have frequent nightmares, or seem sleepy during the day
• Are not interested in playing with other children or have difficulty making friends
• Struggle academically or have experienced a recent decline in grades
• Repeat actions or check things many times out of fear that something bad may happen.

Older children and adolescents may benefit from an evaluation if they :

• Have lost interest in things that they used to enjoy
• Have low energy and fatigue
• Sleep too much or too little, or seem sleepy throughout the day
• Are spending more and more time alone
• Engage in self-harm behaviors (e.g., cutting or burning their skin)
• Smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs
• Engage in risky or destructive behaviors
• Have thoughts of suicide
• Have periods of highly elevated energy and activity, and require much less sleep than usual

According to the National Institute of Mental Health In 2014, 20.2 million adults in the U.S. had a substance use disorder and 7.9 million had both a substance use disorder and another mental illness.

A drug is a chemical that can alter how your mind functions and works. There are multiple songs about this that make it sound almost glamorous at times. Although it is far from glamorous. These chemicals can not only alter how your mind functions, but cause permanent damage. Even the most benign over the counter medications such as cold and cough medications can and are misused by many. If they are taken in excess they also can alter how your mind functions even though they are readily available at your grocery store.

• They want to feel good
• They want to stop feeling bad
• They want to improve their performance academically or at work

• Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness
• Isolation, social withdrawal, loss of interest in daily activities
• Inability to experience pleasure
• Extreme appetite, weight or sleep changes
• Family problems
• Financial problems or problems at school or work
• High risk behaviors especially while driving and incarcerated

Treatments are available and need to be tailored to meet each individual person’s needs. There are multiple options available and several options include :

• Medication therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Support groups
• Relapse prevention