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For most people, making an appointment to see a psychiatrist about behaviors or symptoms that are impacting their personal, academic or work life is a hard first step to take. Psychiatrists are specialists who are not there to judge you, but to work with you to find the best medication and treatment regime for your specific needs – making that first appointment takes you in a positive direction toward turning your life around.

Psychiatric Help Needed by Thousands Who Never Seek Treatment

The website Every Day Health reports that almost 66% of adults with depression will never seek treatment. For those with addictive behaviors, a chronic history of substance abuse, or mental health issues that are causing havoc with one’s life, only approximately 35% seek help, usually when they are faced with a failed relationship, loss of their job, failing college grades, or a criminal record.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Needs Full Disclosure by Patient

The initial evaluation appointment with your Atlanta psychiatrist follows an organized plan that includes finding out about your issues, concerns, behaviors, symptoms and areas where you are having difficulty, and the information you give will affect the treatment strategy and time frame of the recovery process.

An experienced and practiced psychiatrist like Dr. Hege understands patients may hold back or alter important information out of embarrassment, fear, anxiety or trust issues. Accurately answering questions, and describing symptoms and behaviors experienced will lead to building a sound foundation for a successful treatment plan.

Common Information to Discuss During Comprehensive Evaluation

Many points and issues are discussed during a comprehensive evaluation with your psychiatrist. Talking about one area of concern may lead to a whole new set of questions. Some common topics that may be discussed include:

• Medications currently taking – include prescription medications and their dosage, as well as all over-the-counter (OTC) herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements or pain medicine you use. Discuss any products that may have caused a side effect or left you “feeling bad.”
• Stress in your life – stress comes from many different directions such as work, home, friends, children, money, debt, weight, pain, loss, worry, etc.
• Self Medication – use of drugs or alcohol to help you “cope” with life
• Physical Symptoms –  includes trouble sleeping, poor appetite, voracious appetite, feeling run-down, loss of energy, loss of interest in sex, low frustration tolerance or any other symptoms that are interfering with your daily routine
• Suicidal or Homicidal Thoughts – discuss any thoughts about hurting yourself or others with your psychiatrist; thinking may not mean follow through but this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed right away

Atlanta Mental Health Management Psychiatrist

Dr. Darvin Hege, a highly regarded Atlanta mental health management psychiatrist has a long history of successfully planning and implementing individually based treatment plans.

Schedule an evening or weekend appointment with Dr. Hege and start positively changing your life.

In Atlanta and the surrounding area there are thousands of mental health professionals available to provide treatment for ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, narcotic addiction, anxiety, panic attacks, alcohol and nicotine withdrawal. The American Psychiatric Association reports that people often decide which specialist to call based on a referral from your primary physician, family friend, crisis center, or by picking the advertisement that “looks the best” in the telephone book.

Many Reasons Affect Selection Process of Mental Health Providers

Individuals have certain needs that come into play when looking for a mental health professional. Accessibility is often a reason to choose one specialist over another. An office close to a patient’s home or work may allow convenience to take precedence over quality of service. In addition, the time available to schedule an appointment that does not interfere with work, family, or child care issues is a major concern of patients. Some psychiatrists even offer online video follow-up sessions for some types of treatment after an initial in-office appointment so patients don’t have to drive to the office every time.

Finding the Best Mental Health Professional to Meet Your Needs

When facing mental health issues on your own or with the support of family and friends, choosing the proper specialist makes a difference in the effectiveness and success of your treatment program. While developing a trusting relationship with your mental health provider is important, selecting an experienced professional with a long track record of success also makes a significant difference in relapse rates and in the ability to finally live a fully functional life.

CBT and Medication Management Has Highest Rate of Treatment Success

Choosing a mental health specialist that promotes both cognitive behavioral counseling and medication management is the most desirable. Treating the whole person with psychological issues has the highest rate of treatment success.

Psychiatrists Treat Both Mental and Physical Aspects of Psychological Issues

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health illness or disease, substance abuse, addiction and recovery. Atlanta psychiatrist Dr. Hege designs an individualized treatment program to provide relief of symptoms, anxieties and fears right away. Withdrawal symptoms are carefully planned for and managed. Medication adjustments are made as you progress through the treatment program.

Dr. Darvin Hege, a highly regarded Atlanta psychiatrist, believes in treating the whole person. Dr. Hege may refer you for adjunct therapeutic sessions such as cognitive behavioral treatment and EEG biofeedback. Dr. Hege may also recommend family/couples therapy or participation in the Evening Recovery Program as part of your comprehensive treatment plan.

Atlanta Evening and Weekend Psychiatrist

Atlanta psychiatrist Dr. Hege specializes in adult ADHD, addiction, anxiety and bipolar disorders, substance abuse and depression with over 25 years of successful intervention and medication management. The doctor is conveniently located in Atlanta and offers both evening and weekend appointments.

For a confidential and private initial appointment, call Atlanta psychiatrist Dr. Hege.

In this fast paced world, the time we have available to take care of personal mental health needs is often crunched between work hours, family responsibilities, child care and time spent stuck in Atlanta traffic. In our society, the incidence of anxiety, depression, panic attacks and attention deficit disorders continue to rise. In addition, addiction to narcotics, nicotine or alcohol is affecting more and more families on a daily basis.

Finding an experienced psychiatrist who adjusts office hours to meet your hectic schedule opens the door for successful treatment of your mental health concerns.

Convenient Atlanta Psychiatric Office Hours

Evening and weekend hours offered by a qualified psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience gives more patients easier access to a comprehensive evaluation and effective treatment plan. Dr. Hege offers hope and positive therapeutic change to those who need convenient office hours around your busy lifestyle.

Thorough Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation

Each person has their own unique symptoms or behaviors that interfere with normal daily life and interpersonal life skills. A comprehensive evaluation is the cornerstone in making the correct diagnosis. The development of an effective treatment plan is based on your individual needs, physiology, symptoms and behaviors. Your treatment plan may include medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, or alternative services to best meet your changing needs and progress.

Areas of Atlanta Psychiatric Treatment Offered

Dr. Hege, MD, a highly respected Atlanta psychiatrist, develops individual treatment plans that have proven successful for decades. Patients of Dr. Hege have been able to regain control of their lives through medication management, CBT, and other augmentive services. Mental health concerns addressed include:

• Adult Men and Women with ADHD
• Narcotics Addiction
• Cocaine Addiction
• Panic and Anxiety Attacks
• Depression
• Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction
• Bipolar Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
• Psychiatric Medication adjustment to reduce side effects

Psychiatric Augmentive Therapy Resources

Dr. Hege believes in treating the whole person to achieve the highest rate of success through his therapeutic treatment plan. While he focuses solely on psychiatry, he recommends professional resources from a network of skilled therapists trained in the use of advanced techniques in combination with or without medication. Unique resources available include:

• EEG Biofeedback or Neurotherapy often used to treat ADHD
• Couples Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• International Cultural Coaching including management and success in a culturally diverse world
• EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, used in recovery from effects of trauma and abuse
• Evening Recovery Program for small group addiction counseling

Atlanta Psychiatrist Dr. Hege a Phone Call Away

Dr. Hege’s methodology and strategies can work for you. Make the call today to set up an appointment at a day and time that fits your schedule. Help really is just a phone call away.

More and more women are being diagnosed with adult ADD or adult attention deficit disorder by mental health professionals due to the increasing awareness and public education. Even Dr. Oz recently discussed on air the topic of adult women with ADD with a board certified psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry at NYU Medical Center, who reports that ADD in women is under recognized, under diagnosed and under treated.

Women with Adult ADD Struggle with Their Symptoms

ADD is a neurological disorder, often hidden and ignored which causes women to struggle with their ADD symptoms in silence. ADD often mimics and co-exists with many other conditions and mood disorders where symptoms are commonly diagnosed as depression, anxiety, low self esteem, or chronic fatigue syndrome. An experienced psychiatrist with a successful history of treating women with ADD would make the correct diagnosis, allowing proper effective treatment to begin immediately.

Adult ADD Diagnosis for Women Starts with Warning Signs

Women with ADD are often described as quiet day-dreamers, easily distracted, unable to complete tasks or assignments on time, periods of time where they are moody, anxious, frustrated or easily angered. Women with ADD are also more prone to develop eating disorders and may struggle with weight gain and obesity. These warning signs are typically explained away by the excuse “it is just the way I am,” or “it is just my personality.”

Furthermore, women and society view these “personality characteristics” as stemming from a busy stressful life trying to manage home, work, kids, and personal relationships — not from a treatable diagnosis of adult ADD. Women with ADD are often misdiagnosed as they may only exhibit subtle hyperactivity, quite unlike the typical hyperactivity such as thrill seeking impulsive behaviors displayed by males. A qualified adult ADD psychiatrist would uncover the “hidden” diagnosis during their comprehensive evaluation.

Common Experiences of Women with Adult ADD

Findings published in the Journal of Attention Disorders and the Journal of Clinical Psychology report common reported experiences of women who were diagnosed with ADD in adulthood. The majority of women are diagnosed with adult ADD in their 30s and 40s and report the following behaviors and beliefs:

• Display a “learned helpless style,” often blaming themselves when “bad” things happen
• Adult women with ADD begin to think they have no power to change a negative situation, which over time turns in to the belief they are unable to accomplish anything in life
• Increased likelihood to report a history of anxiety and depression
• History of taking prescribed psychotropic medications

Atlanta Psychiatrist for Women with Adult ADD

Obtaining the correct diagnosis is the first step toward the development of a treatment plan that will free you from the bonds that have prevented you from reaching your true potential. Call Dr. Darvin Hege, the Atlanta psychiatrist with a long successful history of treating adult women with Attention Deficit Disorder.

Change your life for the positive. Contact us today.

With the world’s seemingly unending stressful events, such as money issues, family problems, random violence in the news, many people can develop a mental health issue. Whether or not the problem is short-lived or becomes chronic, both respond to psychiatric medications that when properly managed lead to the successful treatment of life-disrupting mental illness.

Psychiatric Medications Critical Part of Treatment Plan

Psychiatric medications are often a critical element in the development of a successful mental health treatment plan. The National Institute of Mental Health separates psychiatric medications into six main groups which include medications used to treat ADHD, anxiety disorders, clinical depression, bi-polar disorder, mood disorders, or medications used as a sedative. A qualified psychiatrist carefully diagnoses and prescribes after a thorough evaluation and history taking.

Top Five Psychiatric Medications Prescribed

Psych Central reports that the top ranking medication from 2005 forward to today is Xanax / alprazolam used for anxiety, with almost 48 million U.S. prescriptions written on an annual basis. The other four psychiatric medications range from almost 24 million U.S. prescriptions a year to well over 37 million.

The 2nd ranked medication includes Zoloft/sertraline for anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and depression; 3rd, the drug Ativan for panic disorder and anxiety; 4th, Prozac/fluoxetine for anxiety and depression; and 5th, Celexa/citalopram for anxiety and depression. The variety of psychiatric medications used for ADHD rank all the way from 15th to 25th with yearly U.S. prescriptions totaling up to more than 35 million a year.

Common Psychiatric Medication Side-Effects

Psychiatric medication side effects vary from one person to the next. There are numerous factors that change how your body will react to any one or a combination of medications. The four main psychiatric medication side effects are:

• Weight gain
• Sexual issues or dysfunction
• Restlessness, hyperactivity, irritability or agitation
• Tiredness, drowsiness, memory deficits or clouded thinking

Other significant side effects which may require more immediate psychiatrist medication adjustment and management include:

• Diarrhea or GI upset such as nausea and vomiting
• Impaired coordination and control of body’s extremities
• Insomnia
• Blurred vision
• Cardio-pulmonary issues
• Drop in blood pressure with feelings of dizziness or syncope
• Black outs or feeling like you are in a trance or stupor
• Becoming despondent or having feelings of great sadness and despair
• Any change in your emotional or physical state that may be due to psychiatric medication side effect which is causing you emotional stress.

Atlanta Psychiatrist, Expert in Managing Medication Side Effects

If you are currently taking psychiatric medications and are experiencing side effects that have negatively impacted family, social relationships or work related interactions, it is time for a change – call Atlanta’s expert in managing and adjusting psychiatric medications.

Dr. Darvin Hege, M.D. Atlanta’s psychiatric medication side-effects doctor is ready to help you make the change for the better – call to set up an appointment today.

There are several medication options that your ADHD psychiatrist has at their disposal in evaluating and defining the appropriate treatment regime for you. Everyone is unique in how they react to different levels of ADHD medications, either as a singular prescription or in combination with other types of non-ADHD drugs. While the diagnosis of adult ADHD does require exhibiting specific common symptoms and behaviors, the appropriate medication treatment plan can significantly vary from person to person.

Adult ADHD Prescription Medications

The most common medications used for Adult ADHD are stimulants. Stimulants can help those who exhibit symptoms such as restlessness, inattention, lack of concentration, and difficulty completing work within time limits, as well as those who exhibit reckless behavior or have difficulty managing their anger in social situations. But for some, a stimulant may not be the best choice. An alternative treatment option for ADHD is Strattera – a non-stimulant medication.

Psychiatrists with an extensive background in evaluating and treating adult ADHD can successfully determine what medications bring you relief from your symptoms and negative behaviors. Strattera is an important drug to consider, especially if you might do better with a non-stimulant treatment plan.

How Does Strattera Work?

The Journal of Psychiatry reports that Strattera, or atomoxetine hydrochloride, is a non-stimulant ADHD psychotherapeutic agent that works to increase brain levels of norepinephrine, a chemical that is in short supply in those people that are diagnosed with ADHD.

The increase in levels of norepinephrine has a positive impact on one’s life by improving attention span, reducing impulsivity and hyperactivity without the use of a stimulant. In addition Strattera can be discontinued without having to taper off the medication like with the other adult ADHD stimulant prescriptions.

Strattera begins to work gradually, so improvements will not be immediate but continue to increase over several months. If more immediate relief is needed, Strattera may be paired with other medications that don’t take as much time to build up in one’s system. Then once Strattera has had time to reach full effect, a person may be weaned off stimulants.

Is It Right for You? Talk to a Georgia Psychiatrist.

Your Atlanta adult ADHD psychiatrist Dr. Darvin Hege, M.D. will work with you to complete a comprehensive evaluation, developing the most effective treatment plan for your physiology, symptoms and behaviors.

Coping with the often frustrating symptoms of adult ADHD can lead to life and social disturbances that can lead to other self abusive behaviors and depression. If you have adult ADHD by itself or with a combination of other emotional or psychological issues, call Dr. Darvin Hege, M.D. to schedule an initial visit and assessment and bring yourself back to the positive side of living.

The American Journal of Psychiatry published a research study which proposed that while ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is most typically thought of as a pediatric and adolescent disorder, approximately 4.4% of adults in the U.S. have symptoms of ADHD that were either never addressed as a child, or where the adult is unaware that they have the disorder. If you’ve been exhibiting any symptoms of ADHD, Atlanta psychiatrist Dr. Hege can provide an evaluation and prescribe medications to help.

Diagnosis of Adult ADHD is Difficult & Often Missed

There are over 230 million adults 18 years of age and older in the U.S., accounting for 76% of the country’s total population. The numbers show that over 10 million adults not only show symptoms of ADHD, they also exhibit co-morbid disorders; such as bipolar disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder, which significantly complicate a diagnosis and have an impact on the treatment options.

Many physicians and mental health professionals often miss the appropriate diagnosis of ADHD in adults as the symptoms manifest differently in adults then they do with the children they commonly diagnose with ADHD. The Mayo Clinic takes note that adult ADHD symptoms are intermixed with numerous issues such as having a poor employment history, difficulty with academic work, unstable long term relationships, being accident prone, and struggling with substance abuse to name a few.

Symptoms of Adult ADHD

Adults with symptoms of ADHD also exhibit anxiety and mood disorders, depression, impulse control disorders and demonstrate impairments in executive functioning; these higher levels of cognitive functioning directly impact on the ability to perform as an employee, a parent, a spouse, and as a productive member of society.

Executive function refers to the brain’s ability to focus, integrate and manage multiple tasks, organize thoughts and ideas, as well as appropriately handle emotional control. An adult with ADHD would also exhibit problems with memory and recall, ability to complete routine tasks, distractibility, and difficulty with timeliness. Impairment in any of the areas of executive function is tightly interlaced with the symptoms of adult ADHD.

Atlanta Adult ADHD Specialist

Working with a specialist in adult ADHD is critical for a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis followed by the development of a specific medication regime.  Dr. Darvin Hege is a highly respected Atlanta adult ADHD specialist, who not only treats the symptoms, he also successfully focuses on the foundational causative factor of ADHD bringing his patients satisfaction and enjoyment in their lives.

If you or a loved one is exhibiting any of the symptoms for adult ADHD, please call Dr. Hege, for an initial appointment and evaluation.

Reprinted from boston.com

Ritalin and other drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder are safe for adults’ hearts, even though they can increase blood pressure and heart rate, according to the largest study of these medicines in adults.

The results echo findings in a study of children with ADHD, by the same researchers, published last month.

The review of health records for more than 440,000 adults aged 25 to 64 showed those taking ADHD drugs had about the same number of heart attacks, strokes and sudden heart-related deaths as adults who didn’t use those drugs.

Although attention deficit disorder is usually thought of as a condition in childhood, many continue to have symptoms as adults, including impulsive, fidgety behavior and difficulty focusing or paying attention. ADHD affects about 4 percent of U.S. adults, roughly 9 million. About 8 percent of U.S. children aged 3 to 17, or 5 million kids, have ever been diagnosed with the disorder, government statistics show.

More than 1.5 million U.S. adults were taking stimulants used for ADHD in 2005, and use of ADHD drugs increased more rapidly in adults than in kids over the past decade, the study said.

The research will be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association’s Dec. 28 print edition, but was released online Monday because of its public health importance, journal editors said.

More than 150,000 ADHD medication users were involved in several states. Their health records over up to 20 years were compared with similar adults who did not use those drugs.

Overall, there were 1,357 heart attacks, 575 strokes and 296 sudden cardiac deaths. Roughly equal numbers occurred in ADHD drug users and nonusers.

Study participants used the drugs for an average of less than a year, which is short, but the upper range of use was almost 14 years, and there was no sign of increasing risk with longer use, the authors said, led by Laurel Habel of the research division at Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Oakland.

A journal editorial says the study provides encouraging news, given lingering concerns about isolated reports of heart problems and sudden deaths in users of some ADHD drugs.

The findings support the Food and Drug Administration’s decision in 2006 against putting a black box warning about serious heart events on ADHD drug labels. But despite the results, medical histories and exams should still be performed for all patients before starting ADHD drugs, and periodic evaluations should be done during drug treatment, said editorial author Dr. Philip Shaw of the National Human Genome Research Institute.

The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the FDA helped pay for the study

See original article at http://articles.boston.com/2011-12-12/lifestyle/30507967_1_adhd-drugs-attention-deficit-disorder-heart-attacks

Adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects 4.4 % of adults. Hallmark adult ADHD symptoms are inattention, distractibility, and impulsivity. If you have adult ADHD, the symptoms were present in childhood but may not have become a prominent problem until adulthood. As adults, we accumulate an increasing burden of responsibilities. These responsibilities include marriage, family, job, and finances. Our brain's ability to filter and prioritize the multitude of demands placed upon it may be overwhelmed. Expectations of us as mature, responsible adults include modulating our anger and fears, listening to and hearing our spouses and bosses explicit and implied instructions, and to be able to focus and concentrate to read required reports and instructions. If we have the drag of ADHD present, we may become "stressed out", depressed, overly anxious, or turn to alcohol, drug, or medication abuse. If the patient presents for help at this point, the overlying problem of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse may be diagnosed and treated. However, the foundational problem of ADHD may be missed. Unless the ADHD is successfully treated, the person may improve temporarily but still struggle unnecessarily and be more prone to relapsing to another bout of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.