New Study Shows Children May Be Misdiagnosed With ADHD

Diagnoses of ADHD has significantly increased over the last decade, spurring speculation about whether or not these children have been  misdiagnosed. The signs for trauma are so similar to ADHD that it can be difficult determining the difference, without proper therapy or counseling. Read more about this new study below...

The children with ADHD were also more likely to have experienced a greater number of adverse events. Seventeen percent of children with ADHD had experienced four or more ACEs, as opposed to 6 percent of children without ADHD. The children who had dealt with four or more ACEs were almost three times are likely to be using an ADHD medication as children with three or fewer ACEs, and their parents rated their ADHD as being more severe.

— Read More At Healthline.com

If you or someone you care about suffers from the symptoms related to trauma and abuse, call and speak with one of our therapists. These disorders will not remit on their own. You do not need to continue to live with the continued consequences of trauma and abuse. Treatment for these disorders is highly effective and can be life-altering. Please call today!

ICU Patients Experience PTSD, According To Research

 Research has shown that patients who stay in ICU for an extended period of time have the same occurrence of P.T.S.D. as trauma patients. Patients who have been on mechanical ventilation or any other traumatizing ICU experiences are often likelier to experience P.T.S.D. Read more about this study below...

"At different institutions, PTSD appears to be a substantial issue for a number of ICU patients," Wunsch, a co-moderator of the poster discussion session, told MedPage Today. "There are a lot of people looking at what we can do about this. There are questions about or sedation strategies, the role of families, things like the use of ICU-diaries, providing for appropriate follow-up so these patients can get help and their condition does not go unrecognized in the continuum of care both in and after ICU."

— Read More At Medpagetoday.com

If you or someone you care about suffers from the symptoms related to trauma and abuse, call and speak with one of our therapists. These disorders will not remit on their own. You do not need to continue to live with the continued consequences of trauma and abuse. Treatment for these disorders is highly effective and can be life-altering. Please call today!

Inner City Youth Suffer P.T.S.D.

A new report is stating that children who live in the inner city who are victims or witnesses of violence suffer P.T.S.D. The rationale for this thinking is that these children are never able to leave their combat zone, there is no escape. There is so much crime that is being witnessed first hand that it can seem impossible to ever recover. Read more about this below...

“Youth living in inner cities show a higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder than soldiers,” according to Howard Spivak M.D., director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Violence Prevention.

— Read More At CBSlocal.com

One Soldier's P.T.S.D. Experience

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be treated with extensive therapy and extensive support systems, but it is something that does not go away. This is often the case with veterans, as many situations prompt flashbacks or unwanted recollections. Below is one soldier's story of how he took control of his P.T.S.D.

Working with his family and mental-health professionals, “we are winning,” he writes. “PTSD can’t attack me anymore without getting more than it gives. Soon I hope to be ale to venture down into those dark corners of my mind on purpose. Armed with the tools treatment has given me and flanked by my allies, I will seek out my enemies and drive them away.

— Read More At Nola.com

If you or someone you care about suffers from the symptoms related to trauma and abuse, call and speak with one of our therapists. These disorders will not remit on their own. You do not need to continue to live with the continued consequences of trauma and abuse. Treatment for these disorders is highly effective and can be life-altering. Please call today!

P.T.S.D. Hits Home

 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be caused by any type of traumatic event in a person's life that affects them in a life-altering manner. It can be an event that may seem trivial to those surrounding the person, but they have no idea what exactly happened or how damaging the event was. The following piece is about a mother who is has P.T.S.D. because of her daughter's murder, and is not upset with her son-in-law who murdered her.

A few weeks before the murder-suicide, Williams visited the couple in Tennessee. They were planning to divorce but Williams described their encounter as amicable adding she saw no warning signs.“There was no evidence of anything, not a violent guy, not fighting with people not getting into trouble,” Williams explained.

Read More At WNDU.com





If you or someone you care about suffers from the symptoms related to trauma and abuse, call and speak
with one of our therapists. These disorders will not remit on their own. You do not need to continue to live
with the continued consequences of trauma and abuse. Treatment for these disorders is highly effective
and can be life-altering. Please call today!

How Well Do You Understand Anxiety?

 Many people use the term anxiety loosely, in every day conversations without realizing the impact of such a word. The fact is that anxiety is genuine condition that can prevent someone from functioning. Dealing with stress and a certain level of anxiety is almost natural in today’s fast-paced world, but when can you determine that your condition is chronic? How can you tell that it is time to consult a therapist?
 Some people who experience chronic anxiety have the following symptoms:
- Memory loss or poor memory
 - Excessive sweating
 - Hyperventilating or shortness of breath
 - Difficulty digesting food
- Inability to focus
 - Constant worry
  There are different types of anxiety disorders, but the most commonly diagnosed is Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This condition is accompanied by constant and often irrational worry. Physical signs include twitching, tense muscles, headaches and hot flashes. If you are experiencing some or all of these symptoms, contact a trusted therapist or counselor today. There are non-medical ways to handle stress and anxiety, and one of those ways is talking out your concerns with someone who doesn't see you every day.
  Panic disorders are not mutually exclusive with anxiety conditions, but they often accompany symptoms. Being in social settings can trigger panic attacks, and people who suffer them usually avoid being in large groups or going places with unfamiliar crowds.
  You do not have to live a restricted life confined to fear, worry, or your residence. Individuals with anxiety disorders can lead productive, fulfilling lives. As an individual who lived with anxiety disorders for over three decades before seeking treatment, and as a therapist who knows how to treat these disorders, I can attest to the ability of any individual to be able to successfully overcome this needless suffering. If you think you have an anxiety disorder, contact us for help today.

Recognizing Bipolar Symptoms

Dealing with a loved one who suffers bipolar disorder can be challenging and heart-breaking. If you have never experienced the symptoms yourself or seen it firsthand, it could seem as though a bipolar individual is just moody or manic. A person suffering from bipolar disorder often experiences brief drastic changes in behavior, and this can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. Read below for more on how to distinguish symptoms of bipolar disorder...

Once you figure out a method that works for you, try to notice how you respond emotionally, she said. “For instance, do your feelings flow from one to another in a rapid fashion? Do you experience one big emotion that overwhelms you for a long time? If you look in the mirror, does your facial expression reveal what you’re feeling?” Write down what you learn.

— Read More At Psychcentral.com

How To Move On After Betrayal

When a partner cheats, the natural reaction is to feel shame or embarrassment, even when you are the victim of betrayal. Admitting that there was something so fundamentally wrong in your marriage that cheating became an option is more often than not a cause for humiliation. Read below for an article that explores how to recover from betrayal in your marriage.

We go over in our mind past intimate moments and wonder what he or she was thinking. We recall clues and doubt that we dismissed, and wonder what we were thinking. When the truth finally comes out, along with the pain is a sense of relief, because it validates what we intuitively suspected. But then we wonder if he or she loved me all those years — was it all fake? Was I in love with a fraud? We can begin to distrust our judgment in the future. Can I trust or “love” again? Can I trust another man or woman?

— Read More At Psychcentral.com

New Study Shows Genetic Marker In OCD Diagnosis

A recent study has shown that a genetic marker is linked to OCD, and this comes as good news for early detection. This study also gives hope for treatment, if someone has the marker they can attend therapy at an earlier age. Read more about the study below...

The scientists conducted what is known as a genome-wide association study, in which they scanned the genomes of more than 1,400 people with OCD and more than 1,000 close relatives of individuals with OCD. A strong link was identified in OCD patients near a gene called protein tyrosine phosphokinase (PTPRD).

— Read More At Psychcentral.com

How To Cope With Complicated Grief

Dealing with grief is a process that differs person to person; and there is no right or wrong way to deal. It is said that going through stages will make a difference in the way a person gets over grief, but sometimes this doesn't work either. What is complicated grief? The following article goes into detail about complicated grief and ways to deal with it.

It is important to mention however, that research on complicated grief is ongoing. Many believe that standard diagnosis is needed to research some of the symptoms of complicated grief. I believe that it is more important to provide comfort and support to the mourner rather than to introduce another diagnostic category. More research however is needed to make a proper diagnosis.

— Read More At Psychcentral.com

Why You Should Consider Marriage Counseling

Beginning marriage counseling is a major step in a relationship, and it should be approached seriously and cautiously. If you or your partner have questions prior to entering treatment, you should do your best to have those questions beforehand. Here is an article highlighting the three reasons to consider marriage counseling today.

Usually, the challenges couples face are the result of just a few patterns between them. In this first stage, your therapist will help you recognize the negative patterns just underneath the surface and the different ways they manifest in your relationship.

— Read More At Psychcentral.com

How To Tell That You Need Couples Counseling

How can you tell that you need couples counseling? There may be signs that you are unaware of, mainly because you are not ready to tackle the problem. Read the article below for signs that you may need couples counseling.

Researchers at Brigham Young University have found the more men text, the less happy they are with their relationship. The thought is dissatisfied men prefer the more detached digital approach over direct confrontation. In contrast, women associate more pings with stability. "Women use texting as an additional way to reach out, while men actually may use texting to stay avoidant," explains researcher and family therapist Lori Schade.

— Oprah.com

Ways To Recognize Depression In 20-Somethings

Those who suffer from depression understand how debilitating it can be, and how often it can prevent you from completing simple tasks. Being in your 20s and dealing with depression can be confusing, because there are so many outside stresses to deal with every day. How do you tell if you are experiencing regular stress or if you are in fact dealing with depression? The article below will help you detect the signs of depression when you are in your 20s.

A lack of enjoyment. Losing interest in once-pleasurable activities is a telltale sign of depression, Goldman said. People in their 20s might still go out with friends, but they may not enjoy themselves or have fun. Or they may isolate themselves and be less sociable, withdrawing from their peers and spending more time alone.

— Read More At Huffington Post

Addiction Therapy Can Reduce Family Friction

Any kind of addiction can cause stress to a family, especially when the person refuses treatment. Studies have shown that marriages that include an alcoholic have higher rates of divorce. Being in a recovery program and with the help of a certified addiction therapist, families can actually become closer. The following is an account from someone currently in addiction therapy; and this man goes into detail about a study that shows how addiction therapy affects families.

Surprisingly, the study’s authors write that, “Improvement following treatment appeared to be present for the entire treatment sample, rather than limited only to treatment responders who achieve full-scale remission.” Even in families whose fathers relapsed, conflict stayed low at the one-year mark. It was as if the process of treatment had a stabilizing effect on the family even if the father relapsed.

— Read More At Psychcentral.com

Mental Health Awareness Week

It is Mental Health Awareness week, so now is the time to do some research and join the cause. Mental illness that is left untreated can be fatal in some cases. Here is a brief article about Mental Health Awareness week...

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in nearly every country in the world and, while a low level of anxiety can be a useful motivating force, in some cases it can take over your life. That's why we're raising awareness of anxiety and how to live with the condition this Mental Health Awareness Week.

— See More At Mentalhealth.org

Mental Illness Epidemic

 Because it is mental health week, it seems fitting to discuss the toll mental illness is taking on our country. The amount of people who are undiagnosed or untreated for mental illness is staggering, and this epidemic is the reason why so many are in jail or homeless. Read the following article for more on this problem...

Nearly 40% of adults with "severe" mental illness — such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder — received no treatment in the previous year, according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Among adults with any mental illness, 60% were untreated.

Read More At USAToday

Affair And Divorce Recovery Can Help Save Your Marriage

What is Affair Recovery? Can a marriage survive an affair, even if it is just an "emotional" affair? Many marriages have survived affairs and many other life interruptions by simply moving on, refusing to discuss the situation. Some try therapy but get nowhere fast because the betrayed spouse can not let go of anger and resentment.
  The first step is to commit to honesty in this situation, because without honesty it is impossible to restore trust. The unfaithful spouse may feel that they only deserve blame, but it is imperative to explore why the affair occurred, and to use this experience as a building block when trying to restore your relationship. Even though it may feel natural, try to refrain from accusatory statements and negative projections. Contact a certified marriage counselor to ensure that you are discussing your feelings in a safe environment.
 Important things to consider during affair/divorce recovery:
 - Take immediate action when seeking therapy; studies show those who wait have a much higher likelihood of divorce
 - Infidelity can cause shock to both partners, so it is important to refrain from any major life changes during this time
 - Many couples find that their relationship is stronger than they thought imaginable after the incident, especially when they have gone through therapy together

If you have experienced infidelity in your relationship, contact a marriage counselor today. Find someone who provides a safe and nonjudgmental environment to assist each partner in recovery.