Depression
Over 300 million people are affected annually by depression, making it one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. At Vortex Psychiatry, we are committed to providing comprehensive mental health services to those who struggle with depression.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mental health condition that can affect the entire body, including the brain. It can negatively alter the way you think, behave, and feel. It may be defined as persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and unrest that last longer than a few weeks.
Symptoms
Anyone can feel sad or even depressed at times. However, depression is a more intense feeling compared to the normal feelings of sadness. Depression is a mental illness that has a wide range of symptoms which can make it difficult to manage and maintain a good quality of life. They can impact a person’s ability to function, maintain relationships, keep commitments, or complete tasks.
Symptoms vary from person to person and appear during the night and day. Common symptoms or signs of depression include:
- A feeling of ongoing sadness, anxiety, or “emptiness”
- Aches or body pain such as migraines, cramps, or digestive problems
- Changes in appetite
- Decreased energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling inadequate
- Inability to make decisions
- Loss of interest
- Low self-esteem
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Treatment
Often depression cannot be managed or treated alone. If you or a loved one has begun to show signs or symptoms of depression, seek help.
Fortunately, depression can be treated, and you can find relief from symptoms and improve your quality of life.
At Vortex Psychiatry, we offer individual and group therapies, behavioral therapy, medication, consultation services, and will work with you to customize a treatment plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. Treatment can vary from therapy, lifestyle changes, stress management, prescription medication such as antidepressants, acupuncture, and other forms of therapies such as electrotherapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation. One unique treatment option for depression we offer is ketamine infusion therapy.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders impact over 40 million people every year within the U.S. Though everyone may experience anxiety from time to time, anxiety disorders cause persistent stress or unease about even daily situations such as socializing with others, driving, or work. Left untreated, anxiety can significantly impact ones’ quality of life and ability to participate in activities that they used to enjoy.
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by strong feelings of tension, worry, physical changes such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People with anxiety disorders have constant intrusive thoughts or concerns.
Anxiety disorders come in a variety of forms from general anxiety to more specific conditions such as social anxiety or panic disorders. Anxiety develops from several compounding factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events. Many patients who are diagnosed with anxiety may also have co-occurring illnesses such as substance abuse, depression, or other mental health conditions.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Nervousness, restlessness, and feeling like you cannot relax
- Feelings of danger, panic, and dread
- Rapid heart rate and breathing or hyperventilation
- Increased or heavy sweating
- Muscle twitching or trembling
- Weakness or lethargy
- Difficulty focusing
- Insomnia
- Digestive problems
- Avoidant behavior
- Obsessions about certain ideas
Treatment
At Vortex Psychiatry, we tailor each treatment plan to the individual needs of the patient. We will carefully go over any symptoms you are experiencing, your medical history, and any other relevant factors such as life events and behaviors.
Common treatments for anxiety include individual or group therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and other various therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or electroconvulsive therapy.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It can affect anyone at any age.
For many, time and self-care can heal the trauma of such events, but for some, the experience leads to long-lasting symptoms that can interfere with daily activities. If these symptoms persist for months or years, you may have PTSD, and getting treatment is crucial to recovering from the trauma of your experience.
Symptoms
Symptoms of PTSD are generally grouped into four primary types:
- Avoidance
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions
- Intrusive memories
- Negative changes in thinking and mood
Those with PTSD may experience symptoms from one or all of these categories.
Treatment
We are a compassionate practice and know that the road to feeling like yourself again can be overwhelming at times. We take the time to thoroughly assess your symptoms and history before we recommend a course of treatment for you. Common treatment options include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a mental health condition in which people experience unreasonable thoughts or fears known as obsessions, that lead to compulsions or repetitive behaviors to alleviate the anxiety associated with the obsessions.
If you have OCD and try to ignore your obsessions, you may experience increased anxiety as a result.
Symptoms
If you have OCD, you may have specific routines that can take up large amounts of time to relieve your anxiety. Common signs of OCD include:
- Constant feelings of anxiety
- Repetition of words and actions
- Ordering and arranging
- Excessive agitation or stress
Treatment
If you have OCD, your compulsions or repetitive actions may consume the majority of your day and interfere with your ability to participate in routine activities such as work or spending time with friends or loved ones.
Through an innovative and multi-disciplinary approach, we can help you to retake control of your life. We will customize a treatment plan that suits your lifestyle and needs. Common forms of treatment include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mediation, counseling, group and individual therapy, and support and education programs.
Insomnia
Do you have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, returning to sleep, or a combination thereof? If so, you may be experiencing insomnia, which is the most common sleep disorder in the United States. As many as 40 million Americans suffer from it every year. Although it can affect men and women and children of all ages, it tends to be more prevalent in women and older adults.
Acute insomnia occurs suddenly and briefly, lasting from one night to a few weeks, and is often due to a particular circumstance, such as an upcoming important or stressful event.
Chronic insomnia, on the other hand, is when you have sleep trouble falling, staying, or returning to sleep at least three nights per week for at least three months straight.
At Vortex Psychiatry, we can find a solution to help you get a restful night’s sleep. Sleep is vital to the proper functioning of practically every other system in our bodies. Without adequate, restful sleep, you can be at a higher risk for developing other conditions, such as hypertension, obesity, depression, and anxiety, to name a few. We will work with you to understand your medical history, as well as your lifestyle habits and patterns. When possible, we will suggest behavioral changes that may improve the likelihood of getting a good night’s rest, but other treatment options can include medication, if necessary.
If you have questions about insomnia and how we can help, or to request an appointment, please call our office at (925) 648-2650 today!
Migraines
Migraines are a recurring kind of headache, usually affecting one side of the head and characterized by their severity. They often have unique symptoms like sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, weakness, and visual anomalies like arcs of light. These symptoms are usually exacerbated by movement, and many find some relief by laying in a dark, quiet room until the migraine subsides. Afterward, during a period called the “postdrome,” you may feel exhausted, weak, and even confused for up to a day.
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Hormonal changes
- Bright/flashing lights
- Sudden weather changes
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep
- Loud noises and strong smells
- Overexertion
- Medication or migraine medication overuse
- Tobacco
- Caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Fermented, pickled, or aged foods
- MSG
We at Vortex Psychiatry, strive to address each of the many contributions to your condition. We know that suffering from migraines can dramatically impact your quality of life and it is our goal to treat the root cause of your pain, rather than just masking your symptoms. We want to help you regain control of your migraines so that you can experience a better, more pain-free life.
For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, contact us today at (925) 648-2650.