Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry or fear. Everyone feels anxious at some point in their life, but for some people anxiety can be a constant and overwhelming feeling.
The symptoms of anxiety can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include:
The cause of anxiety can be different for each person. Some people may have anxiety due to a medical condition, while others may have anxiety due to a traumatic event in their life. Anxiety can also run in families, so it is possible that anxiety can be genetic.
The treatment for anxiety will vary depending on the severity of the anxiety and the cause of the anxiety. Some people may only need to make lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise or reducing stress, while others may need medication or therapy.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It can affect how you feel, think and behave and can lead to physical problems.
The symptoms of depression can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include:
The cause of depression can be different for each person. Some people may have depression due to a medical condition, while others may have anxiety due to a traumatic event in their life. Depression can also run in families, so it is possible that anxiety can be genetic.
Treatment for depression includes medication, therapy and self-care. If you are feeling depressed, it is important to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional so they can help you find the best treatment for you. Balance Health can help make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
ADHD is a neuropsychiatric condition that affects both children and adults. Symptoms include difficulty paying attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. ADHD can make it hard to succeed in school, work or social relationships.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include:
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Treatment for ADHD includes medication, therapy and self-care. If you are struggling with ADHD, it is important to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional so they can help you find the best treatment for you. Balance Health can help.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Most people who go through traumatic events have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for more than a few months and interfere with your day-to-day life, you may have PTSD.
PTSD can occur at any age. It is often accompanied by depression, anxiety or substance abuse disorders.
Symptoms of PTSD can start immediately after the traumatic event or may not appear until months or even years later. They can also come and go over time, or get worse. PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories:
Symptoms of PTSD can vary in intensity over time. You may have more symptoms when you're stressed in general, or when something triggers memories of the traumatic event. PTSD symptoms can also change your physical health. They may cause problems like: headaches, stomach pain, chest pain, weight gain or weight loss. You may also have trouble sleeping, anxiety or depression.
There are different types of treatment available for PTSD, and what works best may vary from person to person. Balance Health can help make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition in which a person experiences intrusive and unwanted thoughts, feelings, images, or sensations (obsessions) and feels the need to perform repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) to attempt to control or neutralize those obsessions.
People with OCD often recognize that their obsessions are irrational, but they cannot control them. They may try to ignore them or hide them from others. But doing so only heightens the anxiety caused by the obsessions. The compulsions people with OCD perform are meant to quell the anxiety caused by their obsessions, but they only serve to provide temporary relief. And they often end up causing distress and impairing functioning in work, school, and social life.
OCD can be a debilitating condition, but there are effective treatments available. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people with OCD can get significant relief from their symptoms.
The cause of OCD is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve a combination of biological and environmental factors.
There are effective treatments available for OCD. The most common and effective treatment is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy called exposure and response prevention (ERP). ERP involves gradually exposing the person to the thoughts, feelings, images, or sensations that cause distress (exposure) and then teaching them how to refrain from performing the compulsions (response prevention).
Other treatments that have been found to be effective include medication, psychotherapy, and support groups. Balance Health can help make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme changes in mood. People with bipolar disorder can have periods of manic highs, where they feel euphoric and full of energy, and periods of depressive lows, where they feel hopeless and tired. bipolar disorder is a serious condition that can be difficult to manage, but there are treatments available that can help.
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include:
Bipolar disorder is typically treated with a combination of medication and therapy. Medication can help stabilize your mood and prevent extreme highs and lows. Therapy can help you manage your symptoms, understand your condition and make positive lifestyle changes.
Binge eating is defined as eating an unusually large amount of food in a short period of time. Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious, life-threatening condition that is characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating. Binge eating episodes are often accompanied by feelings of shame, guilt, and embarrassment.
Binge eating disorder is a relatively new diagnosis; it was first included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 2013. BED affects people of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities. It is estimated that binge eating disorder affects 2.8% of adults in the United States.
While binge eating disorder can be difficult to overcome, there are treatment options available that can help people manage their symptoms and live healthy, fulfilling lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating disorder, please seek professional help. Balance Health offers comprehensive treatment for binge eating disorder and other eating disorders. Our team of experts will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about our program and how we can help you or your loved one heal from binge eating disorder.
When people experience anger regularly or can't control how they express their feelings of anger, it may be a sign that they need help managing their anger. Anger management is a process that can help people learn how to better control their anger and avoid outbursts.
What is anger management?
Anger management is a process that can help you to control your anger and deal with difficult situations in a more constructive way. It can involve learning how to recognise when you are becoming angry, and using techniques to calm yourself down and stay in control.
There are many different anger management techniques, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some common techniques include relaxation exercises, cognitive restructuring (changing the way you think about a situation), and communication training.
If you find that your anger is causing problems in your life, or if you have difficulty controlling your anger, it is important to seek professional help.
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. Insomnia can be short term (acute insomnia) or long term (chronic insomnia).
The main symptom of insomnia is difficulty sleeping. This may mean that you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Insomnia can also cause you to wake up feeling tired. Other symptoms include:
There are many possible causes of insomnia. Some people have trouble sleeping because of stress, anxiety, or depression. Others may have insomnia because of medical conditions like Parkinson's disease or heart failure. Some medications can also cause insomnia.
There are many different ways to treat insomnia. Some people may need to take medication to help them sleep. Others may need to change their sleep habits. For example, they may need to avoid caffeine or exercise before bedtime. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can also help people with insomnia. CBT can teach you how to change your thoughts and behaviors around sleep.
If you have insomnia, talk to us. We can work with you to help you find the best treatment for you.
A psychiatric evaluation is a health assessment that is performed by a psychiatric professional in order to determine whether an individual has a mental health disorder. A psychiatric treatment is a plan of care that is designed to address the individual’s mental health needs.
Mental health conditions that are commonly evaluated and treated by psychiatric professionals include mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder), disorders of attention and focus (such as ADHD), or mental health conditions resulting from trauma (such as PTSD)..
During a psychiatric evaluation, the individual will be asked questions about their symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The psychiatric professional will also ask questions about the individual’s family history, medical history, and social history. The purpose of the evaluation is to gather information that will help to determine whether the individual has a mental health disorder and, if so, what the best course of treatment may be. An evaluation may also include blood work or other diagnostic testing to eliminate the possibility of an underlying medical condition.
The specific components of psychiatric treatment will vary depending on the type of mental health disorder that is being treated. In general, however, psychiatric treatment typically includes some combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Medication can be used to treat symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression. Psychotherapy can help individuals to understand and work through their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Lifestyle changes (such as getting regular exercise or eating a healthy diet) can help to reduce symptoms of psychiatric disorders. As with many medications to treat certain medical illnesses, the potential side effects of some psychiatric medications require routine monitoring or through blood work or other diagnostic testing. In addition, we will monitor nutritional status, supplement intake and other health maintenance strategies, such as exercise routine and dedicated self-care.
Many psychiatric disorders will require a two-pronged approach for successful treatment: medication combined with therapy or counseling. A psychiatric provider, such as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner or a psychiatrist, can prescribe medication to help control the symptoms of your disorder. Psychiatric medication management is the process of working with a psychiatric provider to find the right medication or combination of medications to treat your specific condition.
Psychiatric medication management generally includes:
Psychiatric medication management can be an important part of successful treatment for many mental disorders, including but not limited to: anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and PTSD.
As with many medications to treat certain medical illnesses, the potential side effects of some psychiatric medications require routine monitoring or through blood work or other diagnostic testing. In addition, we will monitor nutritional status, supplement intake and other health maintenance strategies, such as exercise routine and dedicated self-care.
Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatric provider, psychologist or other mental health therapy professional.
During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps you learn how to take control of your life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills.
There are many types of psychotherapy, each with its own approach. The type of psychotherapy that's right for you depends on your individual situation. At Balance Health, we will determine if therapy at the time of a medication management appointment is sufficient or if you may benefit further from therapeutic engagement with a psychotherapist. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy, counseling, psychosocial therapy or, simply, therapy.
As with many medications to treat certain medical illnesses, the potential side effects of some psychiatric medications require routine monitoring or through blood work or other diagnostic testing. In addition, we will monitor nutritional status, supplement intake and other health maintenance strategies, such as exercise routine and dedicated self-care.
