Anxiety

Treatment and Diagnosis for Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a fear of the unknown. Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming event or getting ready for a job interview, you’re likely to feel apprehensive about the situation. However, if the feeling doesn’t subside with time, you’re at risk of experiencing an anxiety attack.

Patients with panic disorders often experience intense and persistent bouts of fear and apprehension that might sometimes become uncontrollable, hence affecting the person’s quality of life. The only viable solution is to seek professional treatment.

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At Montclair Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, we offer a wide range of options to treat anxiety and panic disorder. Our highly trained anxiety doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of anxiety disorders. We encourage residents of California to pay us a visit for exceptional mental health services.

Types of Anxiety and Panic Disorders
While anxiety is a normal part of life, there are times when it becomes too much and starts interfering with your life, potentially leading to an anxiety or panic disorder. There are several types of anxiety and panic disorders, including:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Individuals with GAD experience persistent and excessive worrying about everyday things. They may experience physical symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and restlessness.
  • Social anxiety disorder: Social anxiety is when you experience high discomfort in public or when surrounded by people because of the fear of being humiliated, rejected, or embarrassed. Individuals with social anxiety may avoid situations that involve being around other people.
  • Separation anxiety disorder: Separation anxiety occurs when an individual excessively fears or worries about being away from their loved ones. They may fear something wrong could happen while they’re away, so they don’t leave or sleep without the person nearby.
  • Panic disorder: Individuals with a panic disorder often suffer from frequent panic attacks, which include distressing symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, fear, and chest pain. Some panic attacks could be so severe that you may think you’re having a heart attack.
  • Phobias: Phobias cause individuals high and sometimes uncontrollable stress, anxiety, and fear. The type of phobia differs per person, but it could be about an object, situation, or activity. For example, a common phobia is the fear of spiders.

What Kind of Anxiety Needs Treatment?
Treatment is a must if an anxiety or panic disorder has taken over your life. This is true whether the disorder is hindering you from participating in everyday activities or affecting your overall health through symptoms like sleep disturbances, upset stomach, chest pain, or increased/decreased appetite.

Do I Need Treatment for an Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorders may seem manageable at first. However, if the condition isn’t treated, it can develop into a severe mental illness. Notably, individuals who experience frequent anxiety attacks cannot live normal lives due to a constant fear of unseen dangers. In some cases, they may avoid visiting certain places or even become hostile toward their friends and relatives.
Fortunately, anxiety disorders are highly treatable. If you constantly worry over nothing tangible to the extent that it’s interfering with your work, social relations or life in general, it’s time for you to see a psychiatrist who specializes in anxiety treatment.

Anxiety and Panic Disorder Diagnosis
The causes of anxiety and panic disorders remain unknown. However, experts suggest that a previous traumatic experience or mental illness may trigger panic disorders. Medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may also increase the symptoms of anxiety disorders. The only way of finding out whether your condition is due to your physical health or caused by an underlying medical problem is to consult a psychiatrist.

Diagnosing an anxiety disorder is an intricate process that involves a number of tests and psychological evaluations. At Advanced Psychiatry Associates, we perform comprehensive tests to determine the possible causes of your condition. Our psychiatrists will speak with you about your feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Then, they’ll compare your symptoms to determine the severity of your condition. If medications are necessary, we offer on-site genetic testing to make sure our patients are prescribed safe and accurate medications.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Anxiety and panic disorders have a wide range of symptoms depending on the severity of the condition. Some of these signs may be obvious, while others are unnoticeable. Nevertheless, the common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Overwhelming fear
  • Shaking hands
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sense of choking
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Rapid pulse
  • Paranoia and fear of death

Most people detach themselves from family and friends and allow others to assume control of their lives. Some may slowly learn to cope in the short term, hoping that their worries will fade away on their own. However, left unattended, the symptoms may get worse, forcing the patient into depression. Some patients may resort to drug and alcohol abuse as a way of coping. Remember that the primary viable way of treating the disorder is to see a psychiatrist.
Best Treatment for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Individuals can get many forms of treatment when they experience frequent anxiety and panic attacks. Some of the best treatments include:

  • Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy or talk therapy is often the first choice for treatment. It includes talking through your worries, fears, and any other difficulties you have in life with a mental health professional. During your sessions, you may discover the underlying reasons for your attacks and learn coping mechanisms for handling them.
  • Medication: Medication is another treatment option for anxiety and panic attacks. Taking medication can help subdue the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks by targeting specific brain chemicals and signals that cause you excessive fear. Some medications may slow down your nervous system, helping you sleep and feel better.
  • Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy or talk therapy is often the first choice for treatment. It includes talking through your worries, fears, and any other difficulties you have in life with a mental health professional. During your sessions, you may discover the underlying reasons for your attacks and learn coping mechanisms for handling them.
  • Medication: Medication is another treatment option for anxiety and panic attacks. Taking medication can help subdue the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks by targeting specific brain chemicals and signals that cause you excessive fear. Some medications may slow down your nervous system, helping you sleep and feel better.

Depression

Depression Diagnosis and Treatment

Depression alters how you feel, think and act during your daily activities at home and work. It may hinder or otherwise impact your ability to eat, sleep, work, study or relate with others. Going through the day becomes tough and even overwhelming.
When depression disorders set in, there’s a constant expectation that a sudden mishap or problem will arise. It may also be marked by a feeling of emptiness, lifelessness and apathy. However, you can get your depression treated before it becomes more serious. No matter how helpless or hopeless you feel now, you can still get better with the right treatment.
At Advanced Psychiatry Associates, we provide comprehensive treatment for depression and other mental health issues. If you live in California, you can visit our mental health facility for a full evaluation of your condition. When you understand the cause of your depression and you recognize the signs, you’re on your way to feeling better and overcoming the problem.

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What’s the Difference Between Depression and Anxiety?

Depression and anxiety can overlap, but they are not the same. Anxiety can be described as a constant state of worry. It’s normal to feel worried and fearful occasionally, but anxiety goes beyond average levels. It can take over someone’s life, stopping them from doing what they love.

Depression is a feeling of extreme sadness and apathy. Those with depression often feel like they are weighed down by a dark shadow, causing hopelessness and lethargy. Depression can start following a traumatic experience, the loss of a loved one or even a medical cause like genetics or puberty.

These mental struggles can influence each other — this is where they overlap and are often co-morbid. In most experiences, depression can occur following extended periods of anxiety, as the constant worry becomes too much and influences a person to stay where they’re safe — often alone inside their house.

Types of Depression

The overarching category of depression can take on different forms, usually due to varying events that initiate its symptoms. Some of these include:

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD): MDD is diagnosed if you feel depressed most of the time for most of the days in a week, in addition to experiencing at least four other diagnostic criteria within a two-week period.
  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): SAD is a period of MDD within the colder months with little to no sunlight. It can resolve itself in the spring and summer.
  • Major depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms: Those experiencing this disorder will have MDD symptoms alongside hallucinations, paranoia and delusions.
  • Postpartum depression: Women can experience postpartum depression in the weeks and months following the birth of their child.

Most Common Symptoms and Side Effects of Depression

Depression presents differently in each person, but there are common signs. Some symptoms are a part of everyday life, which is why many people don’t recognize they have depression until after it’s treated. However, if you notice these physical and mental health symptoms persisting, you may have depression:

  • Abnormal sleep: Having difficulty sleeping (insomnia), waking up long before dawn or sleeping excessively
  • Impulsivity or restlessness: Feeling restless or making impulsive decisions frequently
  • Persistent anger: Agitation, mood swings, lashing out and violent behavior
  • Feelings of hopelessness: Having a feeling that things will not improve and you can’t do anything to make the situation better
  • Lack of energy: Feeling weak, sluggish and worn out. You find it difficult to move your body, and carrying out little tasks leaves you exhausted
  • Reckless behavior: Excessive gambling, substance abuse or other high-risk activities
  • Poor concentration: Getting distracted easily or inexplicable memory loss
  • Increased aches and pains: Having pains in different parts of the body like the head, stomach, back and limbs

Depression symptoms also break down into age groups:

  • Children: For children, depression is uncommon but still possible. It’s exhibited through a loss of interest in favorite activities, changed eating habits, clinginess or avoidance of school.
  • Teens: Teens can show depression differently, such as through experiencing extreme mood changes, lashing out, sleeping too much or engaging in harmful behaviors.
  • Adults: As adulthood begins, individuals can develop depression due to major changes. Midlife adults are often under financial stress, isolation and many responsibilities. Both stages of life can influence isolation as a coping technique.
  • Elderly people: As individuals grow older, they can become depressed due to physical limitations and health problems. They may also self-isolate following the loss of a loved one. Some health medications can also influence depressive symptoms.
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What Are the Treatment Options for Clinical Depression?

Depression is often initiated by a trauma, medical condition or another mental health struggle. Whatever the cause, treatment can help address the root issue, offering a much more effective and positive outcome.
Natural Remedies
If depressive symptoms are mild, doctors will often offer natural remedies to try at home. These can include:

  • Herbal products: St. John’s wort is a medicinal herb often used for moderate depression. However, consult a medical professional before taking it, as it can interact with other medications.
  • Relaxation techniques: Progressive muscle relaxation, music therapy and yoga are effective depression treatments.
  • Exercise: Many people find that moving their bodies can stimulate endorphins and influence mood boosting.

Medical Intervention

There are two main medical treatment options for clinical depression: medication and therapy. Therapy involves using psychology and personal interaction to change a patient’s behavior. Medication can help correct chemical imbalances that may cause or contribute to severe depressive feelings.
Using medicine and therapy together yields a higher rate of improvement than when used alone, especially with chronic depression.

A wide range of antidepressant medications is available for treating depression. Often, a patient will try multiple medications before finding one that works, but patience is necessary. The effectiveness of antidepressants also depends on improving sleep and appetite, which can heavily influence well-being.
Therapy and counseling can help you develop resiliency, leading to a better view of yourself. Since self-imposed negative views mark depression, you can learn to develop more positive thought patterns through therapy. Therapy also helps reduce signs of depression by improving your relationships with others.
Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment for Depression

The most effective way to overcome depression and manage your mood is to consult a mental health professional. Even before you decide to make lifestyle changes and do other purposeful things to manage your moods, you should make an appointment to see a specialist and get a detailed psychiatric diagnosis for depression.

At Montclair Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, we offer you a thorough checkup at our facility. Our diagnosis includes thorough examinations and tests carried out at our on-site lab and a thorough mental health evaluation. Depression will only stop when underlying health issues are diagnosed and treated.

During diagnosis, we’ll ask you several questions about your symptoms and health history. You’ll need to complete a questionnaire to provide more information about your condition. We will conduct medical tests to be sure that your depression isn’t the result of poor nutrition, hormone levels, drug reactions or substance use. These results can help us develop your personalized treatment plan for depression.

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If you’re looking for where to get depression treatment or talk to a professional. We’re a one-stop mental health facility that provides therapy, testing, diagnosis and treatment on-site for a wide range of mental health conditions.
We have multiple individualized treatment plans for depression starting from 12 years of age. We also make it easy for you to pay for treatment by accepting major insurance providers, including HMOs, Medicare and workers’ compensation plans. We also accept cash.

To learn more about treatment for depression, addiction or any other mental health issue, complete our contact form or use the live chat feature. We’ll help you find a treatment plan starting today.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Almost everyone experiences random and intrusive thoughts. Most people can dismiss them and move on. Others may become trapped by these thoughts, obsessing over them and engaging in repetitive impulses, urges or compulsions. People with these thoughts and actions likely have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Do you suspect you or a loved one has OCD? Receiving treatment can help you manage symptoms and learn coping mechanisms to make life easier. If you need OCD treatment in Northern or Southern California, Advanced Psychiatry Associates can help. We offer treatment for people with OCD to ensure they have a support system and tools to help them lead happier lives.

What Does OCD Feel Like?

OCD is a mental health illness closely related to anxiety. The condition makes individuals have an overwhelming amount of uncontrollable, intrusive and obsessive thoughts that consume them, and some of the only ways to soothe the thoughts are through illogical compulsive behaviors. Compulsions and obsessions can take up an individual’s time and cause significant mental and physical distress or discomfort. Thoughts may cause intense feelings of fear, doubt and disgust.

When trying to explain OCD, it can be hard for people without it to understand because of the condition’s nuances. Often, individuals with OCD feel like they have no control over their brain and mind because their tendencies have them focused on behaving or doing things “just right” to mitigate the likelihood that their anxious thoughts will become a reality. Individuals with OCD know their habits and thoughts are irrational, but their condition makes quitting difficult.

Types and Symptoms of OCD

There aren’t official OCD types, but some symptoms occur so often with people experiencing similar things that some kinds of OCD fall into categories, such as:

  • Germs and contamination
  • Sexual or aggressive thoughts
  • Religion and morality
  • Fear OCD
  • Symmetry and order
  • Responsibility OCD

As a result of various OCD types, people with OCD may experience symptoms like:

  • Concerns about contamination
  • Intense stress about the order and symmetry of objects
  • Unpleasant and unwanted sexual images or thoughts
  • Repeatedly checking if you’ve locked your doors
  • Washing your hands until the skin becomes raw
  • Counting in specific patterns

Symptom severity depends on the person, but every symptom a person experiences is time-consuming and unwanted. If you are experiencing or struggling with OCD symptoms, work with the professionals at Advanced Psychiatry Associates to learn coping mechanisms that can provide relief.

Treating OCD for Adults and Teens

Our psychiatrist specializing in OCD provides a diagnosis, counseling plan and medications necessary to help you or a loved one manage the condition. While most people with OCD demonstrate signs of the disease during childhood, it is often not diagnosed until early adulthood.

The unique approach used by Montclair assists patients who need immediate and long-term assistance in a caring environment. We serve patients across California.  

We are a one-stop location where you can receive treatment and support to succeed. You or a loved one can get everything you need here in treating your OCD. We address a range of concerns with our on-site facilities. Just a few of our capabilities include:

  • Medication management for your prescriptions
  • Recovery assistance
  • Therapy

Our team gets to know our patients to offer personalized care. We create patient plans based on individual needs and never take a one-size-fits-all approach. Plus, we accept all major insurance providers as well as Medicaid and workers’ compensation benefits. If you want to pay in cash, you can — we make our system as flexible and responsive as possible to give the support you or a loved one need.

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OCD therapy in California can help you or someone you love control symptoms and shift thinking, so impulses no longer rule the day. Seeking aid can change someone’s life for the better.

If you think you or a loved one may suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, seek treatment at our facilities in California. Contact us today by filling out our online contact form, calling one of our nine locations, or using our online chat function, located in the bottom left of the page. We are here to offer obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment in California when you are ready.

Bipolar Disorder / Sleep Disorders

Types of Bipolar Disorder

The broad diagnosis of bipolar disorder breaks down into specific types, each characterized by its own symptoms.

Bipolar I

Bipolar I is the most commonly discussed version of bipolar disorder. This type is marked by extreme mood swings, from manic episodes to periods of depression. People with this disorder often find managing daily tasks and relationships difficult.

Mania is a mental health condition characterized by extreme moods and energy levels. Some symptoms include:

  • Feeling extremely happy for a long time
  • Talking rapidly with racing thoughts
  • Feeling restless or acting impulsively
  • Losing concentration easily
  • Overinflated self-esteem
  • Delusions or hallucinations
  • Engaging in risky behaviors such as unprotected impulsive sex, engaging in spending sprees or gambling with life savings

Depressive symptoms include:

  • Severe fatigue and loss of energy
  • Lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed
  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Difficulty concentrating and memory loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Prolonged feelings of hopelessness and sadness
  • Attempting suicide or feeling preoccupied with death

Bipolar II

Bipolar II is often confused as a milder version of bipolar I — however, it is a completely separate diagnosis. Bipolar II is present when a person experiences depressive and hypomanic episodes but not full manic episodes as described in bipolar I. Those with bipolar II can often experience more drawn-out and severe periods of depression.

Hypomania

Described as a typical factor in bipolar II, hypomania is an energized mood or behavior outside your typical personality. Hypomania is a less severe version of bipolar I mania, often not lasting as long and not significantly interfering with social, work or school functioning.

Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment

We conduct a series of tests to determine your symptoms. These usually include the following:

  • Physical examination: We conduct a complete physical exam to examine your physcial health
  • Mental health evaluation: We evaluate your mental health and look for symptoms of bipolar disorder
  • Mood chart or journal: You may need to chart your moods to confirm the signs of this disorder, including telling us how you’re feeling and how long the feelings last

Various bipolar treatment options are available at Advanced Psychiatry Associates, including counseling, medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. Medications will help you stabilize your mood and deal with depression and anxiety disorders.

We also offer a variety of psychotherapy treatments, such as talk therapy, counseling and social rhythm therapy. Further, we implement lifestyle changes to help you manage bipolar disorder by taking manageable steps such as recognizing mood swings and keeping a routine for sleeping and eating.

Is Bipolar Disorder Curable?

While doctors aren’t entirely certain of bipolar disorder’s specific cause, they believe a chemical imbalance in the brain initiates it. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters and are involved in brain functioning.

Norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin are the most common neurotransmitters in the brain, controlling energy, mood and memory. Any imbalance in these chemicals is thought to cause the frequent mood swings characterizing bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is also thought to be genetic. People who develop bipolar often have a genetic connection to depression or bipolar disorder. An individual’s first bipolar episode can be triggered by trauma or addiction as an attempt to break from reality.

As of now, bipolar disorder is not curable but can be significantly improved with treatment. Treatment options for bipolar often involve lifestyle changes along with psychiatry services to best manage symptoms and behaviors.

You can now start incorporating the following lifestyle changes as healthy coping mechanisms for bipolar disorder.

  • Consistent sleep: During a manic phase, managing a regular sleep schedule can be challenging. Conversely, depressive episodes can cause prolonged periods of rest. Maintaining consistency by going to bed and waking up at the same times each day can help your body adjust.
  • Nutritious diet: Fluctuating neurotransmitter levels and moods can cause individuals to crave sweets or carbohydrates instead of a balanced diet, often leading to health risks. Consuming fruits and vegetables can help someone with bipolar disorder reduce their diabetes or obesity risks.
  • Regular exercise: Exercise is a natural mood and energy regulator and has shown significant results for bipolar disorder, encouraging less depressive episodes and healthy management of manic episodes. An individual’s exercise plan can depend on the physical and psychological factors involved with their bipolar disorder.
  • Practicing moderation: Individuals with bipolar disorder are often partial to addictive and impulsive behaviors, especially during manic episodes. Awareness of their susceptibility is a good first step, and added accountability from loved ones can decrease the risk.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

The first step to managing bipolar disorder is consulting a bipolar diagnosis specialist. Advanced Psychiatry Associates has a complete diagnostic center for patients needing bipolar treatment in Folsom, CA. Before prescribing the best treatment plan and medication, we’ll provide a thorough evaluation.

During your evaluation, our resident bipolar therapist will ask about your feelings, thoughts and behavior patterns. You may fill out a questionnaire or self-assessment. After we get your permission, your close friends or family members may be asked to provide information about your behavior.

Our doctors are highly skilled in treating bipolar disorder and related mental health conditions. You can manage bipolar disorder symptoms effectively with a lifetime treatment plan. Our physicians and therapists can help you manage your symptoms to live a more stable and fulfilling life. This may or may not include medications we’ve found effective, and they could help you balance your mood immediately.

Bipolar disorder requires maintenance treatment even when you’re feeling good. We provide counseling and support to help keep your symptoms under control. Skipping this treatment can cause a relapse of symptoms, and these mood swings can lead to severe depressive episodes.

Meet With California Psychiatrists Specializing in Bipolar Disorders

Bipolar can affect all aspects of your life, including your mood, behavior and energy level. However, seeing a psychiatrist specializing in treating this condition early will improve your chances of managing it effectively. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition, so it requires treatment for life.

If you want to know where to get bipolar disorder treatment in California, visit Advanced Psychiatry Associates today. We offer a reliable, one-stop medical center for all mental health issues, diagnoses and treatments. We provide mental health services for our patients, including medication management, psychotherapy and counseling for those who are at least 14 years old.

We also offer patient-friendly financing options. You can pay for treatment through major insurance providers, including Medicare and workers’ compensation plans. You may also pay in cash.

For more details about our mental health services or for immediate medical help, please complete our contact form or use our live chat to talk with one of our representatives now. Our mental health professionals are fully prepared to provide the help you need.

Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder (SUD), also called drug addiction and substance abuse, is a disease that affects millions of Californians. In 2022, 9% of California residents met the criteria for an SUD diagnosis.

Trying a drug once or having a few drinks at a friend’s birthday party doesn’t necessarily mean you have an SUD. A hallmark of addiction is the inability to control drug use — despite the consequences.

If you struggle with addiction, know there’s hope for brighter days ahead. Substance use disorder is treatable, and we can help you get your life back on track.

Types of Substance Abuse

A person can become addicted to just about anything. Still, some substances are more harmful than others and can greatly impact a person’s ability to function. Certain drugs, like opioids, can lead to an overdose death — over 10,000 Californians died from a drug overdose in 2021.

Substances commonly misused in California include:

Opioids

Opioids include prescription medications like Vicodin and OxyContin. This category of substances also includes heroin.

Opioids are a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that slows down brain activity. They’re extremely addictive and can lead to withdrawal symptoms in just a few hours after the last dose. Someone with an opioid addiction may need to take the drug to feel OK.

Stimulants

Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines increase heart rate, reduce appetite and create a sense of euphoria. At higher doses, they can lead to anxiety, seizures and death.

People take stimulants to feel confident and powerful. Some people use stimulants to have more energy for work or school. These substances are highly addictive and can lead a person to experience intense cravings if they try to quit.

Alcohol

Like opioids, alcohol is a CNS depressant. Many people use alcohol to cope with stress or feel good during difficult times. Repeated alcohol use can cause changes in the brain and lead to habit formation and addiction.

Alcohol addiction is characterized by an impulse to drink and an inability to control alcohol use. If you struggle with alcohol addiction, you might also experience negative emotions when you can’t drink.

Cannabis

Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that can act as a depressant or stimulant, depending on the strain and the person. While cannabis may be used for medicinal and recreational purposes in California, it doesn’t mean it’s without risk.

It is possible to develop a dependence on marijuana and experience negative consequences due to frequent use. For example, cannabis addiction can lead to memory and learning issues. It can also affect a person’s ability to sleep, relax or feel content without cannabis.

If you’re struggling with addiction to any substance, we can help you move toward a healthier, happier life.

What Causes Substance Abuse?

There’s no single known cause of addiction. However, certain factors, like genetics, can increase a person’s chance of using substances and developing addiction. Other factors that can lead someone to form an addiction include:

  • Mental health issue: People often use substances to relieve symptoms of depression, an anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder. Sometimes, people misuse substances to help them sleep when nothing else seems to work.
  • Stress: Experiencing stressors like divorce or debt might drive someone to use drugs as an escape.
  • Social pressure: Spending time with others who use drugs or alcohol to have fun, socialize or cope with life’s problems can make it seem OK to use. The wrong group of friends might also encourage someone to take drugs or drink, even if the person doesn’t want to.
  • Physical pain: Some people can become addicted to prescription drugs such as opioids to relieve intense pain. These medications may be obtained through a doctor’s prescription or illicitly from a friend or drug dealer.

Symptoms of Substance Abuse

Most substance abuse starts with the recreational use of drugs like alcohol, nicotine, marijuana or heroin in social situations.

Addiction occurs when the excessive use of the drug changes the brain’s normal functioning. Some of the signs that you need to consult a substance abuse doctor include:

  • A strong feeling that you must use the drug several times a day
  • Having a strong urge for the drug that blocks out all other thoughts
  • Taking a greater quantity of the drug than you want over a long period
  • Spending money on the drug, even when you can’t afford it
  • Using the drug continuously, even when you know it’s interfering with your life
  • Stealing and lying to get the drug
  • Losing your ability to control your desire to get the drug even when you want to stop

Know that anyone can develop an addiction at any time. But it’s never too late to heal and recover.

Treatment Options for Substance Abuse in California

The type of treatment you should receive depends on the type of drug used and any related mental health issues you may have. Usually, an effective treatment program provides individual and family therapy sessions and helps you understand the type of addiction you have.

Evaluation and Diagnosis

The first step in treatment is to get evaluated by a psychiatrist for drug addiction. A psychiatrist will perform a complete evaluation and assess your symptoms and medical history to diagnose you or your loved one. A licensed addiction counselor may also interview you.

If you live in northern or southern California, contact one of our full-service mental health facilities to take the first step. We have one of the most comprehensive treatment centers in the state, with a highly skilled and compassionate team of addiction psychiatrists and counselors.

Detoxification or Withdrawal Management

When you stop taking a drug or using alcohol, you might experience withdrawal. Withdrawal can cause uncomfortable symptoms, ranging from insomnia to increased anxiety. In some cases, it’s dangerous to go through withdrawal alone.

Withdrawal management aims to help you remove the substance from your body as safely and comfortably as possible. We closely monitor our patients and provide medication to help relieve pain and minimize discomfort.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or counseling, is an important part of recovering from a substance use disorder. With a counselor’s care and support, you’ll learn:

  • How to cope with drug cravings
  • How to rebuild relationships with family, friends and colleagues
  • The root cause of addictive behaviors
  • Techniques that help prevent relapse

With the right treatment plan and support, you or your loved one can overcome the harmful effects of drug addiction and regain full control of your life. The first challenge is admitting that you have a substance abuse problem and need help.

A Substance Abuse Psychiatrist Can Help

If you or your loved one has a substance abuse issue, don’t put off getting help. Seek professional guidance from a psychiatrist immediately.

Remember that overcoming addiction isn’t just a matter of using your willpower. Substance or drug abuse changes the way your brain works, and this causes very intense cravings and a compelling desire to use. The change in the brain makes it very difficult to stop.

For more details about overcoming drug addiction or mental illness, call us at Advanced Psychiatry Associates today. We offer treatment for teens and adults. Our comfortable outpatient psychiatric facility provides all the services you need to receive a diagnosis, treatment, medication and therapy. We accept all major health insurance providers, including Medicare and HMOs.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or get in touch with a mental health professional — we’re ready to help you right now.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a life-altering illness that affects you and your loved ones. Receiving a diagnosis and the proper treatment as soon as you recognize the signs can help reduce schizophrenia’s harmful symptoms in your life.

Advanced Psychiatry Associates provides the care you need at our facilities. We care about your happiness and mental well-being — we’ll work with you and learn more about you to develop a schizophrenia treatment that lets you take control of your life.

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What Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental illness consisting of active delusions, hallucinations, the perception of hearing voices, paranoia and exaggerated perceptions. Despite what many believe, schizophrenia is not the same as split personality or multiple personality disorder.

Schizophrenia can have several causes, with the three most common being:

  1. Chemical signal imbalances with dopamine and glutamate neurotransmitters
  2. A loss of connections in the brain
  3. Complications with brain development before birth

While the suspected causes have not been confirmed, there are risk factors related to developing schizophrenia, including:

  • The environment: Several factors can influence your risk of schizophrenia, such as exposure to toxins or viruses. Some autoimmune diseases or infections can also affect your brain and neurotransmitter connections.
  • Developmental complications: Your developmental progress as a fetus can interfere with your mental health in the future, creating a higher risk for schizophrenia. Developmental concerns are especially possible if your birth parent had preeclampsia, malnutrition, gestational diabetes or a vitamin D deficiency while pregnant.
  • Recreational drug use: Taking psychoactive or psychotropic drugs recreationally as a teen or young adult can impact your brain health, increasing your chances of developing schizophrenia. After taking these drugs for a certain amount of time, it can be challenging for your brain to determine what is real vs. what is your imagination.
  • Childhood trauma: There is also a correlation between trauma and development of schizophrenia — particularly childhood trauma. The effects of specific gene variants can interact with trauma to change brain functioning, and trauma itself can have neurobiological effects on bodily systems and certain areas of the brain.

Experts are still discovering more about schizophrenia. Initially, they broke it down into five categories — paranoid, hebephrenic, residual, catatonic and undifferentiated schizophrenia. However, these subtypes proved unproductive in diagnosis, as most symptoms could not be placed under the criteria of each category. Now, schizophrenia is thought of as a spectrum disorder, including conditions such as:

  • Schizotypal personality disorder
  • Delusional disorder
  • Brief psychotic disorder
  • Schizophreniform disorder
  • Schizoaffective disorder

The most common time for a person to receive a schizophrenia diagnosis is in their late teens and early 20s. However, individuals sometimes receive a diagnosis as late as their early 30s. Some of the first signs of the illness include a loss of interest and motivation, trouble sleeping, strange thoughts, a diminished ability to follow through with responsibilities and withdrawal from friends and loved ones.

What Are the Symptoms of Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia can influence different patients in different ways with varying degrees of severity. However, it’s still crucial for people with this illness to get psychiatric treatment. If left untreated, these signs can worsen and become symptoms that significantly affect the patient’s quality of life. Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Disorganized thinking: Schizophrenia can cause cognitive issues, such as the inability to focus on tasks or the tendency to jump from one subject to another in conversation. A person might also have memory issues, making them seem forgetful and scattered.
  • Delusions and hallucinations: Some of the most well-known effects of schizophrenia are delusions and hallucinations, which can alter the patient’s sense of reality. Those affected by schizophrenia may hear, see, feel, taste or smell sensations that aren’t there. Similarly, some patients can develop false beliefs — these range from the patient thinking they’re stronger or more powerful than they are to thinking others are trying to hurt or manipulate them.
  • Apathy: People who live with schizophrenia sometimes experience apathy, which involves a lack of interest in life or the activities they would otherwise enjoy. This is an example of a negative symptom in schizophrenia — the reduction of a regular trait or behavior. A person may also have diminished expressions and unusual perceptions and experience social withdrawal.
  • Inappropriate emotional expression: Schizophrenia patients commonly deal with emotions in abnormal ways. This includes either failing to respond or responding minimally to major positive and negative events. Other patients can also display inappropriate emotional reactions in situations that usually elicit expressions.

How to Treat Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia has no known cure, but certain treatments can help manage its symptoms. Advanced Psychiatry Associates provides the following treatment options:

  • Medication management: Physicians often address schizophrenia with antipsychotic medications, which block how your brain misuses certain chemicals for cellular communication. As part of your treatment plan, our professionals will prescribe you the proper medication for your individual situation and put you on a schedule suiting your medical needs.
  • Psychotherapy and counseling: Our psychotherapy and counseling services let you engage in a healthy, open discussion with a medical specialist as you undergo schizophrenia treatment. Our specialists can help you develop coping strategies to implement daily, making schizophrenia more manageable for you and your loved ones. Long-term psychotherapy and counseling can also address any secondary conditions arising from schizophrenia, including depression or anxiety.

Receive Help From a Schizophrenia Specialist in California

At Montclair Psychiatry, we strive to provide care that will help you and other mental health patients lead happier, more productive lives. Schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment can be a challenging long-term process, but it can also make a major difference in your daily life and the lives of the people you care about.

Our staff has years of experience working in the mental health field and is prepared to find you the services you need. At your initial appointment, we will take the time to get to know you and learn more about your diagnosis. We can then talk about your treatment goals and options. Each appointment will be treatment-based, following a personalized plan to meet your needs.

Contact Montclair Psychiatry and Internal Medicine for Schizophrenia Treatment

Contactus at [email protected] today!

 

PTSD (Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear is a part of the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, which helps us avoid or respond to potential danger. People may experience a range of reactions after trauma, and most people recover from initial symptoms over time. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD.

Who gets PTSD?

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. This includes combat veterans and people who have experienced or witnessed a physical or sexual assault, abuse, an accident, a disaster, or other serious events. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are not in danger.

According to the National Center for PTSD , a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about six out of every 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men. Certain aspects of the traumatic event and some biological factors (such as genes) may make some people more likely to develop PTSD.

What are the signs and symptoms of PTSD?

Symptoms of PTSD usually begin within 3 months of the traumatic event, but they sometimes emerge later. To meet the criteria for PTSD, a person must have symptoms for longer than 1 month, and the symptoms must be severe enough to interfere with aspects of daily life, such as relationships or work. The symptoms also must be unrelated to medication, substance use, or other illness.

The course of the disorder varies. Some people recover within 6 months, while others have symptoms that last for 1 year or longer. People with PTSD often have co-occurring conditions, such as depression, substance use, or one or more anxiety disorders.

After a dangerous event, it is natural to have some symptoms. For example, some people may feel detached from the experience, as though they are observing things rather than experiencing them. A mental health professional who has experience helping people with PTSD, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker, can determine whether symptoms meet the criteria for PTSD.

To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have all of the following for at least 1 month:

  • At least one re-experiencing symptom
  • At least one avoidance symptom
  • At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms
  • At least two cognition and mood symptoms

Re-experiencing symptoms include:

  • Experiencing flashbacks—reliving the traumatic event, including physical symptoms such as a racing heart or sweating
  • Having recurring memories or dreams related to the event
  • Having distressing thoughts
  • Experiencing physical signs of stress

Thoughts and feelings can trigger these symptoms, as can words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event.

Avoidance symptoms include:

  • Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the traumatic experience
  • Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event

Avoidance symptoms may cause people to change their routines. For example, some people may avoid driving or riding in a car after a serious car accident.

Arousal and reactivity symptoms include:

  • Being easily startled
  • Feeling tense, on guard, or on edge
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Feeling irritable and having angry or aggressive outbursts
  • Engaging in risky, reckless, or destructive behavior

Arousal symptoms are often constant. They can lead to feelings of stress and anger and may interfere with parts of daily life, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating.

Cognition and mood symptoms include:

  • Having trouble remembering key features of the traumatic event
  • Having negative thoughts about oneself or the world
  • Having exaggerated feelings of blame directed toward oneself or others
  • Having ongoing negative emotions, such as fear, anger, guilt, or shame
  • Losing interest in enjoyable activities
  • Having feelings of social isolation
  • Having difficulty feeling positive emotions, such as happiness or satisfaction

Cognition and mood symptoms can begin or worsen after the traumatic event. They can lead a person to feel detached from friends or family members.

Children and teens can have extreme reactions to trauma, but some of their symptoms may not be the same as those seen in adults. In children younger than age 6, these symptoms can include:

  • Wetting the bed after having learned to use the toilet
  • Forgetting how to talk or being unable to talk
  • Acting out the scary event during playtime
  • Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult

Older children and teens usually show symptoms more like those seen in adults. They also may develop disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behaviors. Older children and teens may feel guilty for not preventing injury or deaths. They may also have thoughts of revenge.

Learn more about how to help children and adolescents cope with disasters and other traumatic events.

How is PTSD treated?

It is important for anyone with PTSD symptoms to work with a mental health professional who has experience treating PTSD. The main treatments are psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of psychotherapy and medications. A mental health professional can help people find the best treatment plan for their symptoms and needs.

Some people with PTSD, such as those in abusive relationships, may be living through ongoing trauma. In these cases, treatment is usually most effective when it addresses both the traumatic situation and the symptoms of PTSD. People who experience traumatic events or who have PTSD also may experience panic disorder, depression, substance use, or suicidal thoughts. Treatment for these conditions can help with recovery after trauma. Research shows that support from family and friends also can be an important part of recovery.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) includes a variety of treatment techniques that mental health professionals use to help people identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Psychotherapy can provide support, education, and guidance to people with PTSD and their families. Treatment can take place one on one or in a group and usually lasts 6 to 12 weeks but can last longer.

Some types of psychotherapy target PTSD symptoms, while others focus on social, family, or job-related problems. Effective psychotherapies often emphasize a few key components, including learning skills to help identify triggers and manage symptoms.

One common type of psychotherapy, called cognitive behavioral therapy, can include exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring:

  • Exposure therapy helps people learn to manage their fear by gradually exposing them, in a safe way, to the trauma they experienced. As part of exposure therapy, people may think or write about the trauma or visit the place where it happened. This therapy can help people with PTSD reduce symptoms that cause them distress.
  • Cognitive restructuring helps people make sense of the traumatic event. Sometimes people remember the event differently from how it happened. They may feel guilt or shame about something that is not their fault. Cognitive restructuring can help people with PTSD think about what happened in a realistic way.

Medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant medication, for the treatment of PTSD. SSRIs may help manage PTSD symptoms such as sadness, worry, anger, and feeling emotionally numb. Health care providers may prescribe SSRIs and other medications along with psychotherapy. Some medications may help treat specific PTSD symptoms, such as sleep problems and nightmares.

People should work with their health care providers to find the best medication or combination of medications and the right dose. To find the latest information about medications, talk to a health care provider and visit the FDA website .

How can I find help for PTSD?

If you’re not sure where to get help, a health care provider can refer you to a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist with experience treating PTSD. Find tips to help prepare for and get the most out of your visit and information about getting help.