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Proper psychiatric diagnosis requires expert clinical knowledge, extensive training and a foundation from years of experience working in the field. In addition, a comprehensive understanding of psychological disorders and how they are related to one another can make a critical difference in choosing which treatment plan will be the most effective and successful.

Self-Diagnosis Delays and Prevents Correct Treatment

Psychology Today reports that with the ease of being able to “Google” anything today, hundreds of thousands of people self-diagnose reaching their own conclusions about what may or may not be “wrong.” Unfortunately self-diagnosis is often incorrect, delaying and often preventing proper treatment. For example, almost 70% of people who report anxiety as their main concern also have depression – with self-diagnosis, a second or even third disorder which needs to be treated can be completely overlooked.

Medical Problems Missed in Psychiatric Self-Diagnosis

While there is always a danger with the process of self-diagnosis of a psychological syndrome, one of the greatest dangers is that a serious medical disease may be missed. It is not uncommon for a medical problem to masquerade as a psychiatric syndrome, such as those that present with changes to their personality, depression, or psychotic behaviors – treating symptoms with over the counter medications from self-diagnosis would not be the proper treatment when the correct diagnosis may be a serious neurological, cardiac, or endocrine problem.

Common Dangers of Psychiatric Self-Diagnosis

When self-diagnosis is wrong then proper care and treatment can be delayed or the wrong treatment can be instituted which can negatively affect any hoped for outcomes. Receiving a proper diagnosis takes a well experienced psychiatrist or mental health professional to not only determine what the problem is, but to sort through what the problem is not. Some common dangers of psychiatric self-diagnosis include:

• Missing the nuances a proper diagnosis demands – those with mood swings for example may self-diagnose manic-depression or bipolar disorder when they may have a borderline personality disorder with major depression, other complicating factors or different combinations of diagnoses altogether
• Misdirecting the mental health professional with complaints related to self-diagnosis
• Providing self-treatment based on an incorrect decision
• Denial or inability to correctly interpret symptoms and behaviors displayed that disrupt one’s life
• Many personality disorders are not openly reported as they are a problem to others, not one’s self

Self-Diagnosis versus Clinical Diagnosis

Self-diagnosis can have life-impacting consequences on one’s life. Discussing symptoms and noted behaviors with a clinical specialist is imperative to starting the treatment strategy that fits and is successful. If symptoms or behaviors are causing distress in your home, work or social situations, seek out a professional. There’s no issue with educating yourself about symptoms; however, leave the diagnosis to an experienced psychiatrist. Please call the office to set up an appointment and make sure you get the right diagnosis.

Oxford University researchers report that while the reason remains unclear, women are more apt than men to develop one or more forms of mental illness during their lifetime. The research project was intensive with 12 large scale studies focused specifically on mental illness. It was determined that for both males and females diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders, the women were 75% more likely than their counterparts to suffer from either of these two mental health issues.

Differences between Men and Women Clear

Studies which have looked at the differences in mental illness occurrence between men and women have been worldwide. The results of all of these studies have determined that there are very clear differences between men and women when looking at the prevalence of mental illness. After the data was carefully analyzed, it was found women are about 60% more likely than men to report an anxiety disorder and 75% more likely to report depression. In addition, women were found to be up to 40% more likely to be diagnosed with any type of mental health illness.

Pattern of Internal versus External Problems

Throughout the research findings it was found that women tend to have more “internal” problems that may be self-defeating in terms of depressive thoughts and actions or via sleep issues where they either sleep too much or are unable to get proper sleep for days on end. Women tend to internalize their issues, putting the problem on themselves and then being unable to escape the negative self-concept. Men tend to “externalize” where they are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, develop anger problems, or become easily agitated and “hot-headed.”

Treatment for Depression and Anxiety Reduces Symptoms

MentalHealth.org reports that receiving the proper treatment for depression and anxiety diagnoses will not reduce the significant numbers of women with mental illness, but it does decrease the numbers of women who suffer from one or both of these diagnoses. Treatment is necessary to successfully address depression and anxiety disorders in women and allow them to begin if not return to a satisfying life with excitement for the future.

Atlanta Women’s Mental Health Psychiatrist

Calling upon his decades of successful treatment of mental health issues Dr. Hege hopes to bring some peace to lives impacted by a mental disorder.

Call today to set up an appointment that’s convenient for you.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that one out of every 10 Americans is affected by depression and that number continues to rise 20% every year. Globally about 7% of adults experience a major depressive episode in any given year and is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

The Impact of Depression

Depression left untreated affects how you think, feel and behave, which leads to emotional, cognitive and physical problems. Depression robs you of motivation, excitement with life, strength and energy, and the ability to perform basic every day activities and routines. This illness affects your family, friends, peers at work, and can keep you imprisoned.

Depression Research Data

For many that suffer from diagnosed depression the focus has centered on treating the illness. New research in its early stages has shown there are multiple triggers giving fuel to the idea that depression has more root causes than previously thought. Exposure to chronic stress is one root cause that is receiving intense study.

Chronic Stress Tied to Depression

Healthline reports the results of a study published in Molecular Psychiatry where it was discovered that disturbances in one type of brain cell has a direct causal relationship with depression. This specific type of brain cell, microglia, accounts for the 10% of brain cells that represent the brain’s immune system. Exposure to chronic stress causes the microglia to change, with the change directly tied to depression symptoms.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression is also known as major depression, major depressive disorder or clinical depression.  The top signs or symptoms include:

• Loss of interest in life and normal activities
• Persistent feeling of sadness
• Feeling helpless and hopeless
• Complaints of general aches and pains that do not respond to treatment
• Lack of energy; easily fatigued
• Finding it difficult to concentrate or make any decisions
• Sleeping too much or not sleeping enough

Stop Debilitating Depression

Mental health practitioners with the proper knowledge and experience can better target the type of depression and its triggers to start improving their patient’s quality of life sooner.

Call an Atlanta depression psychiatrist Dr. Darvin Hege today!

Mental illness may affect someone as close to you as your next door neighbor, or mental illness may be a reality you or a family member will come to face. If you’ve been struggling but have never sought treatment for a mental health issue before, it’s common that over time the ability to cope with ordinary life demands may reach a point that help is finally sought.

Mental Illness Surrounds All of Us

Twenty-five percent of adults experience mental illness in any given year; the percentage takes on an even more personal importance when saying one out of every four adults suffer with some form of mental illness. One-out-of-four brings the issue home. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports one-out-of-four means that over 60 million adults in the U.S. who may have difficulty coping with life, and many who may be living life unfulfilled who could be on the road to positive change working with a practiced mental health professional.

Symptoms of Mental Illness

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health indicates that having a mental illness does not mean an emotional reaction to an event or situation – it is normal to experience feelings, for example, of sadness, loss, anger, fear, agitation or panic related to a real-life occurrence. With the wide variety of diagnosed mental disorders, the combination of different symptoms needs to persist over time and dramatically impact one’s life roles, social and family relationships, work history, behavior, or even the ability to perform basic self-care and hygiene.

Stigma of Mental Illness

With one-out-of-four experiencing mental illness and one-out-of-17 living with a serious mental illness like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression, one would think the awareness and willingness to seek help would be commonplace. Typically however, people wait a long time to seek help, if they ask for help at all.  The person may know something is wrong, or that they are “different,” yet they fight through life struggling to get by.

Reality of Mental Illness

Anyone of any age, religion, race, or socio-economic background can have a mental illness. Being diagnosed with a mental illness does not mean that you are a weak person, or that if you really wanted you could “get over it.”  The reality is that you can recover with treatment. Stop waiting to make the decision to get help; your life is waiting to begin anew.

Atlanta Mental Illness Psychiatrist

Dr. Darvin Hege is a psychiatrist in Atlanta. Call to set up an appointment and make a change for the better.

The U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that almost 8 million adults have both a mental illness and a co-occurring substance abuse problem. This “Dual Diagnosis” describes a complex relationship where those with mental health issues also have a problem with substance abuse, and likewise, those with a substance abuse problem who also have a psychiatric disorder. Dual diagnosis requires a mental health practitioner experienced in the complex and often complicated treatment strategy.

Confusing Symptoms with Dual or Co-Occurring Disorders

It can be difficult to diagnose a psychiatric illness in those who are substance abusers because it is common for drug abusers to exhibit psychiatric symptoms. The National Alliance of Mental Illness reports that psychiatric disorders induced by substance abuse can continue to impact a person’s life long after the drug or alcohol abuse has been curtailed.

Substance abuse can trigger panic attacks, depression, severe anxiety, delusional thoughts, personality disorder, and even psychotic behavior, all of which may continue to plague a person long after detoxification. Proper dual diagnosis is critical in establishing a successful treatment plan.

Dual Diagnosis Requires Specific Treatment Planning

Dual diagnosis needs a specially designed treatment plan, as dual disorders also come with an increased severity of medical, social and emotional issues. Dual disorders alone increases the chance of relapse as well as the psychiatric disorder becoming more pronounced in daily life functions. In addition, those with a dual diagnosis generally require a longer period of treatment with more gradual evidence of progress seen over time.

Complex Challenges of Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis typically come with an increased rate of relapse, hospitalization, and homelessness, not to mention an increased chance of developing HIV or Hepatitis C infections due to risk-taking behaviors. The combinations of mental health disorders and forms of substance abuse that can be diagnosed show great variability, and thus each person with a co-occurring diagnosis does need their complex treatment plan uniquely constructed.

Severity of Disorders Change Over Time

Being followed and managed by a competent dual diagnosis psychiatrist is a priority for treatment plan success. Either diagnosis, whether of a mental illness disorder or substance abuse, may be evaluated as one or the other being severe or mild, or both severe — or by the degree of impairment they bring to daily life functions. The severity levels and impact change over time with the treatment plan modified to properly meet changing needs as they occur.

Atlanta Dual Diagnosis Psychiatrist

Dr. Darvin Hege is the Atlanta dual diagnosis psychiatrist of choice and expert in the field. Call the office for an appointment to start getting your life back under control.

It is a common complaint from women going through menopause that they find themselves facing a wide range of emotional and physiological symptoms. Menopausal symptoms typically reported include irritability, moodiness, and overwhelming sadness, not to mention feeling over-fatigued, experiencing memory lapses and poor ability to think clearly. For women already diagnosed with ADHD, they become acutely aware that ADHD symptoms become more pronounced over a period of 10 years, starting in peri-menopause and continuing non-stop into menopause. Hormonal fluctuations do result in intensified ADHD symptoms. For women with undiagnosed ADHD who enter menopause they may find the intensity of the symptoms so great that they seek mental health intervention.

Hormonal Effects of Menopause on ADHD

By the time of menopause, a woman’s estrogen level has dropped by 65% over the course of the prior 10 years. Psych Central reports that decreasing estrogen leads to decreased levels of the “feel good” serotonin and dopamine levels found in the brain chemistry. The drop in estrogen levels can exacerbate ADHD symptoms which can appear suddenly in women in their 30s and 40s as well as in women who have reached menopause. Decreased serotonin levels can lead to a depressed mood, while decreased availability of dopamine directly affects the appearance of increased ADHD symptoms.

Common Challenges of ADHD during Menopause

An insufficient amount of dopamine is a classic sign of ADHD. Additional declines of dopamine levels during the peri-menopause and menopause phases may result in more severe difficulties with concentration, attention and focus. In addition, women may discover that they are having trouble staying organized, managing their time, making thought-out decisions or finding that they become forgetful of even common routine activities and appointments. With peri-menopause starting about 10 years before menopause, it is important for women to know that there is help for their symptoms. Being diagnosed with ADHD opens the door to forming a complete mental health treatment plan that can provide relief.

Treatment Options for ADHD and Menopause

Attitude magazine reports it is important to find an ADHD menopause experienced psychiatrist who is able to set up a successful treatment strategy and make medication adjustments as needed to meet your changing needs through the decades long peri-menopause phase to the menopause stage. Women who experience intense PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) may have undiagnosed ADHD. Receiving a correct comprehensive diagnosis can lighten the monthly depression, anxiety, irritability and “fuzzy headed” feelings that PMS and the pre-menstrual to menstrual phase bring.

Atlanta ADHD Menopause Psychiatrist

Dr. Darvin Hege is the expert when it comes to successful treatment of ADHD and menopause. Call the office for psychiatric treatment that will put your ADHD menopausal symptoms in check.

If times are tight, the search for ways to find discounts or save money is a common occurrence. Generic medications are often substituted when allowed, primarily due to insurance coverage policy or as a means to reduce co-pay cost out-of-pocket. Many prescribed physical health medications are used long term for chronic health issues or disorders, just as treatment for psychiatric and mental health conditions often involve long term pharmacological treatment. The monetary savings however may not be in the patient’s best interest who may discover generic is not the “right fit” for their needs.

Generic and Brand Name Psych Med Differences

The FDA’s definition of a generic drug is that it is pharmaceutically equivalent to its brand name drug, containing the same active ingredient, same strength, same dosage form as well as delivery of drug (i.e., swallowed, a patch worn, or injected). The generic version must perform approximately the same as the brand name drug. The key word approximately indicates that there will be a small or slight difference in the manufacture of the generic drug, whether it be inert ingredients added, coloring or dye used, as well as the shape or form.  In addition, the pharmacy uses a variety of manufacturers so that while the prescription itself may not change, the medication may appear different from month to month.

Generic Psychiatric Medication Concerns

While the majority who take generic psychiatric medications experience no problems, there are thousands who face increased side effects, exacerbation of their mental health symptoms, behavioral changes, development of allergies or a significant relapse that could require hospitalization. Generic psychiatric medications are supposed to deliver the same amount of active ingredient to receptors in the brain, however differences in the formulation of the product may cause more harm than help. An experienced and practiced psychiatrist is able to work with you on finding a generic medication that will work, as well as modification of the drug, dose or timing so that cost savings can be achieved without loss of mental health gain.

Top 10 Psychiatric Generic – Brand Name Medications

The top 10 prescribed U.S. psychiatric medications are ranked in a PsychCentral.com study. The medication with the highest ranking is Xanax or alprazolam used for anxiety at almost 48 million prescriptions per year. The psychiatric medication Seroquel or quetiapine, typically used for bipolar disorder or depression is ranked number 10 with over 14 million scripts per year.  The other psychiatric medications ranked in the top 10 of prescribed meds are Celexa/citalopram, Zoloft/sertraline, Ativan/lorazepam, Prozac/fluoxetine HCL, Lexapro/escitalopram, Desyrel/trazodone HCL, Cymbalta/duloxetine, and Valium/diazepam – in total, the top 10 ranking prescriptions exceed 270,000,000 a year. Working with an expert in both generic and brand name psychiatric medication is the best way to ensure you have a successful mental health treatment plan.

Atlanta Psychiatric Medication Doctor

Call Dr. Darvin Hege, the Atlanta psychiatrist of choice for successful medication management of your mental health needs using generic, brand name or a combination of psychiatric medications that work for you.

Psychiatric News reported on studies that shows after a traumatic brain injury, TBI, there is an increased risk of developing a psychiatric disorder. The most common disorders found after a TBI are PTSD, panic or anxiety disorder, depression and social phobias. In addition, significant complaints that impact daily life include problems with memory, sleep, concentration and focus. In the U.S., with some 2 million sustaining a TBI every year, it is important to increase awareness to psychological, emotional and physiological problems that can occur after TBI.

TBI Increases Risk of Psychiatric Disorder to Over 400%

A 30+ year study the American Journal of Psychiatry just published in April 2014 shows dramatic increases of the development of a major psychiatric disorder after a TBI, while pre-existing mental illness can increase the severity of the symptoms. Developing bipolar disorder risk increased by 28%, depression increased by 59%, a diagnosis of schizophrenia increased by 65%, and the development of organic mental disorders increased by 439%. Research data presented illustrates that the additional risk was not credited to any family history of psychiatric illness, nor was the risk of a TBI shown to happen more to someone who was accident prone.

Mental Health Illness after TBI Needs Psychiatric Evaluation

With increasing awareness of the all-encompassing impact a TBI can have on the emotional, psychological health and well-being of a person, earlier diagnosis and proper treatment can begin for any developing psychiatric disorders. Finding a qualified psychiatrist experienced in frequent initial medication adjustments and modification following a diagnosis of psychiatric disorder after a TBI is critical.  Mental health illness responds to pharmacological treatment no matter if the disorder developed from a TBI or not.

Atlanta TBI Psychiatric Disorder Specialist

If mental health concerns begin to interfere with your life after a concussion, closed head injury, or TBI, it is time for a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to determine if a psychiatric treatment plan is in order. Contact us for help.

Spring is the time of year where spring cleaning and spring checkups are the norm. It can also be a great time to have a mental health checkup and address any concerns about changes in behavior or personality. Psych Central reports on the study by a United Kingdom neuroscientist indicate that one out of four adults suffer from a mental disorder at some point during the year. In addition, in the U.S., Canada, and the UK, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability with depression and anxiety diagnoses occurring most often.

Early Detection with Spring Mental Health Checkups

Psychological well-being is often taken for granted. When a mental illness or disorder begins to impact your work, social or home life, it is an important time to seek mental health evaluation and guidance. Early detection, discovered during a mental health checkup for example, provides for early treatment through a combination of a pharmacological plan and cognitive behavioral therapy. The idea of a spring mental health checkup along with increased education of the public may improve not only the ability to recognize early mental health problems, but may result in early detection and intervention.

10 Most Common Mental Health Disorders

Discovery.com reports spring mental health checkups given by qualified mental health disorder psychiatrists may provide early detection of a mental health illness. Early detection and treatment through an experienced practitioner can put your disruptive behaviors or fears into check and allow you to get back to enjoying life once again. The 10 most common mental health disorders in the U.S. are:

1. Mood Disorders
2. Personality Disorders
3. Eating Disorders
4. ADHD
5. Phobias/Fear
6. Anxiety Disorder
7. Panic Attacks
8. Bi-Polar
9. Schizophrenia
10. Autism Spectrum Disorders

Spring Mental Health Checkups in Atlanta

If new, old or changing behaviors, personality or mental health have started to concern you or your family, it may be time to have a spring mental health checkup.

Call Dr. Darvin Hege to schedule a checkup today.

Seeking help for mental illness or instability is a hard yet courageous step to take. Finding out that you have a psychiatric disorder or chronic mental illness is a scary time for most people, yet finding out years later that you were wrongly diagnosed in the first place can be even more frightening.

Misdiagnosis Occurs 69% of Time

Health Line reports wrongly diagnosing personality disorders as a bipolar disorder occurs 69% of the time. In addition to this erroneous diagnosis, more than 33% remain misdiagnosed for a decade or more; the remainder live with the incorrect treatment for a period of between 6 and 7 ½ years. Because some psychiatric or mental health issues may be hard to pinpoint depending on the phase or cycle of the disorder, it is critically important to find a qualified and experienced mental health practitioner.

Misdiagnosis Brings Serious Consequences

Brown University reported on a 4 year study showing 40% of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder were later correctly identified as having a borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, antisocial personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or with having an eating and impulse disorder. One major consequence of having a wrong diagnosis means that it is followed by the wrong treatment. Bipolar disorder may be treated with a mood stabilizer, yet treatment for borderline personality disorder follows a different path. Prescribing bipolar medications to someone without bipolar disorder needlessly exposes the patient to serious medication side effects that include a medical impact to renal, hepatic, immunologic and metabolic functions that can have life threatening consequences.

True Bipolar Disorder Also Misdiagnosed

Bipolar disorder is a biological illness where specific medications are essential for treatment. It is a chronic illness that requires life-long treatment and monitoring. Health Line reports that while many patients are misdiagnosed with bipolar disease, it is not uncommon for a bipolar diagnosis to be missed as most patients will seek out treatment during the depressed phase of their bipolar cycle. Mental health professionals may see the depressed state as just that and give a misdiagnosis of unipolar depression, or some other form of depression. Finding a qualified psychiatrist or mental health professional who is capable of making the correct diagnosis is important in that it will point the way to the right effective treatment – not to years of suffering through an incorrect treatment plan.

Atlanta Diagnostic Psychiatrist

Misdiagnosis is a common problem that can impact not only the patient’s life, but their family’s lives for 5 to 10 years before the correct diagnosis and treatment is discovered. Dr. Darvin Hege is a highly regarded Atlanta psychiatric doctor with decades of experience and decades of developing a successful treatment plan for his patients. Call for an appointment today – help really is only a phone call away.