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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 6.7 percent of adults in the United States have depression. Major depression is also called major depressive illness or clinical depression. Major depression is a serious medical condition that has a dramatic effect on your quality of life. Depression is more than a mental disorder as it affects the whole body, affecting one’s physical health and well-being.

Research Shows Depression as Systemic Disease

Science Daily reports in a research article released March 2016 that depression causes alterations in the body’s reaction to stress with such wide ranging effects that it needs to be considered a systemic disease that affects the whole person’s physical health and mental health. Research has shown the significant association depression has with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and early mortality. Research may also be useful in finding new therapeutic means for the prevention and treatment of the disorder and disease.

Treatment Lowers Risk of Systemic Disease

Harvard Medical School’s study of depression and the link to physical health concerns show that recurrence of cardiovascular problems is linked more closely to depression than to smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Left untreated, depression raises the risk of dying after a heart attack. In addition, depression and stress may affect one’s immune system making your body more vulnerable to development of infections and other diseases. Treatment does bring health issues back into normal ranges.

Effects on the Body

While depression is a mental disorder, but it can also impact on your physical health in the following ways:

• Cognitive Changes (inability to concentrate, memory issues, decision making issues)
• Weight Problems (over-eating, binging, poor appetite, digestive problems, cramps)
• Constricted Blood Vessels (increased blood pressure and cardiovascular stress)
• Weakened Immune System (increased susceptibility to infections and diseases)
• Aches and Pains (headaches, chronic body aches, pain that does not respond to meds)
• Heart Attack Outcome
• Overwhelming Fatigue
• Insomnia (altered sleeping patterns)

Health Evaluation

Call the area’s psychiatrist who not only has decades of experience in treating depression, but the psychiatrist who is up-to-date on new research data and in treating the body as a whole. Treat your depression and health issues to bring good health and happiness back into your life. Call the office for a confidential appointment.

Currently 39 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Guam (a U.S. territory) report operation of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, or PDMP. The program is being utilized to collect, monitor, and analyze all of the data regarding both practitioner authorized prescriptions and the medications dispensed by pharmacies.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Database

The Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program has a statewide electronic database that keeps track of prescriptions being filled, who is writing the prescriptions, who is filling similar prescriptions from multiple doctors, or which doctors appear to be prescribing scheduled drugs for diagnoses that do not support use of that medication, as examples.

Purpose of Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

The PDMP’s purpose under Georgia law is to assist in the reduction of controlled substance abuse, promoting the proper use of Schedule II, III, IV, and V medications, reducing “doctor shopping” where duplicate prescribing and overprescribing of controlled Schedule drugs will be tracked. The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in Georgia was signed into law in 2012 and was established through the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency.

“The Georgia prescription drug monitoring program database has been very helpful to my practice,” Dr. Hege says. “I look up potential patients if we have any concerns about whether they are abusing prescription medications. If they are being prescribed medicines like Xanax, Adderall, suboxone, methadone, or other controlled medications in high doses or from multiple doctors, I decline them.”

Access to the Georgia PDMP

Access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is restricted to those professionals who register on the site and to dispensing pharmacies. In addition access to the data bank may also accessible in certain situations by:

• Licensing and Regulatory Boards for investigations of health professionals who prescribe or dispense Schedule II – V prescription medications
• Law Enforcement agencies for drug investigations (court orders may be required)
• State Medicaid programs for member and provider reviews
• State medical examiners for cause of death assessments
• Research organizations for data analysis and research

Psychiatrist using PDMP

Dr. Darvin Hege uses the Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database as part of his practice. He has a secure restricted access to track every prescription of a controlled drug that he prescribes. In the development of a successful treatment program for his patients he has access to verify his patients are taking their medications as prescribed if concerns develop.

“If I have concerns about my ongoing patients, I look them up on the program website,” Dr. Hege says. “If my concerns are substantiated about their abuse, I stop writing these prescriptions for them and recommend more intensive substance abuse treatment. However, seldom do they ever accept my recommendations for help. Usually when confronted, they are not at that stage of being ready for help and the feelings about being caught create such defensive reactions that the relationship is not salvageable.”

“When I start patients on abusable medications, I always warn them about these risks. I am especially proactive with patients I start on Adderall, including telling them about this monitoring system to discourage them from ever starting to overuse it. We have many very effective and wonderful medications but these risks need to be faced with the patient before they take their first pill.”

Prescription drug addiction is a growing problem in the U.S. with the National Institute of Drug Abuse estimating that 20% of the U.S. population have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons at some point in their lives. With data only looking at those who have overdosed on prescribed medication and have been abusing them, the numbers point to more than 8 million citizens with a prescription drug addiction at any one time.

What is Prescription Drug Addiction?

Addiction causes compulsive drug seeking and use even when harmful consequences are involved. While many may think of illegal drugs when talking about a drug addiction, the number of “legal addicts,” or those with a prescription drug addiction continue to rise. Abusing drugs whether legal or illegal, lead to changes in the brain’s structure and function which have a negative impact on one’s personal or professional life. Addiction is a chronic often relapsing brain disorder.

Common Medications of Prescription Drug Addiction

There are three classes of medications that are typically abused with prescription drug addiction taking over a person’s life. The three classes are 1) opioids, 2) stimulants, and 3) central nervous system depressants.

• Opioids – may be used effectively to treat pain on a short term basis; used long-term they may lead to prescription drug addiction and physical dependence. Over-use can easily lead to a life threatening overdose. Prescription medications properly prescribed and taken are not an addiction, however if the need for more and more opioids begins to take a front seat in your life it may be time to seek help. Working with a qualified addiction psychiatrist is the best option for breaking the hold prescription drug addiction has on you.
• Stimulants – may be used to treat medical issues of ADHD, ADD, depression, narcolepsy and numerous other problems. Working with an experienced mental health professional the use of these medications has proven effective for millions of people with a specific diagnosis such as ADHD, ADD, or depression for example. Using these medications for enjoyment can quickly turn into a difficult to stop prescription drug addiction. It may even be possible that these medications may be what the doctor prescribes after a comprehensive evaluation.
• Central nervous system depressants – medications such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin or Ativan may be used to treat anxiety, panic, insomnia, and sleep disorders. These medications work by decreasing brain activity resulting in a calm or drowsy state. These medications can quickly become both physically and psychologically addicting and are prescribed on a short-term basis if at all possible. Having a seasoned prescription drug addiction doctor working with you is the top choice when your well-being, mental and physical health are involved.

Local Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction

Help is as close as your phone. Give our office a call to set up an appointment.

National statistics show that depression affects one out of every 10 U.S. adults, however those numbers are argued to be way off the real mark. Besides the adults who do not admit to being depressed, will not report their depression or seek help, there are large segments of the U.S. population that do not even realize they are going through life suffering from depression. These people have hidden depression or concealed depression. In fact, depression affects so many adults that it has been coined the common cold of mental illness.

Hidden Depression May be Different for Everyone

Depression is something that everyone may experience at one or several points in their life. Depression is part of a normal process when dealing with a loss, changes in life, sadness, loneliness, or any number of stressful situations or events. Hidden depression for one is not the same depression for another. Hidden depression may have different levels of severity and may be exhibited in a variety of ways – often subtle changes that may not be recognized as depression.

Signs and Symptoms of Hidden Depression

Becoming aware of hidden depression is as important as becoming aware of your individual signs and symptoms that signal the occurrence or recurrence of depression. Seeking out help once you understand how hidden depression is affecting not only your life, but how it impacts on your relationships, social groups, job performance, and plans for the future. Untreated depression does not “just go away” with time. The signs and symptoms may decrease, but may come back with even more life disruption at any time.

Hidden Depression’s Small Signs Very Individual

Hidden depression symptoms or signs do not have to include crying episodes, feelings of extreme sadness, lethargy, or the inability to get up and go to work every day. Very often adults with hidden depression may just feel they are having an “off” or “bad” day that may last for weeks or longer.

Examples of some small signs could include not getting your hair cut for months, no longer bothering to color the gray hair, no longer caring to make your bed, eating foods you normally avoid, wearing old sweat pants out to dinner and other “small personal signs” that are a change from what you would normally do or never do.

More Noticeable Signs of Hidden Depression

While many hidden depression signs and symptoms are easy to miss, with small changes in behavior from what was “normal,” the following signs may be more recognizable as a symptom of depression:

• Unusual sleep, eating or drinking habits from what would be considered normal for you: not sleeping enough, over-sleeping, overeating, avoiding foods with loss of weight, drinking too much, no longer drinking, or loss of interest in social activities and hobbies may all signal a depressed mood.
• Living life behind a constant smile or “mask” of happiness. Hidden depression signs may include avoiding spending time with family and friends, making excuses for not meeting friends out, or not participating in previously loved pursuits. Avoidance is related to the amount of effort it takes to appear happy – spending time with those that know you makes “wearing the mask of happiness” harder and harder to do.
• Admitting they are depressed, making an appointment for help, or sharing their sometimes dark thoughts, only to have the feelings taken back, appointments cancelled, and telling others it was all a joke or was not real. Those with hidden depression struggle with these “lapses” in letting other see their “weakness” so they close up again.
• Exhibit their emotions strongly when they normally do not behave in that manner. This could include uncharacteristic behaviors such as road rage, crying over commercials or emotional parts of a movie, or freely expressing their love or caring for others when this would be considered “strange” behavior by those who know you.

There are numerous other examples of hidden depression and its effect on your life. Working with an experienced depression psychiatrist is the best first step to take to make the change in your life that will leave you feeling more fulfilled, hopeful for the future, and truly happy for maybe the first time in your life.

Contact Us

If you or someone you care about has suspected depression, call the office for a confidential appointment.

While being diagnosed with the correct mental health disorder is critical for development of a treatment plan which includes medication, thousands of patients receive an incorrect plan, often continuing to struggle through life for years to come. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that in the U.S. 1.6% of the population is diagnosed with BPD or Borderline Personality Disorder compared with 2.6% of the population that have bipolar disorder.

Is it Bipolar or BPD?

When comparing bipolar disorder, which may also be referred to as bipolar affective disorder, manic depressive disorder or manic depression — BPD or borderline personality disorder rivals the deterioration of psychiatric and physical health that is also present in those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In addition, those with either bipolar or BPD present with co-occurring mental health illness symptoms that overlap each other make it difficult for even those with experience to ascertain which disorder (bipolar or BPD) is actually present.

Bipolar and BPD Share Similar Symptoms

Science Daily reports that clinical comparisons and study have intimated that BPD is as disabling as bipolar disorders. Data from psychiatric patient samples show that BPD is seen as frequently as bipolar disorder and share many of the same overlapping issues. Both bipolar and BPD patients typically suffer from depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders and suicidal behaviors.

Bipolar versus BPD

People with bipolar disorder may experience the same mood or phase of their cycle for weeks at a time while those with BPD find themselves dealing with intense bouts of anger, depression and anxiety that are relatively short in duration. Both disorders have similar symptoms such as extreme mood swings, displaying reckless behavior, and being impulsive. While a major defining factor of bipolar disorder involves extreme highs and lows in mood, those with BPD have significant difficulty regulating their emotions and thoughts, at times finding themselves at the extreme destructive ranges of mood.

Diagnosing Bipolar or BPD Correctly

The correct diagnosis is often confusing and tricky for mental health professionals with limited experience. While they may have similar and overlapping symptoms they are completely different disorders that require their own unique treatments and therapeutic plan. Having a correct diagnosis early allows for providing effective treatment more quickly. Misdiagnosis and delay of proper treatment brings with it a higher risk of complications, worsened symptoms, or even risk of suicide.

Dr. Hege, a highly respected psychiatrist in the Atlanta area has more than 25 years of experience providing correct diagnoses and successful treatment plans for those that have sought him out for the help they needed to get their lives back on track. If you too need help, call the office for an appointment.

Treatment for Bipolar and BDP

If Dr. Hege diagnoses bipolar disorder, he is very experienced in providing medication management. He usually also recommends a therapist for supporting and/or insight oriented psychotherapy to enhance the response to treatment. If he diagnoses borderline personality disorder, he refers patients for the most scientifically proven treatment, DBT. DBT is a structured treatment provided by a specially trained therapist. These therapists work in the same office in collaboration with a psychiatrist to provide the most effective, integrated treatments.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a subtype of major depression that comes and goes based on seasons. SAD typically begins to affect people as early as September as fall develops and can continue on through early April. There is also an opposite pattern where seasonal affective disorder symptoms begin in the spring or summer. No matter when the seasonal pattern begins, the symptoms start out mild and become more and more disruptive as the season continues.

Statistics of Seasonal Affective Disorder

SAD affects an estimated 10 million Americans, with another 2-million who have mild seasonal affective disorder. SAD is about four times more common in women than men. While people of all ages can develop seasonal affective disorder, the average age when this illness first develops is 23 years of age.

SAD and Major Depression

Since seasonal affective disorder is a subtype of major depression that tends to “follow the seasons,” the symptoms of major depression that may also be a part of SAD include:

• Being depressed most of the day, generally most every day
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Problems with sleeping
• Appetite or weight changes
• Feeling sluggish or agitated, having low energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Fall and Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder

Winter onset SAD is also called winter depression. Symptoms can include:

• Fatigue, tiredness
• Crying spells
• Trouble concentrating
• Body aches
• Irritability and problems getting along with others
• Loss of sex drive
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling like your body is weighing you down
• Overeating and weight gain with cravings for carbohydrates
• Being hypersensitive to rejection or criticism

Spring and Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder

Summer onset SAD is sometimes called summer depression. Symptoms reported for this subtype of major depression include:

• Insomnia
• Poor appetite and weight loss
• Irritability, agitation, or anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Crying spells

Seasonal Affective Disorder Help 

Feeling “blue” can happen to anyone, however, if you find your “blue” day extending into a longer period of time with other symptoms mentioned above, it could very well be time to seek out help from a qualified mental health professional.

Dr. Hege, an Atlanta based seasonal affective disorder psychiatrist is just a phone call away from the help you need. Put an end to SAD and call the office today.

There is more to adult ADHD than a diagnosis and the doctor writing a prescription. With three subtypes of adult ADHD, there are treatment differences revolving around the type that you have. Receiving a diagnosis is not enough – developing an individual treatment focus and design around your needs is what makes for a successful outcome.

Three Types of Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD can have a crippling effect on a relationship, a job, friendships, and overall satisfaction with life. There are three subtypes of ADHD identified. Two of the types of adult ADHD are “Inattentive,” and “Hyperactivity-Impulsivity.” The third type is the Combined type, the one most commonly diagnosed, where there is both hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention.

Symptoms of Hyperactivity and Impulsive Type of ADHD

Those who have the predominantly “Hyperactive – Impulsive” type of adult ADHD show symptoms of both hyperactivity and impulsiveness; they do not have enough of the inattention symptoms to meet the criteria for an inattention subtype diagnosis. This is the least common type of ADHD. Symptoms include:

• Constant Motion – feeling all “revved up,” constantly on the go
• Fidgeting – typically frequent shifting in their seat, tapping fingers, getting up and down from their seat throughout an event (movie, dinner, or social situation)
• Inability to Relax – difficulty sitting still for quiet activities like watching TV, relaxing or listening to soft music
• Talking too much, difficulty listening
• Talking out of turn, blurting out comments, jumping in to other’s conversations you were not a part of
• Forgetfulness, disorganization, and frequently “losing” items you need
• May take part in risky behaviors
• Having low frustration tolerance
• Difficulty controlling temper or coping with stress

Symptoms of Inattentive Type Adult ADHD

Those with the inattentive type do not typically display symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsive behaviors but do not have enough of the symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsive behaviors to meet the criteria for the diagnosis of inattentive or impulsive subtype. The symptoms of Inattentive adult ADHD include:

• Failing to pay attention and stay focused
• Making careless mistakes
• Avoiding tasks that require effort or are challenging
• Easily distracted
• Difficulty with following or understanding directions or instructions
• Impulsive decisions or behavior
• Forgetfulness as well as losing needed items to complete a task
• Not paying attention to detail
• Problems with maintaining a relationship or a job

Combined Type ADHD Symptoms

Being diagnosed with the combined type of adult ADHD means that you may have symptoms from both the Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive types of ADHD. Working with a specially trained adult ADHD psychiatrist pairs experience with a successful history of developing individual treatment and medication plans that work.

Call Dr. Hege for an appointment convenient for your work and home-life schedules.

A study published in the June 2015 Journal of Psychopharmacology reports widespread cognitive decline of menopausal women.  The areas of cognitive decline affect executive functions, most notably difficulties with time management, organization, memory, attention and problem solving. With approximately 90 million post-menopausal women in the U.S. with an average age of 52 at onset, these women live in a post-menopausal state for almost 1/3 of their lives.

Prior to this study, I hadn’t seen objective studies of ADHD like syndrome emerging during menopause, but I had seen numerous women presenting with suspected ADHD during menopause. My history taking with these women almost always reveals a history of pre-existing ADHD or sub-threshould multiple ADHD like symptoms. Regardless of the origin of the ADHD like symptoms, Vyvanse and other psychostimulants typically are quite helpful.

ADHD Vyvanse Dual Use

The medication Vyvanse primarily used in the treatment of adult ADHD, has also successfully treated cognitive issues of menopausal women promoting healthy cognitive aging as a major public health goal.  ADHD Vyvanse research data shows a 41% overall improvement in executive function deficits compared to those receiving a placebo medication.

Benefits of Vyvanse Treatment

Vyvanse, also known as lisdexamfetamine or LDX, not only improves executive function in menopausal women, the medication has also been proven to show significant improvements in rating four out of the five subscales used in mental health evaluation and diagnosis which include:

• Organization and motivation for work
• Attention and concentration
• Alertness, effort, and processing speed
• Working memory and accessing recall

Comprehensive Evaluation Critical for Correct Diagnosis

Study results show that ADHD Vyvanse, LXD or lisdexamfetamine, show significant positive results. It is crucial however to confirm that the complaints of cognitive changes including loss of memory, or issues with executive function abilities are tied to the transition to menopause and do not point to another pathological cognitive impairment. Working with a psychiatrist experienced in this field is mandatory for a correct diagnosis or diagnoses to build the proper medication and treatment plan upon.

Call Dr. Hege for a confidential and comprehensive evaluation to determine the best course of treatment to meet your needs.

According to Mayo Clinic research studies, finding the right diagnosis for a mental illness is often difficult, especially when there are over-lapping symptoms and individual concerns. Taking the time to find the right mental illness health professional, such as an experienced psychiatrist, can make the critical difference in determining which diagnosis or which multiple diagnoses are present in order to develop a successful treatment plan.

Mental Illness Diagnosis

There are a wide range of mental illness diagnoses that can point to where the proper treatment plan should begin. Individual differences as well as lifestyle, family and social interactions need to be included in the treatment plan as it is developed as well as when the plan needs adjusting. Working with a mental illness psychiatrist can help you find the right diagnosis or diagnoses and treatment that meets your individual situation more quickly than working with health care practitioners less experienced with psychiatry.

Classes of Mental Illness

Most all mental illness diagnoses fit into one or more specific categories. The following list shows the wide variety of types of mental illness that can occur as a singular diagnosis or as part of a combination of symptoms and disorders. Treating one mental illness when multiple disorders exist will not bring all the success one hopes for.

Following is a listing of different classes of mental illness disorders:

• Bipolar and other related disorders – This class of mental illness includes disorders with alternating episodes of mania where there are periods of excessive activity and energy as well as periods of depression.
• Depressive Disorder – this class includes your emotional health, including the level of sadness and happiness you live with.
• Anxiety Disorders – this class of mental illness includes an emotion of anxiety that is characterized by a feeling of dread, danger, misfortune, or of impending doom. This class can include panic disorder, anxiety disorder, and phobias.
• Trauma and Stress Related Disorders – these mental illness disorders are adjustment issues where difficulty arises during or after a stressful event. This class includes PTSD and acute stress disorder.
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders – while many of these issues may begin in childhood, thousands of adults are faced with undiagnosed ADHD.
• Obsessive Compulsive and related disorders – these mental illness disorders include a preoccupation or an obsession, as well as repetitive thoughts and actions.
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders – this class of mental illness, psychotic disorder, causes a detachment from reality with, for example, delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, and detachment from reality. While schizophrenia may be the most widely known diagnosis in this class there are numerous other numerous forms of this class of mental illness.
• Substance and Addictive Disorders – these mental illness disorders include issues associated with alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, drugs (both legal and illegal) and having a gambling disorder.
• Personality Disorders – this class includes having a pattern of emotional instability and unhealthy behavior that cause an issue in your life and relationships. These types of mental illness include antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder.

While the list of different classes of mental illness continues on, those listed may be the most common ones diagnosed and treated by mental health practitioners.  Other mental illness disorders include dissociative disorders, somatic symptoms and disorders, feeding and eating disorders, sleep-wake disorders, sexual dysfunctions, and impulse control and conduct issues to name a few more that need psychiatric treatment.

• Other Mental Disorders – this is another class of mental illness that includes mental disorders that are due to other medical conditions or those disorders that do not meet the full criteria for one of the above listed mental illness disorders.

Connect with a Psychiatrist

Get the help you need by finding the right psychiatrist for you. Make the call and get connected to Dr. Hege to start treatment that is tailored to fit your individual issues and needs.

Making that first step toward making an initial psych visit is often difficult for most. Fear and anxiety stop many from taking that first step toward help. Increased education is needed to change the way one looks at the initial psych visit.

Initial Psych Visit Fears

Anxiety and fear over life changes, talking about current problems, or finding out you have a mental health disorder are normal feelings to have. Look at the initial psych visit as the start of a journey of self discovery, of learning more about yourself, as well as conquering the fears and anxiety that have kept you from realizing your full potential all this time. Take that first step toward positive change by making an appointment for your initial psych visit.

Initial Psych Visit Questions

Every psychiatrist or mental health professional has their own style and procedure for an initial psych visit, however they may ask about your mood, thoughts and behavior. In addition, the following questions may commonly be addressed during your visit:

• What symptoms or behaviors have you noticed?
• How is your daily life affected by your symptoms?
• Have you tried anything that makes you feel better?
• Have you been able to keep your symptoms under control?
• Have you ever gone for mental health treatment before?
• What kind of things make you feel worse?
• Have others commented on your mood or behavior?
• Do you have any blood relatives with a mental illness?
• What medications or over-the-counter meds, vitamins, herbs or supplements do you currently take?
• Do you drink alcohol or use any illegal drugs?
• Do you have any medical or physical problems?
• What is causing you the most stress in your life?
• What do you hope will happen or change with therapy?

Sensitive to Your Fears

Whatever your reason for avoiding that initial psych visit, Dr. Hege and the friendly office staff understand your worries surrounding taking that first step. Call for a confidential appointment during the day, evening or weekend – there is a time available to meet your needs.