Psychiatry & Therapy in Durham, NC
Psychiatry that hasn't lost the human touch
Wellness First Psychiatric Associates
Treating Anxiety and Related Disorders at Wellness First Psychiatric Associates in Durham, NC
Mental health consists of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. Mental health also determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. By addressing mental health issues, we can realize our potential, and live lives with purpose and meanin
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Anxiety
First, we should say that anxiety is not always a disorder. Non-pathological anxiety is an unpleasant emotion that signals a person to be careful. In contrast, pathological anxiety acts like a bully and can often lead to inhibitions that restrict a person's ability to live life freely. The inhibitions related to anxiety disorders are often insidious, with patients often lacking insight and mistaking the inhibition as a preference for not to participating in certain activities.
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According to data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
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About 19.1% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder each year, which is nearly 1 in 5 adults.
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Over a lifetime, about 31.1% of adults in the U.S. will experience some form of anxiety disorder.
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Anxiety disorders are more common in women than in men, with women being about 60% more likely to be affected.
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Treatment Options
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While there is a spectrum of anxiety problems, from panic disorder to OCD, treatment usually involves a combination of medications and counseling.
Depression
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What Is Depression?
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Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by a persistent low mood or loss of interest in activities, often with significant impairment in daily life. Causes include a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. In any given case, the respective weight of these dimensions may vary.
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Types of Depression
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There are many different types of depression. One common but confounding type is bipolar depression. While not inherently more severe or more difficult to treat than other types of depression, its treatment is different, as standard antidepressants often fail to help a patient achieve stability. Complicating our assessment of someone who appears depressed is the fact that sadness and grief, though very painful, are not pathological and can be a normal response to challenges in life.
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Prevalence in Adults
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About 8.4% of U.S. adults experienced a major depressive episode in 2020, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). This translates to approximately 21 million adults.
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Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men, with 10.5% of women experiencing major depression in a year compared to 6.2% of men.
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Depression tends to be more prevalent among adults aged 18–25, affecting 17% of this age group.
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Treatment Options
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The mainstay of treatment is usually a combination of medication and talk therapy. Medications to treat depression have been around for decades; however, exciting new treatments are emerging that may revamp theories on depression’s biological causes. Ketamine-based treatments such as Spravato® (esketamine) have received FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression.Ketamine not only has a novel and strong biological effect but also offers the promise of enhancing counseling due to its quasi-hypnotic qualities.
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Counseling as part of the treatment approach often involves facing loss: actively seeking alternatives for a loss, or creatively finding ways to accept that which cannot be changed. The latter is closely related to what we call mourning.
Bipolar Disorder (BPD)
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
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Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by recurrent changes in mood, energy, and activity level. These mood shifts occur along a spectrum of severity, ranging from milder mood instability to the more classic presentation of manic-depressive illness. The majority of individuals with bipolar disorder fall on the less severe end of this spectrum.
Bipolar depression is relatively common and does not necessarily involve greater impairment than other forms of depression. A common clinical challenge is that many people with bipolar disorder initially seek care because they feel depressed. When bipolar disorder is not recognized, treatment with standard antidepressant medications alone may be ineffective or destabilizing. Individuals with bipolar disorder typically require a more specialized treatment approach.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not fully understood. Current evidence suggests that a combination of genetic vulnerability, environmental stressors, and differences in brain structure and chemistry play a role. Manic or hypomanic episodes may involve symptoms such as increased energy, reduced need for sleep, and changes in judgment or behavior. In more severe cases, episodes can include a loss of contact with reality.
Treatment Options
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Bipolar disorder is highly treatable, but its pharmacologic management involves important nuances. Because treatment differs significantly from that of unipolar depression, referral to a psychiatrist or mental health specialist is often appropriate when bipolar disorder is suspected.