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Having been a bully or the victim of a bully is generally thought to be a problem of childhood and adolescence which becomes virtually non-existent with the passage into adulthood. A research study published in the Journal of American Medical Association – Psychiatry (JAMA Psychiatry) reports that effects of bullying continue well into adulthood significantly increasing the risk for psychiatric problems such as depression, social anxiety disorder, and suicidal thoughts as well as the development of substance abuse of illegal drugs and/or prescription medications.

Types of Bullying Behaviors

Bullying defines a group of repetitive, aggressive behaviors used to abuse or intimidate others and establish psychological or physical dominance over its victims. Bullying may take place in person or online. Bullying behaviors include physical intimidation or actual assault, verbal intimidation, or social intimidation.

In adulthood bullying may be seen in work and social settings, where the victim is teased, threatened, punched, kicked, pushed, excluded from the group, or where hurtful rumors are spread. In the “virtual world” bullying can come via text messages, public or shared videos, Facebook posts, private e-mails, or in online group forums.

Bullying versus Victim Statistics

Research studies have looked at three main subgroups related to bullying. One group contained those who admitted to bullying others, a second study group was for victims of bullying, and a third group was for those that were bully-victims. Bully-victims are those that have been both a victim and a bully, picking on others in response to being picked on themselves. The statistics of each subgroup follows:

• Bullies display 4 times the risk of developing antisocial personality disorder than their non-bully social peers. Bullies tend to be the most socially adept and may use their bullying skills to assist them in rising up through social tiers and interactions.
• Victims show 4 times the prevalence of generalized anxiety, agoraphobia and panic disorder as adults when compared to those adults who were not bullied growing up. Victims of bullying report the greatest anxiety problems overall.
• Bully-victims have 14 times the risk of developing panic disorder, 5 times the risk of being diagnosed with depressive disorders and 10 times the risk of having suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Overall bully-victims have the most significant emotional issues which includes suicidal actions.

Successful Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder

The treatment of social anxiety disorder related to bullying may include a combination of medications, cognitive behavioral therapy and a variety of adjunct therapies dependent upon the severity of social anxiety, other co-existing mental health issues such as depression, suicidal thoughts or substance abuse.

The memory of being a bully or a victim of bullying may have been repressed, yet the suffering continues. Working closely with experienced mental health professionals can lead you through the healing process to a productive life without the fear, anxiety, or depression of your current situation.

Bullying – Victims Social Anxiety Doctor

Call Dr. Hege’s office for a confidential appointment and comprehensive evaluation.

While most adults have experienced periods of anxiety, fear, or uncertainty related to a stressful event, a developing problem at work or within a social relationship, these episodes typically last for a short period of time. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that anxiety disorders affect around 40 million adults in the U.S. each year with these episodes lasting for a longer time period of at least 6 months. Living with an anxiety disorder left untreated often becomes worse over time and can incapacitate a person.

Anxiety Disorder Comes in a Variety of Forms

Anxiety disorders bring distress and havoc to one’s life along with constant feelings of worry and fear; the intensity and duration of an episode often leave one crippled, unable to live a normal life. Anxiety disorders can appear as any of the following types:

• Panic disorder – feelings of terror that can strike suddenly “out of nowhere” without any warning
• Social anxiety disorder or Social phobia – brings overwhelming worry, nervousness and self-consciousness about everyday social situations; includes fear of being judged or ridiculed by others, or fear of embarrassing oneself
• Specific phobias – leaves one with an inappropriate intense fear of a specific object or situation, often resulting in avoidance of regular daily situations
• Generalized anxiety disorder – this type of anxiety disorder leaves one with excessive unrealistic worry, stress and tension without any cause or reason

Common Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder

The symptoms of an anxiety disorder vary depending on the type of the disorder. The most common general symptoms of adult anxiety disorder include:

• Feelings of panic, fear, uneasiness, nervousness
• Sleeping difficulties, trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep for any length of time
• Complaints of having cold or sweaty hands or feet
• Complaints of having shortness of breath (SOB)
• Heart palpitations
• Feelings of restlessness and poor ability to sit still
• Complaints of dry mouth
• Complaints of numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Feelings of chronic nausea
• Muscle tension
• Feeling dizzy

Causes of Anxiety Disorders

Following years of research, the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown. In the professional world it is thought that adult anxiety disorders are from a combination of factors which include environmental stress and physiological changes in the brain itself.  Studies of adult anxiety disorders also show that these disorders may be partly inherited from one or both parents, and that experiencing a significant trauma or event may trigger an anxiety disorder in those who have inherited the susceptibility to having one of these disorders.

If anxiety, stress and fear are starting to overtake your life, make the call to Dr. Hege, the area’s premier psychiatrist for adult anxiety disorders. Call for a confidential appointment. Dr. Hege offers convenient evening and weekend appointments to help work around your life schedule.

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 Social Anxiety Institute estimates that 7% of the U.S. population is currently faced with social anxiety disorders, with the lifetime prevalence rate reaching up to 14%. Millions around suffer from social anxiety every day – research studies show that social anxiety disorder is the third largest psychological disorder in the U.S., following depression and alcoholism as the number one and two disorder.

What is Social Anxiety?

Most people experience anxiety, shyness or self-consciousness during their lifetime. It is normal to feel anxious or to get the “jitters” before a speech, social encounters, an interview, or an important event, yet still be able to function in your regular day to day schedule. Social anxiety disorder however does interfere with your normal daily routine and brings tremendous distress into your life for weeks or months before the event occurs.

Triggers for Social Anxiety

Having periods of social anxiety or social phobia during certain situations is very common throughout the population. HelpGuide.org reports social anxiety disorder brings long-lasting significant emotional distress and requires professional intervention for successful recovery. Common triggers for social anxiety disorder  include:

• Being observed while working on something
• Making small talk
• Being called on in class
• Making a phone call
• Attending parties or social gatherings
• Meeting new people
• Having interpersonal relationships
• Taking an exam
• Using public bathrooms
• Public speaking
• Being teased or criticized (even as a joke)
• Being part of a group interaction or sharing activity

Three Main Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

The three main symptoms that are seen with social anxiety disorder are emotional, physical and behavioral based.

        Emotional Symptoms include:

• Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday normal social situations
• Intense worry for days, weeks, or even months before a social situation
• Extreme fear of being watched or judged by others, especially strangers
• Fear that you will embarrass or humiliate yourself

        Physical Symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:

• Exhibiting a red face, blushing, sweating or hot flashes
• Shortness of breath
• Upset stomach, nausea
• Trembling or shaking of body part or of voice
• Feelings of racing heart or chest tightness or pressure
• Feeling dizzy or faint

Behavioral symptoms commonly occurring:

• Avoiding social situations that limits your activities or disrupts your life
• Staying quiet in the background to escape notice and embarrassment
• Needing a buddy to go along with you no matter where you might be headed
• Drinking before social situations to soothe your nerves

Help is Available to Recover from Social Anxiety Disorder

Stop letting social anxiety run your life. Help is a phone call away.

Dr. Hege understands your fears and needs — evening private appointments and even video conferencing may be part of your treatment plan which may include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy and additional adjunct therapies.

While most people associate the term PTSD more closely with those seeing military action, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has affected over 30 million adults in the U.S. who have not experienced military service. Both men and women develop PTSD; however, women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with PTSD. Approximately 1 out of every 10 adult women will face PTSD.

What’s Normal and what’s PTSD

After living through a traumatic event, it is normal to display some of the symptoms of PTSD. It is not uncommon to feel numb, crazy, disconnected, fearful and distrustful. Bad dreams and inability to stop dwelling on the event is also normal. Depending on the impact of the traumatic situation, “PTSD symptoms” may last for a few days, weeks or even months however they slowly decrease over time – with PTSD you do not start to feel better – you start to feel worse.

PTSD Symptoms

PTSD can affect the victim, police officers, emergency medical personnel, neighbors, or family and friends of the victim. PTSD is experienced differently by everyone, however there are three main types of symptoms that are reported for PTSD:

Re-experiencing the traumatic event over and over in your mind

1. Flashbacks about event
2. Nightmares
3. Upsetting memories that impact your function and relationships
4. Intense distress or fear
5. Physical reactions such as pounding heart, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath

Avoiding reminders of the event and feeling numb

1. Loss of interest in normal routine, activities and life
2. Avoiding thoughts, feelings and places that remind you of the traumatic event
3. Poor to no ability to remember details of the situation
4. Feeling numb and detached from the world around you
5. Sense of impending doom or that something bad will happen

Increased anxiety and emotional turmoil

1. Sleep problems
2. Feeling irritable or having outbursts of anger
3. Problems concentrating or focusing
4. Feeling on edge, jumpy, and tense
5. Feeling like you are constantly on “red alert” for doom and gloom

PTSD Psychiatric Treatment

Other common PTSD symptoms may also include depression, guilt, feeling all alone in the world, having physical aches and pains, having suicidal thoughts, developing a substance abuse habit, or feeling betrayed. PTSD may have common symptoms but each case is unique, requiring an experienced psychiatrist to develop a treatment plan for your own individual experiences and symptoms.

Atlanta PTSD Help

If you think you have PTSD seek help as soon as you can. There is help for overcoming PTSD and getting your life back to normal. Call the office for an appointment today.

Prescription drug addiction affects more than 15 million people in the U.S. The numbers of adult abuse of prescription drugs now far exceeds all of those that abuse cocaine, inhalants, heroin and hallucinogens combined.  The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 48 million have used prescription medication for non-medical purposes at some point in their lifetime; this number indicates that around 20% of the U.S. population have abused at least one of their prescription drugs.

Prescription Drugs and OTC Medications Commonly Abused

In recent years WebMD reports that studies of the reasons for doctor or ER visits show a dramatic increase in the abuse of prescription and OTC (over-the-counter) medications. Addiction drug treatment programs show just as sharp an increase in drug addiction admissions. The drugs most commonly abused are:

• Opioid Pain Relievers such as Vicodin, Opana, or OxyContin, codeine, morphine
• Stimulants used for ADHD such as Adderall, Concerta, or Ritalin
• Depressants for relieving anxiety or sleep disorders such as Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin

The OTC drugs that are most commonly abused are:

• Cough and cold OTC remedies that contain dextromethorphan

What is Prescription Drug Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic brain disease that typically has numerous periods of relapse into abuse. Abusing drugs, including prescription medication leads to actual changes in the function and structure of the adult brain.

Following the dosage and frequency of a prescription may become more and more difficult to follow, affecting self control and the ability to make good sound decisions. Visits to the ER or to multiple doctors for more medications is abuse and the intense impulses to take more drugs become more and more frequent.

There is Help for Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription and OTC medications are very effective when they are taken as ordered. Long term pain relief medication use however, such as with an opioid, can lead to drug abuse with both physical dependence and addiction. Professional help is crucial for a sound recovery.

An experienced psychiatrist and other medical professionals can help change the direction your prescription drug use is heading. Call the office for an 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.

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.

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.