Millions of Americans suffer from some level of depression and while some depressive episodes are brief, for those that suffer from long-term depression, the effects can be devastating on one’s day-to-day life. Fortunately, an experienced depression psychiatrist can help, even with treatment-resistant depression. Let’s take a look at types of depression, symptoms and the many treatment options available.
It’s not uncommon for anyone to feel low or blue once in a while, even for a few days or a week or more. This is quite common after the loss of a loved one or perhaps in the aftermath of a divorce or another traumatic event, such as losing your job. Of course, many physical factors can contribute to depression, such as suffering from chronic pain, managing life with a disease such as cancer or even having a baby. Reaching out to a trusted friend, a therapist or even a religious adviser can help during these times. However, when depression is constant and chronic and lasts for an extended period of time, it’s time to think about contacting a depression psychiatrist and finding treatment options that help you alleviate symptoms of depression or eliminate them altogether. It is often hard for people to seek help for depression, but just like with physical pain, mental pain is a sign that something is wrong. As a depression psychiatrist, my philosophy is that psychiatric disorders are not a weakness, they are simply a biological disease that is often treatable. Symptoms Of Depression Again, most people have moments of sadness, loneliness and depression, but when depression lasts for several weeks or months, it is time to seek help. Here are a few symptoms you might notice that indicate you are clinically depressed:
If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. While not everyone with depression will attempt suicide or have suicidal thoughts, please know that if you are feeling suicidal, help is available at any time of day or night. What Causes Depression? Many factors can cause depression, and in some cases, a combination of factors occurs. For instance, there is thought to be a genetic component with depression, so if your parent, grandparent or other relatives are prone to depression, this could be one of the causes of your depression. For others, issues with brain chemistry might be an issue, such as lowered serotonin activity. Medical issues also can cause depression, and this can include conditions that cause chronic pain as well as diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others. Of course, many women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. In some cases, drug or alcohol abuse can cause depression, but there are also some types of prescribed medications that can cause depression. A life-altering event also can trigger depression, and this can be anything from a death in the family to a car accident or some other type of traumatic event or just simply suffering from loneliness and feelings of isolation can cause depression. Types Of Depression There are several types of depression, and a depression psychiatrist will do a thorough evaluation to determine which type of depression is occurring, as treatment plans can vary based upon the type of depression. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) – With MDD, a person will experience a combination of the depression symptoms listed above for at least two weeks that mark a change from the person’s previous or usual mood. The DSM-V, which is the classification system for mental disorders designed by the American Psychiatric Association, also states that for this diagnosis, these symptoms must be causing a significant amount of stress or reducing your ability to function. Perhaps your work suffers, or you have difficulty keeping your house clean or taking care of daily hygiene tasks. These symptoms also must be independent of other disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Additionally, the depression symptoms cannot be attributed to a medical condition or to drug or alcohol use. Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) – While MDD is a type of depression lasting at least two weeks (or more), those with PDD have chronic depression lasting at least two years for adults and one year for children and teens. The symptoms of PDD often are milder than MDD, but the chronic nature of this depression obviously lessens one’s quality of life substantially. Again, the depression symptoms must be independent of disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, medical conditions, etc. Postpartum Depression – While having a baby can be a wonderful event, a woman’s body goes through immense changes during pregnancy not to mention the huge changes that parenthood brings. Children are a blessing, but life does change signifcantly once they arrive, and it’s very common for women to experience depression and anxiety. In fact, most women (as many as 70%) will experience what is known as the “baby blues.” This is a short-term issue that often causes women to feel anxious, irritable and perhaps very emotional, including bouts of crying for no specific reason. The good news is that the baby blues typically doesn’t interfere with daily life tasks and tends to resolve fairly quickly. However, postpartum depression, also known as peripartum depression, is in a class by itself, so to speak. If you notice persistent feelings of depression, extreme sadness, anxiety or even feelings of indifference that last more than two weeks and prevent you from handling any normal activities, it’s important to seek help. It’s also important to note that fathers also can suffer from this form of depression. While they don’t go through the same physical changes as mothers, the extreme changes and financial obligations of fatherhood can be daunting. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) – While it’s not uncommon for women to experience mood changes as well as issues such as cramping, bloating, acne, headaches, etc. While this is certainly frustrating and uncomfortable, these issues rarely interfere with normal functioning at home, work or school. For those with PMDD, the changes tend to occur about a week prior to menstruation and can last the duration of your period and the symptoms are severe enough to disrupt daily functioning. Symptoms of PMDD include severe fatigue and depression, anxiety, confusion, anger, crying spells, severe moodiness and sometimes even paranoia. Many women with PMDD will experience headaches, dizziness, muscle spasms and heart palpitations. Nausea and vomiting are other common symptoms as well as swelling of the ankles, feet and hands. In some cases, those with PMDD might experience vision changes and frequent eye infections. These are just a few of the severe symptoms a person with PMDD might encounter. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – If you’ve ever had the winter blues for a few days, you are not alone. Many people tend to feel a bit down now and then during the winter, as there is less sunshine in our hemisphere. However, if you notice feelings of sadness, loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, oversleeping and the loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed for a period of several weeks, this could be SAD, especially if these symptoms interfere with daily functioning. With SAD, we might use some of the medications that are listed in the section below, but also light therapy and talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, have been shown to help lessen symptoms. With light therapy, the patient sits in front of a special light therapy box for about 20-30 minutes each day throughout the winter months. Co-Occurring Disorders As a depression psychiatrist, my job is not to simply diagnose depression, but also to look at the whole patient and determine all of the issues that you might be facing. For instance, it is not uncommon for people with depression to also suffer from anxiety. You might also suffer from addiction, OCD, PTSD or another mental health issue. Additionally, your depression could be caused by bipolar disorder or another mood disorder. A depression psychiatrist must consider all of the possible diagnoses before setting on a course of treatment. We also must consider your general physical health. Is your body vitamin-deficient? Do you have diabetes? Are you suffering from chronic pain? Simply treating depression is often not enough, we need to treat all of the issues you are facing to improve your quality of life. Depression Treatment Options Many people with depression are hesitant to ask for help, but this is simply a biological disease, and it can be treated. Seeking help for depression is no different than seeking medical help for any other condition such as asthma or a broken bone. It can, however, take some time to find the best treatment plan to fit your needs. Medications and therapy take time to work, so it’s important to have patience and keep taking medications and attending therapy as directed by your physician. There are many treatment options to consider, including: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) – This is often the first line of treatment for many types of depression, including MDD, PDD, postpartum depression, etc. These drugs tend to have fewer side effects and work for many people to lessen or eliminate symptoms of depression by boosting serotonin in your brain. Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) – These are similar to SSRIs, but they increase norepinephrine in the brain as well as serotonin. If you don’t respond well to SSRIs, your depression psychiatrist might try an SNRI instead. Ketamine – Some patients will suffer from what is known as treatment-resistant depression. While this obviously can be frustrating and discouraging, ketamine is a medication that has shown some success with treatment-resistant depression as well as anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine initially was used as an anesthetic, but interestingly, many EMTs and ER doctors would use it to calm agitated patients, especially those who had attempted suicide. While it did calm them initially, many of these patients would come back months later and state that they hadn’t felt suicidal or depressed since the ketamine treatment. Eventually, after much study, the FDA approved two types of ketamine as a treatment for depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine can be given either intravenously or as a nasal spray. After receiving the treatment, you need to wait at least two hours before heading home, and you will need to have someone drive you home as you might be drowsy. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) – This is a non-invasive treatment that typically is used for people with treatment-resistant depression. For TMS, we place an electromagnetic coil by your forehead, and a magnetic pulse is delivered to nerve cells in your brain. This process is entirely painless for the patient and has been shown to stimulate the areas of the brain that control our mood. Often if TMS is unsuccessful, we will consider ketamine as our next approach. Therapy – While medications certainly can be helpful, it is also wise to add some type of therapy to your treatment plan. Talking with a therapist or psychologist can help you work through problems and learn some tools to help you manage depression and anxiety. Some type of cognitive-behavioral therapy is usually always recommended in addition to medication. Keep in mind, that if you have a co-occurring disorder, we may need to consider additional medications and treatments for those specific disorders. For instance, if your depression is caused by bipolar disorder, we might need to try more than one medication or perhaps other types of medications than those discussed above. If you have depression caused by a physical medical condition, treating that condition can alleviate depression symptoms, so we might approach your depression treatment differently than for someone with MDD or PDD. In addition, it is always recommended that you eat a healthy diet, and you consider daily exercise as these steps can help lessen symptoms and improve your overall health. Some patients, such as those with low levels of vitamin B12, iron and other vitamins or minerals also might need to consider taking vitamin supplements. Contact A Depression Psychiatrist Today As a depression psychiatrist, I can provide you with a thorough diagnosis as well as helping you find a medication or treatment plan that helps alleviate your symptoms. This thorough diagnosis is a crucial first step and it can take more than one session to determine the diagnosis and create a treatment plan, but it’s best to find ways to address all of the issues you are facing to achieve long-term success. In addition to treating depression (including treatment-resistant depression), I also work as a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, ADHD psychiatrist, anxiety psychiatrist and can provide treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. While I have offices in Thousand Oaks, I also offer telepsychiatry services. Whether you live near my office or elsewhere in Southern California and beyond, I can provide you with quality virtual psychiatrist services. If you need a depression psychiatrist, don’t wait another day to give me a call. No one should have to suffer from depression and there is hope. We have many treatment options that can help you live a healthier, happier life and you deserve to live your life to the fullest.
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Every day, hundreds of people search the internet for a “psychologist near me” or a “psychiatrist near me,” but which type of doctor do you really need? There are some important differences between these two professionals that are important to understand.
The Role Of A Psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with an emphasis on treating mental health disorders. Psychiatrists treat mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder as well as behavior disorders or neurodevelopmental such as ADHD. Other issues a psychiatrist can treat include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, schizophrenia and even addiction. Because a psychiatrist is a medical doctor, they are able to prescribe medications, so much of their focus is on diagnosis and medication management, although they certainly might recommend a therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or alternative treatments for some conditions such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In many cases, you might end up with a treatment plan that includes medication and several types of therapy. While that “psychiatrist near me” can provide patients with diagnosis and medication, as well as recommending therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, the psychiatrist is not typically the person that will be sitting across from you every week or a few times each month for talk therapy or CBT sessions. Psychiatrists tend to focus on finding the proper treatment, rather than focusing on providing one-on-one therapy. The Role Of A Psychologist Though a psychologist is not a medical doctor, these professionals do have extensive training to help those with mental health disorders. They cannot prescribe medication, but they often can help with the diagnosis of issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and much more. Your psychologist might refer you to a psychiatrist if they believe that medication would be helpful, but they also will be able to provide many types of psychotherapy. Which Doctor Do You Need? I often am asked which professional is best – a psychiatrist or a psychologist? However, there’s rarely an “either/or” answer. In many cases, it is recommended that you seek out the services of both professionals. You might begin the journey with a psychiatrist and then branch out to use a psychologist to help you with cognitive behavior therapy, talk therapy or another type of therapy. Even if you don’t end up using any type of medication, it can be smart to talk with a psychiatrist at first because of their medical perspective. A psychiatrist will be interested in gaining a complete picture of health, and not just mental health. Medical conditions can make an impact on our mental health, so it is important to look at the whole patient and every condition that might be affecting them. Once we determine the best course of action, a psychologist or therapist can provide you with psychotherapy and your psychiatrist can help you with the medication management. In some cases, we might need to adjust the dosage or try another type of medication or medications before we find the best combination to suit your unique needs. This can take time, but the result should be a happier life where the symptoms of your mental health disorders are as well-managed as possible. Types of Psychotherapy Many types of therapy may be beneficial, and these often are utilized in conjunction with medication or in lieu of medication, depending on the patient’s needs. Here’s a quick look at a few psychotherapy options that can be helpful tools. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – This is a type of talk therapy that helps you redirect negative thinking to help you generate more positive results when faced with challenges. This is considered short-term therapy because it’s meant to provide patients with tools that they can use to help them manage difficult situations. For instance, for someone with a panic disorder or perhaps PTSD, this type of therapy helps identify triggers and also provides you with some self-calming techniques to help manage anxiety and panic. CBT also can provide you with tools to help overcome loss or even to cope with a chronic medical illness. CBT often is used for patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorders, phobias, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Again, sometimes medication also is used in conjunction with CBT. You would use a psychiatrist for the medication management, and a therapist or psychologist for the CBT. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – DBT is actually a type of CBT, and it is very effective for patients with borderline personality disorder as well as those with people who self-harm, such as cutting, and those with chronic suicidal thoughts. It also can be used for people with substance abuse issues and even PTSD. With DBT, the goal is to help those with very intense and uncontrollable emotions. Using DBT techniques, patients help regulate their thinking and also learn better ways to communicate with family, friends and others, as this is often a difficult issue, especially for those with borderline personality disorder. Psychodynamic Therapy – Back in the 60s and 70s, we often just called this analysis or psychoanalytic therapy. The goal here is to help change behavior by diving into a patient’s history to learn how past experiences (including traumas) may be affecting current behavior or thoughts. This can be helpful for some patients with depression and anxiety or those with a trauma in their past, but it is still wise to consider using tools that one gains through cognitive behavioral therapy as these help us get through challenging situations as they occur. Still, sometimes it can be a good idea to identify how our childhood events or traumatic events impact our current behavior and thoughts. Humanistic Therapy – This is a talk-based type of therapy and the goal with the humanistic approach is on the individual in the present. Rather than focusing on what caused a certain type of behavior, we focus more on how we can help a patient improve their sense of self. This can be used as a treatment for anxiety, depression, addiction and personality disorders, but, again, as with psychodynamic therapy, it can be smart to consider some type of CBT to provide you with concrete tools that can help you deal with fears, anxiety and interpersonal relationships in the moment. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – This is a body-oriented type of therapy that has proved very effective for the treatment of PTSD or any type of past trauma. EMDR also has been found to help with depression, anxiety and phobias. With EMDR, the theory is that some specific eye movements can reduce negative emotions associated with trauma, anxiety or depression. EMDR has eight phases as part of the treatment plan. The first phases include documenting a thorough history of the patient, providing the patient with self-control and self-soothing techniques and identifying the specific memories that trigger those negative emotions. This could be any past trauma including a traumatic accident, sexual assault, a death in the family, domestic violence, etc. During the next phases, patients will help desensitize the patient to these traumatic events using specific types of eye movements. The therapist also will help you replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. While this won’t erase the memory of the traumatic event, it helps you redirect your emotions into a more positive way of thinking so that those traumatic events no longer trigger exponential emotional responses, such as panic attacks or anxiety. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) – TMS can be an excellent option for treatment-resistant depression. If you’ve tried various medications and therapies with little success, TMS might be something to consider. It is FDA-approved, painless and noninvasive. It also can be beneficial for some patients with anxiety and PTSD. For this treatment, we place an electromagnetic coil near your forehead, and this delivers a magnetic pulse to nerve cells in the prefrontal cortex, which is the area of the brain that controls mood. By stimulating those nerves, this can help improve mood and ease some of the symptoms associated with depression. Medication & Mental Health Of course, in some cases, medication is an excellent treatment option. Typically, I would recommend combining medication with another type of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. While medication can help reduce symptoms and greatly improve life for many patients, learning how to respond to stressful situations and how to deal with unpleasant memories and emotions are valuable tools for all of us. Finding A Psychologist or Psychiatrist “Near Me” In many cases, you don’t really need to find a psychologist or psychiatrist “near me,” because we can provide many of these treatments using telepsychiatry. Throughout the pandemic, telepsychiatry has been our tool of choice, allowing both doctor and patient to remain socially distant while still receiving treatment. Visiting a virtual psychiatrist or online psychiatrist not only provides you with the same level of service as an in-person appointment, it also can be less stressful for patients. Additionally, it makes it far less necessary to find a “psychiatrist near me,” and allows you to broaden your scope and find the best possible doctor-patient match. If you do want that psychiatrist near me, I have offices in Thousand Oaks so if you’ve been looking for a psychiatrist in Thousand Oaks, a psychiatrist in Simi Valley or a psychiatrist in Westlake Village or perhaps Woodland Hills, but I also can provide telepsychiatry for patients throughout Southern California. I treat a wide range of mental health disorders including ADHD, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, as well as helping those with substance use disorders. As an experienced bipolar disorder psychiatrist, I am often asked how often does ADHD co-occur with bipolar disorder? While this is quite common, many disorders can co-occur with each other, and all of these issues need to be addressed in order for any treatment plan to be successful.
According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 3% of all adults in the United States have some type of bipolar disorder so this mood disorder is much more prevalent than you might think. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is even more common, and it is estimated that about 5% of adults have this disorder and perhaps as many as 9% to 10% of children may have ADHD. But, how often does ADHD co-occur with bipolar disorder? This question is difficult to answer definitively, but one thing I’ve found is that many of the symptoms of each disorder are quite similar. As a psychiatrist, my goal is to discover if a patient has bipolar disorder or ADHD or a combination of the two, which certainly could be the case. Both ADHD and bipolar disorder often include symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, hyperactivity, increased energy and impulsivity, but there are some key differences. For instance, with bipolar disorder, a person will experience severe mood swings, ranging from elation to extreme depression and these mood swings can last for days or weeks. People with ADHD may be quick to anger, but these mood changes tend to be more appropriate to the situation and they have less difficulty calming themselves than a person with bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder also might actively seek out problems and dangerous situations that might cause them to act out in anger or express rage. With ADHD, these are isolated moments of strong emotion usually reacting to a specific situation rather than episodes of mania or depression that last for a long time and have no identifiable trigger. Additionally, with both ADHD and bipolar disorder, you might see symptoms such as distractibility or inattention. With ADHD, these are symptoms that tend to always be present, while a person with bipolar disorder might only experience these issues during a manic phase. Likewise, both disorders can cause sleep-related issues. With ADHD, a person might be experience discomfort and fatigue due to sleep deprivation. With bipolar disorder, there also might be a lack of sleep during a manic phase, but without fatigue or a lack of energy accompanying this sleep deprivation. While these conditions have many similarities and differences, it is not uncommon for a person to experience both disorders concurrently. Some studies have shown that more than 60% of people with bipolar disorder also have ADHD. Because of this comorbidity, it’s not uncommon for a doctor to miss one of these diagnoses. A proper complete diagnosis is crucial for treatment to be effective. With bipolar disorder, medication is a common treatment option and while many people with ADHD often take medication, as well, we tend to use different medications to treat ADHD than we would for bipolar disorder. Additionally, both patients benefit from other types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and other strategies. Additional Co-Occurring Disorders When we talk about how often ADHD co-occurs with bipolar disorder, we often forget that many other disorders also can be present. For instance, many people with ADHD or bipolar disorder also have an anxiety disorder or depression. A substance use disorder also can be a common co-occurring disorder with either ADHD or bipolar disorder. Additional co-occurring disorders might include obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder or even an eating disorder or body dysmorphia. It also is important to take into consideration other possible physical diseases that may have an impact on treatment for mental health disorders. For instance, if a person has diabetes, stabilizing insulin levels could have a positive effect on lessening some of the symptoms of a mood disorder. Psychiatrists should, and must, in my opinion, take the time to truly assess each patient’s physical and mental issues. As an example, if a patient came to you with bipolar disorder, a substance use disorder and suffered from chronic pain, you need to address all three, including the chronic pain, as this can be a reason why people turn to alcohol and drugs and chronic pain has a distinct impact on our mental health. Finding A Diagnosis The first step to finding a diagnosis is a thorough evaluation and for this, you will need to start with a bipolar disorder psychiatrist or ADHD psychiatrist, although most will treat both conditions. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor that specializes in mental health disorders. Not only is a psychiatrist the only mental health professional able to prescribe medication, but they also have the medical expertise necessary to look at all physical and mental issues and arrive at a complete diagnosis. Once we’ve arrived at the diagnosis, the next step is to create a treatment plan, and this often includes medication, but it also typically includes different types of therapy. Psychiatrists don’t typically provide this therapy and you will need to find a therapist or psychologist to help you with this portion of your treatment. Achieving Long-Term Success In addition to working with a psychiatrist and therapist/psychologist, I do have some additional advice for those seeking treatment for bipolar disorder, ADHD and other co-occurring disorders. These include: 1. Have Patience It takes time to identify the treatment options and the best medications as well as the ideal dosage. It takes time for medications to work in general, but we often start with a low dose and alter the dose after a few weeks or months. There’s no magic cure that will delete all of your symptoms overnight, so you need to be committed to taking your medication and attending therapy sessions and understand that it takes time to find the best fit for your needs. In some cases, such as with substance-use disorders, we might need to address that issue first and then work toward a solution for the co-occurring mental health disorders. While it takes time, in the end, you can live a much happier, healthier and more fulfilling life, which is always our goal. 2. Avoid Online “Experts” While it can be very helpful to learn all you can about bipolar disorder and ADHD, the internet is full of misinformation. There are hundreds of so-called psychiatric “experts” on social media sites such as YouTube, Reddit, Tik Tok and other sites that will tell you all about bipolar disorder or ADHD and how to “diagnose yourself” or promise all-natural cures. While there is helpful information out there, too often, these postings are filled with half-truths and not with the information that you need. It’s also important to keep in mind that what works for one person might not work for another. Head to any message board about a specific drug and you’ll find 100 people who it helped and another 100 who it did not help. Every human is unique and needs an individualized treatment plan to ensure the best results. When you look for information on the internet, search for sources that include people with degrees in psychiatry and psychology and scientists that have studied ADHD and bipolar disorder in-depth as well as pharmacology. Look for long-standing publications with solid reputations for accuracy. 3. Take Care Of Yourself Medication and therapy are helpful, but they aren’t the only steps that you can take to alleviate the symptoms of bipolar disorder or ADHD. With both of these issues, some studies show that sticking with a healthy diet and a daily exercise routine can be very helpful. Some people often find that activities such as meditation can be beneficial. It can be smart to create a manageable daily schedule for yourself that includes planning healthy meals, time for exercise and maybe some time spent outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. Create a nightly routine to help yourself relax and more easily transition into sleep. A structured daily plan can make it easier to achieve stability and lower stress levels. For those who need psychiatric help, I specialize in the treatment of bipolar disorder, ADHD and other co-occurring disorders. While I have offices in Thousand Oaks, I also offer telepsychiatry services throughout Southern California, so we can meet securely and virtually from just about anywhere. In fact, many people prefer using the services of an online psychiatrist because you can relax in the privacy of your own home. If you have been wondering how often does ADHD co-occur with bipolar disorder or another psychiatric disorder, I hope this blog has helped you understand a bit about co-occurring disorders and treatment options. If you are suffering from any psychiatric disorder, please give me a call and let’s find a treatment plan that works for you. When we conduct an internet search, we often use the variable “near me” to find restaurants, shops, plumbers, electricians and so forth. Many people often search for a bipolar psychiatrist near me or a psychiatrist near me. However, these days, with telepsychiatry, the location of your doctor’s office is not as important as it has been in the past.
What Is Telepsychiatry? Telepsychiatry or telemedicine is simply providing health care services using technology and it’s become more and more popular as the years have passed, especially during the pandemic when it became a necessity to ensure public health. But telemedicine isn’t as new as you might think. In 1959, the University of Nebraska established a two-way television to provide instruction to students and within a few years, this system was used for video consults from the university to state hospitals. In fact, the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute linked with the Norfolk State Hospital to provide psych evaluations via television. NASA also had a huge impact on the development of telemedicine in the United States and abroad. The NASA program began out of necessity, as a way to provide health care to astronauts while they were in space. Eventually, however, NASA expanded their telemedicine efforts to help people in rural areas, particularly on Native American lands, gain better access to health care and even in areas such as Armenia, after a catastrophic earthquake. While telemedicine isn’t new, it’s taken off during the pandemic and many people prefer telepsychiatry to traditional in-person doctor visits. There are several reasons for this, including. 1. Telepsychiatry Can Be Less Stressful My offices are based in Thousand Oaks, just north of Los Angeles, and we are famous for our traffic. Driving around LA freeways can be stressful, to say the least, and with telepsychiatry, you don’t have to leave your home and worry that you won’t make an appointment on time due to an unexpected accident or roadwork. Many people also feel more comfortable meeting with an online psychiatrist in the privacy of their home. They can find a cozy, comfortable spot, grab a cup of tea and feel secure in their home. Many of my patients say this is a huge reason why they enjoy telepsychiatry. 2. Telepsychiatry Is Convenient Telepsychiatry only requires an internet connection to work, so you can meet with your doctor from just about anywhere on earth. This makes it easier to schedule appointments, even if you are out of town. It also reduces the time needed for appointments because you won’t have to drive back and forth from the doctor’s office. This tends to make it easier to schedule appointments around work commitments, school and other obligations. 3. You Can Pick The Best Doctor For You In the past, if you needed a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, you were pretty much limited to finding that “bipolar psychiatrist near me,” and that doesn’t always provide you with the best match for your needs. With telepsychiatry, you can find a doctor that matches your needs and one with whom you feel in sync, even if you live in another county or state. Treating Bipolar Disorder Treating bipolar disorder is one of my areas of specialization, but I also treat co-occurring disorders that often accompany bipolar disorder. To provide you with effective treatment, we must properly diagnose all of the issues you face and come up with a plan that not only treats bipolar disorder but any other disorder you might have. There are many co-occurring disorders common with people who have bipolar disorder. For instance, you might also have an anxiety disorder or perhaps ADHD. Many people with bipolar disorder also have substance use disorders, such as alcohol addiction or drug addiction. Additionally, there may be physical ailments that need to be addressed or perhaps eating disorders. While the presence of a co-occurring disorder can make it more challenging to find a proper treatment, it is by no means impossible to find solutions for bipolar disorder as well as other mental health disorders you might have. The first step is to come up with a comprehensive diagnosis that truly gets to the bottom of what’s going on with you. In many cases, it often seems like psychiatrists rush this process, but my philosophy is that diagnosis and treatment planning takes time. It’s not something we can solve in a single appointment. I usually spend several sessions with a patient before planning out treatment. This provides us with time to look at all of the issues you face and find a plan that can help you manage it all. Treatment often includes medication, and this is another reason why a proper diagnosis is so important. A medication that might work for one type of mental health issue might not be the best fit for another disorder. We also want to come up with additional aids such as cognitive behavioral therapy and even changing your dietary habits and adding exercise or meditation to your daily schedule to help reduce stress and keep your body as physically healthy as possible. In the end, I provide the diagnosis and treatment plan, including medication if needed. But we also will find additional resources for you, such as a good therapist, psychologist or even a support group, depending on your needs. And I can help with all of this online using a HIPAA-secure telepsychiatry platform. The most important fact I can leave you with is that bipolar disorder can be treated and there is hope. Our philosophy is that psychiatric disorders are not a weakness. They are a biological disease that is often treatable. But rather than searching for a “bipolar psychiatrist near me,” I highly recommend that you consider telepsychiatry instead. This can open up your options and result in better treatment for your bipolar disorder and any co-occurring disorders you might have. Take a look around my website to see if my philosophy seems to match what you need and then give my office a call to set up a consultation. Bipolar disorder is a complicated disease and while it can be difficult to treat, it is by no means impossible to find a psychiatrist and find a treatment plan that alleviates the symptoms of this disease and allows you to live a better life. As a psychiatrist, bipolar disorder is something I have treated for many years, and I have helped many patients successfully combat this disease.
There are several types of bipolar disorder, all of which cause severe disruptions in mood and energy. Most patients experience periods of mania as well as periods of deep depression. During some severe manic episodes, it is not uncommon for patients to engage in risky behaviors, while during depressive episodes, patients often have little to no energy, have difficulty sleeping, experience deep sadness and often have suicidal thoughts. Most people, in general, have some disruptions in their mood. We might feel sad or irritated or even a bit manic, but these disruptions usually resolve quickly. With bipolar disorder, these periods of mania and depression can last for days or weeks, greatly disrupting a person’s daily life. The most common type of bipolar disorder is known as Bipolar I. In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar I, the patient must have experienced at least one severe manic event or period lasting at least one week. Typically, during this severe manic episode, the patient has little need for sleep, racing thoughts, faster speech, an increase in activity and an increase in risky behavior, such as driving too fast, engaging in unprotected sex, etc. People with Bipolar I also will experience hypomanic episodes, which are periods with less severe mania that don’t necessarily interfere with daily life. Additionally, with Bipolar I, a patient will have experienced at least one major depressive episode lasting for at least two weeks. Bipolar II is another type of bipolar disorder that is less severe than Bipolar I. With this type of bipolar disorder, the patient will experience hypomania, but not the severe manic episodes that people with Bipolar I experience. However, those with Bipolar II, typically will experience a major depressive episode. Cyclothymic disorder is a third type of bipolar disorder, and people with this disorder will experience frequent mood swings from hypomania to depression, but the symptoms are not as severe as with Bipolar I or Bipolar 2. No matter which type of this disease you might have, a psychiatrist for bipolar disorder can help. What Causes Bipolar Disorder? We don’t really know what causes bipolar disorder, but we do know that there is a genetic component. If your parent or a sibling or even a grandparent has or had bipolar disorder, you may be at a higher risk for developing this disease. More research is needed, but some research also does indicate that people with bipolar disorder may have a different brain structure than those who do not have this disease. Many people with bipolar disorder often have co-occurring disorders, such as an anxiety disorder or depression. Drug and alcohol addiction also are common in people with bipolar disorder. While the symptoms of bipolar disorder are scary, as are the symptoms of the co-occurring disorders, the good news is that bipolar disorder (and co-occurring disorders) can be treated by a psychiatrist and other mental health professionals. Why Do You Need A Psychiatrist For Bipolar Disorder? While a therapist, counselor or psychologist can provide useful services for people with bipolar disorder or any other type of mental illness, a psychiatrist is the only one of these professionals that can provide you with any medication that you might need. Medication often is one of the most helpful tools we use to alleviate the symptoms of bipolar disorder. There are several medications authorized for use with bipolar disorder, and while these can be effective, it’s important that patients understand that the medication does not solve all of the problems overnight. Not only does it take time for the medication to work, but it also can take time to find the ideal dosage. With any type of therapy or medication, patience is crucial, although I certainly understand the frustration you feel dealing with bipolar disorder on a day-to-day basis. Still, we will be working toward a solution, and using the services of a bipolar disorder psychiatrist can be your best first step. I begin the process with a careful evaluation of each patient. This isn’t simply a 30-minute visit, this is a multi-session evaluation where I dig deep to ensure that we make the correct diagnosis and come up with a workable recovery plan. Too often, psychiatrists rush this process and don’t address all of the issues their patient is facing. As stated above, people with bipolar disorder often have co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety or perhaps an eating disorder. Additionally, there may be medical conditions that need to be addressed, and as a medical doctor that specializes in mental illnesses, I have the unique ability to study the whole person and find solutions that address both mental and physical issues. While I can provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan, as well as writing prescriptions for medications, I do recommend that you work with a psychologist or therapist, as well. Cognitive behavioral therapy and other types of therapy should be part of your treatment plan, and these professionals can provide you with the therapy you need to live a happier life. How To Find A Psychiatrist For Bipolar Disorder Finding professional help can be tricky. Not only do you need to find a competent psychiatrist that specializes in treating bipolar disorder, but this needs to be someone with whom you feel comfortable and secure. In the past, most people have been restricted to using a local psychiatrist in their general geographic location, but with telepsychiatry, you should have a much easier time finding someone who is a good match for you. During the pandemic, telepsychiatry became a necessity as did telemedicine, but many patients love the convenience of using an online psychiatrist. You can stay comfortable in your home, and you don’t have to deal with the stress of driving or traffic. Telepsychiatry saves time and it allows you to access help from anywhere you have an internet connection. You don’t have to miss an appointment if you are on a work trip or away for vacation. Additionally, telepsychiatry allows you to find a psychiatrist that matches your needs and personality. You don’t have to find that elusive “bipolar psychiatrist near me,” so whether you’ve been looking for a psychiatrist in Los Angeles, or perhaps San Diego, or even a psychiatrist in Thousand Oaks (my neck of the woods), finding an online psychiatrist might be the best option. I can meet with patients from anywhere in the country using a secure online video conference platform. It is similar to Skype, but Skype is a consumer-grade conferencing platform and telemedicine must be done over a HIPAA-secure platform to protect a person’s privacy. How do you find the right online psychiatrist? Bipolar disorder is a complicated disease, so you will need to find someone who specializes in treating bipolar disorder. In my practice, I treat all types of bipolar disorder, as well as depression, anxiety, ADHD and even drug abuse and alcoholism. You also need to find a bipolar disorder psychiatrist with a philosophy that matches your needs. In my opinion, doctors often rush the diagnostic and evaluation process, which is crucial if we are searching for a long-term solution for bipolar disorder. As I tell my patients, psychiatric disorders are not a weakness. They are a biological disease that is often treatable. It takes time to evaluate a patient and it takes time to create the ideal treatment plan. Once we create that plan and move forward, you should see a huge, positive change in your life. We can treat bipolar disorder, and you can live a happier, less stressful life. There is always hope, and we can find a solution for bipolar disorder and any other mental health issues you face. If you need to find a psychiatrist for bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, ADHD or other mental health issues, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I offer both in-person and telepsychiatry appointments. Take a moment to read some of the information on my website to gauge whether or not my approach seems to fit your needs. Mental illness can be treated, there is hope, and you deserve to live a better life, so get started on the road to treatment today. Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging to say the least and many people mistakenly believe that there isn’t a quality treatment for this condition. However, a good bipolar disorder psychiatrist can help, and successful treatment is possible. However, before you contact a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, read the following facts.
1. Bipolar Disorder Is Treatable Most of my patients have tried various treatments for bipolar disorder with limited success, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a treatment that can work for you. Too often, doctors use a one-size-fits-all approach to treating bipolar disorder, but what works with one person might not work with another. A good bipolar disorder psychiatrist dives deep to understand the whole person. For instance, our patient might have additional mental health disorders or physical issues that also need to be addressed. A psychiatrist is both a mental health professional and a medical doctor and we have a unique ability to study each patient from both a mental and physical perspective. In order for bipolar disorder treatment to be successful, we also need to address any other co-occurring disorders or medical issues. 2. Take Some Notes Before you contact a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, it can be helpful to take some notes about how you feel each day. These notes should include your moods, what you ate or drank, what medications you took and your sleep patterns. It’s often difficult during that initial consultation to remember all of the details about your life, so writing it all down can help your bipolar psychiatrist come up with the best diagnosis and the best treatment options. It also is smart to continue this notetaking after we begin treatment. Write down your moods, any side effects from medication, how you slept, comments about your appetite, etc. This can help us gauge how the medication is working and if we need to adjust the dose or perhaps try a different type of medication. 3. Patients Need To Have Patience So often, I find that a patient will try out a new medication or perhaps cognitive behavioral therapy for a week or two, and then when they don’t see instant results, they become frustrated and stop the treatments. Medication can be an excellent tool to help patients control symptoms of bipolar disorder, but these medications do not work overnight. It takes several weeks, sometimes even a few months, to discover the ideal medication and the ideal dosage of that medication. I know that you are frustrated living with bipolar disorder, but if we are to find a truly effective treatment plan, it’s important to be as patient as possible while we work with medication and other types of treatment. It's important to understand that it takes time for the medication to work, and these medications do sometimes have unpleasant side effects. Usually, the side effects will dissipate after a few weeks, but it’s important to understand that some side effects are normal (albeit unpleasant), and others are more serious. We will discuss all of this in-depth when we talk about your treatment options. 4. Research Is Important There are many bipolar disorder psychiatrists out there, but, as you probably have discovered yourself, they aren’t all a perfect match for you. Before you contact a psychiatrist and make an appointment, learn a bit about them to decide if they are a good fit for your needs and personality. Most of us have websites that discuss our philosophy and how we treat patients. From my perspective, the initial consultation is crucial and if a psychiatrist only spends 30 minutes with you and just writes you a prescription, this is a red flag. Typically, my consultations involve several sessions where we dive deep to explore all of your symptoms as well as talking about your physical health. In some cases, we might want to consult with your personal physician and complete bloodwork and other tests to ensure that we find treatment plans that address all of your issues. Multiple consultation sessions also are necessary to ensure that we reach the correct diagnosis. There are a few different types of bipolar disorder, and these require different treatment plans. Additionally, you may have a disorder other than bipolar disorder, or you might have co-occurring disorders. It can be tricky to find the best psychiatrist to fit your needs, but I recommend that if you feel uncomfortable with a doctor and you don’t feel as though your doctor is truly listening to you and doing all they can to address your issues, find another psychiatrist. 5. You Don’t Need To Find A “Psychiatrist Near Me” Many people will do an internet search for a “psychiatrist near me,” when they begin looking for a doctor, however with telepsychiatry, you can find a great psychiatrist without ever even leaving your home. Telepsychiatry makes it easier than ever to find a bipolar disorder psychiatrist that fits your needs. A virtual psychiatrist visit can be just as impactful as an in-person appointment. Obviously, telepsychiatry became necessary during the pandemic, but many patients prefer this option to a face-to-face meeting. It is often more comfortable and comforting to stay in your home for our sessions and it saves you the time and hassle and stress of driving to a doctor’s office. Additionally, if you need to be out of town, we can still meet from just about anywhere on the planet with internet access. For telepsychiatry sessions, an online psychiatrist uses a HIPAA-compliant secure video conferencing platform to protect your privacy and we can handle many general psychiatric services via telepsychiatry. This includes assessment, diagnosis and medication management. I love telepsychiatry because it provides flexibility for my clients in the Los Angeles area (driving in LA traffic can be stressful, to say the least), but it also allows me to expand my services to just about anywhere in the country. Whether you need a psychiatrist in San Diego or a psychiatrist in Charlotte, NC, with telemedicine, I can help. Telepsychiatry also is a huge help for patients that live in rural or remote areas as driving to a doctor could take several hours. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the past and just never found the treatments to be successful or you suspect that you have bipolar disorder and need help, I highly recommend that you contact a bipolar disorder psychiatrist as soon as possible. With proper treatment, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can be reduced and managed. I understand how frightening, exhausting and frustrating it can be to deal with bipolar disorder, but with patience and perseverance, this disease can be managed. As a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, I can provide you with a solid diagnosis and treatment plan that can help you live a better, happier and more fulfilling life. Give me a call today and we can set up an appointment in person or online. |
AuthorDr Jesalva is a psychiatrist. He is in private practice in Thousand Oaks, CA since 1989. He successfully treats very challenging patients with varying co-occurring disorders with medications. Archives
March 2024
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