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CNN recently reported on the results of a 20 year study that show women with post-traumatic stress face a 60% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, the study discovered that women who experienced a trauma without reporting any PTSD symptoms still faced a 45% higher risk of heart attack and stroke than women who did not report any trauma in their lives.

PTSD Occurrence

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is twice as common in women as in men occurring in some people following a traumatic event in their lives. Those with PTSD may experience flashbacks of the traumatic event, insomnia, fatigue, trouble with memory or focus and a feeling of emotional numbness. Other symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, irritability, or of being easily startled or upset. A knowledgeable psychiatrist will be able to successfully direct the treatment plan to manage both mental health and physical health concerns.

Cardiovascular Disease vs PTSD Symptoms

Data from the 20 year study indicated that almost half of the association between elevated PTSD symptoms and cardiovascular disease was accounted for by unhealthy behaviors like smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and medical factors such as high blood pressure. While PTSD is typically looked at as a psychological disorder, findings from the study point to the profound impact PTSD has on physical health, specifically cardiovascular risk, making PTSD a potentially serious health impacting mental health disorder.

PTSD Symptoms

PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into one of four types: 1) intrusive memories, 2) avoidance, 3) negative changes in thinking and mood, or 4) changes in emotional reactions. The symptoms most commonly seen in each type follow:

Intrusive Memories – symptoms may include:

• Reliving the traumatic event over and over again
• Unwanted distressing memories recur frequently
• Upsetting dreams related to the traumatic event
• Severe emotional distress
• Emotional or physical reactions to reminders of event

Avoidance – symptoms seen include:

• Avoiding places, people or activities that reminds one of the traumatic event
• Making an effort to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event

Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood – symptoms include:

• Having negative feelings about oneself or others
• Being unable to experience positive feelings or emotions
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Feelings of hopelessness or impending doom
• Memory loss related to important details about traumatic event
• Trouble maintaining close relationships

Changes in Emotional Reactions – symptoms for this include:

• Self-destructive behaviors
• Overwhelming guilt or shame
• Feeling constantly on guard for danger
• Expressions of irritability, aggressive behavior, outbursts of anger
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing
• Experiencing sleep disturbances
• Finding yourself easily startled or frightened

Treatment for Women with PTSD

There has been great success in treating PTSD with a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. An experienced psychiatrist understands the connection between PTSD and increased risk of cardiovascular disease; both the mental and physical aspects of PTSD will be covered in a treatment plan geared to individual needs.

Call the office to set up an initial visit at a time convenient to your schedule.

Thousands of people every day wonder if their behavior or emotional state is normal or not. Unfortunately, someone can needlessly suffer for years before their actions or symptoms become out of control and psychiatric help is finally sought.

Mental Health Diagnoses

With more than 200 classified forms of mental health illness, the organization Mental Health Awareness reports that mental health disorders often share similar symptoms. When multiple diagnoses are present, it takes a skilled professional to make an accurate assessment to design an individual treatment plan for recovery.

Following are some of the numerous symptoms and problematic behaviors that indicate further mental health appraisal is in order.

• Exhibiting frequent and dangerous sexual acting out: The issue may be psychological, emotional or trauma based and include sexting, acting as a prostitute, having sex with multiple partners or wanting an open relationship without boundaries.

• Displaying frequent physical and/or verbal aggression: Having a “quick temper” or a “difficult personality” does not automatically point to a mental health disorder. Behaviors alerting you to a possible mental health disorder include frequently lashing out in anger at others, being abusive to others (verbal, physical, or sexual abuse), or acting in a manner that jeopardizes your job or living conditions.

• Planning to harm yourself or commit suicide: All suicidal threats need to be addressed. Threats with a plan need immediate attention.

• Finding yourself extremely fatigued or depressed: Many have experienced being “worn out” from a hectic work or family week, or feeling sad and depressed about their job, financial situation or relationship. A mental health evaluation may be in order if you suffer for example from chronic sleep disturbance, feel hopeless or helpless, do not care about previously enjoyed activities, have weight gain or weight loss, find yourself irritable with others for no real reason, or finding it more and more difficult just making it through the day.

• Preoccupation with physical appearance, money or crime: Many in our society may display narcissism yet still be within “normal” ranges. Clinical narcissism on the other hand, interferes with one’s daily life routine. Examples include acting impulsively, gambling beyond your means, displaying risky sexual behaviors including infidelity, substance abuse / addiction, or being extremely vain.  It is time to make an appointment with a psychiatrist for therapeutic intervention.

• Flashbacks or night terrors: After experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, it is not uncommon to experience flashbacks or night terrors. Flashbacks about such a traumatic event is known as Secondary Trauma which can often be just as upsetting as or more so than the original event.

• Frequent mood changes: Those that suffer from emotional lability, changing moods, engaging in risky behaviors without restriction, and having intense emotional reactions to normal everyday situations would find receiving the correct mental health diagnosis or the more common dual or combination mental health diagnoses and treatment life changing.

With the multitude of disorders and mental health illness where symptoms may be identical or overlap, a mental health evaluation by a specialist in the field will find the correct diagnosis so that proper treatment can be started.  Call the office for an appointment today.

Research data by the National Center for Biotechnology show that many patients initially prescribed antidepressant medication do not report a timely remission of their depression. Studies have shown that only 33% of those diagnosed with major depression get better with the initial antidepressant medication. Another 30% achieve depression relief after taking a combination of different medications, or through a combination of medicines and cognitive behavioral therapy.  The final roughly 30% of patients do not respond to numerous treatment attempts and may have treatment resistant depression (TRD).

Depression by the Numbers

Clinical depression affects more than 15 million adults in the U.S.  It is being predicted that in the years to come depression will become the second most common illness in the world. For those 30% that do not respond to various treatment options, an experienced psychiatrist may find them to have treatment resistant depression – the diagnosis that is one of the most challenging conditions a psychiatrist may face.

What is Treatment Resistant Depression?

The answer is often hard for mental health professionals to explain or agree upon. Some questions you may ask yourself before calling to set up an appointment with a local psychiatrist experienced in TRD follow:

• Has your depression treatment / medications failed to make you feel better?
• Do you feel your treatment has helped with the depression but you still do not feel like your old self?
• Have you found that your medication’s side effects have been hard to handle?

If you said “yes” to any of the above questions get a specialist involved to develop a treatment plan that “fits” you. Whether or not you have treatment resistant depression, it is important to talk with your mental health professional to examine how your life can become a joy that feels worth living.

Living with Undiagnosed TRD

Depression treatments do not always work. Those with undiagnosed treatment resistant depression may become disheartened when their treatment plan keeps changing but no positive results are seen.  Living with TRD can leave one feeling hopeless, discouraged, and even demoralized. Months and years can go by without finding any relief for your depression. It can take time to work through, but an experienced psychiatrist can help.

Finding the Right Doctor Key to Success

Primary care doctors do treat depression and prescribe 60% to 65% of antidepressants in the U.S.  If you have not had success with the medications prescribed for your depression or think you may have treatment resistant depression it is time to see a TRD specialist.

Call the office for a confidential assessment. Evening and weekend appointments are available for your convenience.

Many do not understand what depression looks like, thinking that persistent sadness is the main symptom to be identified.  While sadness can be a symptom, it is often more likely that a mental health professional will diagnosis depression looking at a variety of other symptoms. Depression may display subtle and confusing signs leading a person to believe that “this is just the way my life is,” not that they have a treatable disease that is casting a shadow over their life and the lives of those around them.

The Statistics of Depression

The Center for Disease Control and Office for National Statistics report that almost 20 million Americans suffer from depression. The data concludes that up to 25% of women and up to 12% of men will become clinically depressed in their lifetime, with the majority never being diagnosed. With a poor understanding of what depression looks like, many endure years with a variety of symptoms that impact their daily lives without ever considering they may be depressed.

Depression Triggers Variety of Symptoms

Depression may trigger symptoms that are not typically thought of with depression. Constant tiredness, insomnia, poor appetite, forgetfulness, or being unable to focus and concentrate often lead one to think they are just working too hard, not getting enough sleep, or feeling stress from daily life. With depression you can still function, continue to work, have relationships, raise a family and continue to push yourself from day to day, month to month.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Although each case of depression may appear differently, there are several common factors to look for:

• Changes in weight, sleeping habits or appetite – these symptoms vary from person to person. For example, one person may want to sleep all the time, while others may battle insomnia; losing weight from poor appetite is a symptom for one while weight gain from eating all the time fits another person.
• Physical symptoms that do not go away – includes recurring headaches, back aches, digestive or GI disorders, chronic fatigue, menstrual issues or aches and pains that persist.
• Low mood – This is the most obvious symptom of depression; low mood may also transcend into low self-esteem, becoming self-critical or judgmental, and finding oneself irritable with friends, family and co-workers; a low mood may also “flip” at a certain time of the day where you may feel more animated, anxious, and energetic.
• General apathy and lack of interest or pleasure in normal daily activities – You may feel listless, washed out, the world or your life flat or colorless. Depression often promotes isolation with sufferers not wanting to be around others, not wanting to go out and “have fun,” tending to spend more and more time at home.
• Low sex drive – In addition to being a symptom of depression, low sex drive may have a biological cause as depression is linked with hormonal changes.
• Forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating – decreased ability to recall the details of an event or situation, which impacts on problem solving and decision making skills.
• Pessimistic or hopeless outlook on life – a depressed person is more apt to dwell on negative consequences, or see upcoming events or social activities in a negative manner; they may experience feelings of guilt, helplessness or thoughts of suicide

Women and Depression

In the book “Listening to Depression” women often engage in behaviors that are “masked depression.” Depression for women may include compulsive shopping, working, eating or drinking. Women may also say they are not depressed but rather they just do not care – an attitude of indifference can signal depression.

Depression Help in Atlanta

Call the office for an appointment to discuss your symptoms and determine your next steps. Dr. Hege has decades of successful treatment for those suffering from depression.

Research has found that sleep problems which used to be viewed as a symptom of mental health disruption may actually be a contributing factor for psychiatric disorders. Studies at Harvard Medical School confirm that sleep problems affect between 10% to 18% of adults in the general U.S. population; the percentage of adult patients seen in psychiatric practices with chronic sleep issues jumps to 80%.

Sleep Problems Point to Increased Risk for Psychiatric Disorders

Patients with a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and ADHD commonly report being plagued with sleep problems. While sleep dysfunction was once viewed as a symptom, clinical data supports the hypothesis that adult sleep problems raise the risk for developing a psychiatric disorder. In long term studies it was found that adults who reported a history of insomnia were four times as likely to develop major depression on re-evaluation three years later, indicating the sleep disruptions developed before the mental health disorder.

Sleep Problems versus use of Antipsychotics

Sleep issues and insomnia began to be more closely looked at in the 1970’s. The sleep problems were thought to be directly tied to use of antipsychotics at the time; however, data indicates a long history of sleep disturbance complaints long before use of antipsychotics began. Today it is more widely believed that chronic sleep problems puts one more at risk for the development of psychiatric issues and that treating the sleep disorder can actually assist in alleviating symptoms of a co-occurring mental health problem.

Sleep Disorders in Psychiatric Patients

Of the more than 70 types of sleep disorders the most common problems are insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, unpleasant sleep movement syndromes and narcolepsy. The University of Brazil Medical School reports the type and impact of the sleep problems vary by the psychiatric diagnosis with examples noted below:

• Up to 90% of adults with major depression experience a sleep problem
• One-in-five adults with depression suffer from obstructive sleep apnea
• Depressed adults with insomnia less likely to respond to treatment, at a higher risk for relapse and are more likely to die by suicide
• Up to 99% of adults with bipolar disorder experience insomnia or restless sleep
• In adults with bipolar depression up to 78% sleep in excessive amounts
• More than 50% of adults with anxiety disorders have dysfunctional sleep patterns
• Sleep problems precede anxiety disorders 27% of the time
• Sleep dysfunction precedes depression 69% of the time
• 68% of adults with PTSD report sleeping problems
• Long term studies indicate that insomnia or other sleep disruptions worsen before a manic episode or bipolar depression

Sleep and mental health are interconnected though not yet completely understood. Neurochemistry studies do indicate that having a good night’s sleep promotes a healthier outlook, while chronic sleep problems can set up an arena for negative thought processes and emotional vulnerability. Call the office for a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Hege who will work with you to get your sleep patterns and mental health issues back into functional ranges.

The National Institute of Mental Health is evaluating research data on insomnia and depression from major U.S. schools such as Stanford, Duke, the University of Pittsburgh, as well as Ryerson University in Toronto. The research from all schools conclude that while it has been long held belief that depression causes insomnia, insomnia can actually precede and directly contribute to causing depression. The link between depression and insomnia works in both directions, however treating both can make a huge difference in curing both depression and insomnia.

Common Signs of Insomnia with Undiagnosed Depression

Some of the most common signs reported for an insomnia diagnosis include:

• Fatigue during the daytime with loss of energy
• Irritability with others
• Difficulty concentrating and focusing
• Feeling like you never get “enough” sleep
• Trouble falling asleep
• Difficulty going back to sleep after waking up during the night
• Waking up at all hours of the night
• Waking up before the alarm clock goes off

Common signs of Major Depression

Some of the most common symptoms of major depression also include signs that point to insomnia:

• Change in sleep patterns
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Impaired concentration with complaints of poor memory
• Insomnia or its reverse hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Problems staying asleep all night

While there is cross-over of symptoms between insomnia and depression it does not mean you have one or both of these two diagnoses. Only an experienced psychiatrist can correctly diagnosis and successfully treat either insomnia, depression, or a combination of the two discovering if it was insomnia that preceded the depression or vise-versa.

Combination Treatment Effective

Depression and insomnia do respond to use of one or a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). While pharmacological and CBT can be used to treat both depression and insomnia, treatment of insomnia or sleep problems are typically an integral component used in the treatment of depression.

Getting Help

Self-diagnosis or incorrect diagnosis and treatment may cause more harm than good, delay proper treatment, and risk developing other physical, medical or mental health issues.

Call Dr. Hege for a confidential day, evening or weekend appointment.

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.

In the not so distant past it may have taken months to years of worry, fear and distress before finally being correctly diagnosed with a panic disorder. While mental health professionals today may make the proper diagnosis of panic more quickly, many people suffer through their panic attack not knowing they have a disorder that is easily treated.

Panic Attack Mimics Heart Disease

The ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) reports that hundreds of thousands of emergency room and medical appointments are directly related to panic attack. The patient reports symptoms during their panic attack that mimic cardiac or heart disease. In fact the medical symptoms are so close to resembling a life threatening issue that an EKG is generally ordered for a correct diagnosis.

Panic Attack Mimics Many Medical Disorders

While panic attacks are most often compared to diagnoses of heart disease, heart attack, and severe angina, they also mimic other medical disorders as well. A panic attack can mimic breathing disorders, thyroid problems, and impede proper organ functioning which can affect the whole body and feelings of wellness. People who suffer from panic symptoms often do so in private, slowly distancing themselves from their support systems.

Symptoms of Panic Attack

A panic attack comes on abruptly and brings the feelings of intense fear developing within a few short minutes. For a diagnosis of panic attack includes at least four of the following symptoms:

• Heart palpitations, pounding heart, fast heart rate, chest pain or heavy discomfort
• Feeling short of breath, or of being smothered or choked
• Body trembling or shaking
• Numbness or tingling of body parts or extremities
• Sweating with alternating feelings of being chilled or hot
• Nausea or having abdominal or GI distress
• Feeling of “losing control,” or “going crazy”
• Fears of dying
• Feeling faint or light-headed

Panic Attack among the Sexes

Research studies show that women are more likely to have a psychiatric disorder during their lifetime. In fact, from puberty to about age 50, a woman is two times more likely than a man to have an anxiety disorder. Brain chemistry, female hormones and sensitivity to specific hormones that regulate stress responses make women two times more vulnerable than a man. While women may be more susceptible to panic attacks or panic disorder, fewer women than men seek out help and often suffer in silence never knowing how close the “cure” to their disorder is. There is no need to suffer in silence or to endure the pain and fear of a panic disorder. Atlanta panic attack psychiatrist Dr. Darvin Hege has successfully diagnosed and treated panic attack and panic disorder for over two decades.

In a recent study on addiction relapse by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it was found that illicit drug use is now at its highest level in the U.S. One reason for the escalating rate of drug abuse are those with a prior drug addiction who now present with an addiction relapse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse makes note there is a 40% to 60% addiction relapse rate.

Statistics of Addiction Relapse

Addiction affects everyone, from family and friends, work buddies, employers, and even affects the community cost of caring for those with addiction from the local to state level. There are more than 2.1 million U.S. ER visits a year directly related to drug abuse. Addiction to prescribed medications is at 27.1% of the ER visits or well over 1/2 million people, and it actually has higher rates of occurrence than the 21.2% related to illicit drug use, which is still more than 425,000 people.

Long Term Addiction Relapse Data

Addiction and substance abuse is typically viewed as “addiction relapse prone.” While the rates of relapse may seem overwhelming, receiving vital mental health treatment from an experienced practitioner has significant impact on the rate of relapse, making recovery possible.

Long term study data has found that among drug abusers (prescribed and illicit) 27% died within a 20 year period, and only 27% still remained in recovery. Proper treatment is critical not only for recovery; continuing treatment is vital for long term health and to protect against the pull of addiction relapse.

Quality of Life Parameters versus Addiction Relapse

Achieving recovery and avoiding addiction relapse does reap the rewards of leading a functional life that can be measured in strength of relationships and friendships, mental health status, gainful employment and optimal physical health. Recovery with proper addiction relapse therapy can and does work to bring you into a fuller, positive life.

Atlanta Addiction Specialist

Dr. Hege has decades of experience working in Atlanta with addiction concerns. His successful treatment regime may include medication, detox, individual treatment, outpatient recovery, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or any number of adjunct therapies to meet your individual needs. Call the office and get back on the road to recovery and a functional satisfying life.

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!