Common Psychiatric Issues
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek out psychiatric care. Often, it is not recognized. Most people with anxiety are not nervous wrecks all the time. It tends to showsup as chronic worry, a high need for control, avoidance , internal stress, and social discomfort. Persons with anxiety are worriers and tend to overthink. It can run in their families and can cause sleep disturbances, focus and concentrations problems appearing as ADHD. Click the photo.
Depression
Depression and sadness symptoms can affect us all. Persistent sadness and low mood may be the cause of relationship issues, job stress, seasonal changes, bipolar, miscommunication, and past trauma. Sadness can cause lack of interest in things we used to enjoy, sleeping to manage moods, loss of concentration, distractibility, increased substance use, low motivation, and isolation. Drinking can increase these symptoms. Increased comfort eating or loss of appetite. click the photo.
ADHD-Like Symptoms
There are a variety of causes of focus, concentration, and distractibility problems. Many online screens do not differentiate between other causes of ADHD type symptoms such as anxiety, past trauma, depression, Bipolar, poor sleep, food sensitivities, too much screen time, processed foods diet, low physical activity, Auditory procession disorder, and mild concussions. First rule of treatment is to rule out other reasons for focus issues before treating.
Sleep Disturbances
Poor sleep can affect people at sometime in their life. Some people have struggled w/poor sleep since childhood. Others experience poor sleep with increased stress, relationship issues, reliance on alcohol, anxiety, job stress, food intolerance, chronic stress, bipolar, blood sugar imbalances, and food sensitivities. Childhood or adult trauma can also contribute to poor sleep. Poor sleep can cause focus and concentration issues leading people to think they have ADHD.
Addictions
Addictions contribute to many of the psychiatric issues above. Excess caffeine contributes to poor sleep, nervousness, and worry. Potent regular Cannabis use contributes to anxiety disorders, panic symptoms, and ADHD like symptoms. Regular alcohol dependence to manage moods leads to low mood, sleep disturbances, ADHD like symptoms, nutritional imbalances, and low motivation.
Attention Deficit Disorders
ADHD symptoms are increasing in kids and adults. Not all symptoms or online screens can tell you if you truly have ADHD. The screening process takes several visits to test, interview, and trial medications. ADHD is made worse by anxiety, depression, cannabis and alcohol dependence, and is mimicked by them. ADHD is best treated with dietary changes, supplements, increased activity, sleep management, blocking off time, and providing for brain rest. Symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by head injury. There is no cure, but significant symptoms improvement is possible.
Abuse/Trauma
"Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health problem that is characterized by a pattern of mood swings, poor self-image, and behavior problems. Symptoms commonly result in impulsive behaviors and significant difficulties in personal relationships.
Bipolar Disorders
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness marked by extreme shifts in mood and energy. There are several different types of bipolar conditions. Some clients experience swings in mood and energy, often having high-highs and low-lows. Mania is the hallmark of one kind of Bipolar and depression is the hallmark of another type of bipolar. It is a complex condition and tends to run in families. Its best treated by a bipolar specialist.