Facts about depression, anxiety and mental health

When should I see a psychiatrist?

Many mental health issues like depression and anxiety respond well to talk therapy. However, when severe emotional distress because of irritability, constant sadness, mental pain, or feeling overwhelmed by life, lasts for more than 4-6 weeks, you may need medications. Psychiatrists have years of training to identify this situations and use the right medications to help you feel better and back on track.

What is depression?

Depression is a physical disease of the brain. As a disease of the body, the most common treatments for depression include medications and talk therapy. Both treatment modalities are offered at Resilience Psychiatry, PC. Depression does not reflect weakness, lack of moral fiber, or a spiritual or religious failings.

How common is depression?

Depression occurs in 8% (21 million) of adults and in 20% (5 million) teenagers in the United States (NIH, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression).

Is my child depressed?

Depression in children and adolescents does not present in the same way as in adults. If you noticed your child having mood changes, becoming angrier than usual, more irritable, having sleeping trouble, and more frequent behavioral problems at home or at school, then your child could have depression. It is recommended to have your child evaluated for depression or other mood disorder.

What are the symptoms of ADHD in children?

ADHD symptoms are classified in 2 groups: Hyperactivity (behavior) and Inattention. A child may have symptoms of both groups or only one. Usually, hyperactivity symptoms are easier to observe by teachers and families. Hyperactivity symptoms include inability to sit still, talking too much, interrupting others, unable to wait for their turn, etc. Inattention may be shown by having a short attention span or being easily distracted, being forgetful, making careless mistakes, seeming not to listen,

How can I confirm if my child has ADHD?

The diagnosis is done with a psychiatric evaluation. Many questionnaires and tests can confirm diagnosis and help with follow up of symptoms and to evaluate the effect of medications, but should not be used for diagnosis. CT scans, MRIs and other imaging tests help to rule out any medical causes if there are other symptoms present that mimic ADHD symptoms.

What is the treatment for ADHD?

Medications are the recommended treatment for ADHD. There are stimulants and no-stimulants medications. Both have benefits and possible side effects that should be discussed with your doctor.

Can ADHD be treated with talk therapy?

No. Multiple studies have shown no improvements in core symptoms of ADHD after short, medium and long individual therapy courses. Therapy treats other conditions that very often co occur with ADHD such as depression, anxiety and other behavioral problems.