I think we can all agree that:
 
Finding the BEST addiction treatment program is nearly impossible. You search for addiction treatment near me but just can't find the right place.
 
Or is it?
 
As it turns out, treating addiction is MUCH more effective when all of the care is customized to each patient.  It seems obvious right?  The problem is that this rarely ever happens, even when addiction centers make this claim.
 
So how is healthcare effectively customized?
 
It starts with careful planning to ensure top quality care from every aspect of treatment.  I will explain this in detail below. 
 
The treatment facility and all associated medical professionals play vital roles.  The location and treatment amenities must be energizing and motivating, but the quality of staff are even more important. 
 
Let’s start with therapists.  The American Psychological Association has agreed that the ability to bond or form a quality therapeutic alliance is one of the most important characteristics of a therapist.  While really good therapists can achieve this bond with a vast majority of patients, there are plenty of average therapists and difficult patients that will struggle to build an effective level of rapport.  This is particularly problematic within an inpatient addiction center as many facilities will not allow patients to choose their therapist.  Patients are assigned a therapist, and it is often impossible to switch, despite having a poor or non-existent therapeutic alliance.  This in itself can result in failed addiction treatment.  Therapists also have varying levels of expertise with each psycho-therapeutic modality.  Different modalities include cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy, habit reversal therapy, etc.  Outpatient addiction treatment allows patients to determine the type of therapy used and an associated therapist with expertise in that treatment area.
 
While a therapeutic bond is important, addiction patients also need therapists with appropriate training.
 
That last sentence seems self-explanatory, but it isn’t.  Many addiction treatment facilities utilize licensed chemical dependency counselors (LCDC’s).  Quality LCDC’s are quite effective at teaching skills that support sobriety, and they have a strong role within the addiction field.  These chemical dependency counselors are very beneficial when utilized correctly, but they often aren’t.  LCDC’s should work effectively with licensed professional counselors (LPC’s) in addiction settings.  Quality LPC’s are not only trained in addiction but also in a broad range of therapeutic techniques to treat all mental health disorders. 
 
The ability to provide counseling across the spectrum of mental illness is vital to comprehensive addiction treatment.  The percentage of addiction patients with a serious mental illness ranges from 30-60%, depending on the research study that you read.  Pay attention to the bolded word above – serious.  The majority of the remaining patients without a serious mental illness experience a lower degree of symptoms or mental flaws that could benefit from counseling.  Actually, it is my opinion that we could all benefit from quality counseling. 
 
Treatment for addiction should thus include dedicated treatment with a LPC or even more experienced - PhD level therapist.  Many addiction treatment centers do not include such highly trained therapists or do not have enough to support the volume of patients.
 
In my experience, individual counseling with a LPC should start with 2-3 sessions/week for at least 3 weeks before decreasing frequency.  Patients need to build a firm foundation in therapy, so that the techniques can be practiced effectively outside of appointment times.  Relapses should prompt more frequent treatment.  Few inpatient centers will provide this level of care. 
 
Effective counseling is one of the most important aspects of addiction, but medication management is also vital for those requiring medical detoxification or treatment of a serious mental illness.
 
Medication management is typically the realm of a physician.  Any physician trained in addiction should be able to properly detox a patient and significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms.  Proper detoxification does not eliminate the risk of seizures or other side effects, but it does significantly reduce the severity and likelihood of complications.  Even with minimizing risks, some patients will encounter complications that may require medical hospitalization.  Many patients can be safely detoxed in an outpatient setting, but certain risk factors (like past withdrawal induced seizures) may require an inpatient center for 24/7 monitoring.
 
Detoxification is just the start of medication management.  As I mentioned earlier, 30-60% of patients with addiction have a comorbid serious mental illness.  The only type of physician well trained in identifying and treating the full range of mental illness is a psychiatrist, but not all addiction physicians are psychiatrists.    
 
Ideally, addiction patients in an inpatient setting should see an addiction physician (psychiatrist or not) for an initial evaluation to manage detoxification.  Once detoxification is complete, an evaluation should be scheduled with a psychiatrist to identify and manage any mental health issues.  The problem is that insurance companies will generally not pay for 2 evaluations during the same admission or with the same physician.  To obtain this level of care, the patient must utilize separate physicians for detox and a later psych evaluation or pay cash.  Insurance companies expect the initial detox evaluation to include all relevant mental health information.  The people making these decisions at insurance companies have obviously not attempted to perform a thorough psychiatric evaluation on someone experiencing substance withdrawal.  Imagine trying to obtain a detailed mental health history on someone with acute appendicitis.  It can’t be done well.  The same could be said for someone going through acute withdrawal and trying to accurately present a life history. 
 
Beyond having the proper personnel in LCDC’s, LPC’s, and a psychiatrist for individual sessions, most treatment facilities include group therapy.  Group therapy is led by a therapist, but peers are generally allowed to share their experiences.  While some peers will provide valuable support and additional sobriety skills, others can be disruptive.  I’ve seen many pleasant people leave group settings demoralized because of a peer’s behavior.  The counselor leading the group should be able to quickly enforce rules and boundaries.  Unfortunately, this is another area where insurance companies interfere with quality treatment.  Treatment facilities may not receive reimbursement if patients are not attending groups, so counselors often provide too many chances to the offender at the detriment of the group.  Another alternative would be having separate groups based on personalities, but this requires additional staff that facilities often cannot afford.
 
Individual therapy is not interchangeable with group therapy.  Insurance companies do not agree here either.  Many addiction treatment centers continue to use group therapy as the main source of counseling as it is more cost-effective.  This cost-cutting is to the detriment of the patient.  Individual counseling is a necessity to identify personal maladaptive behaviors, treat co-morbid conditions, and encourage individual growth.  Sadly, many treatment centers provide less than 1 individual therapy session/week.  Infrequent therapy is ineffective therapy.
 
Counseling and medication management are major aspects of addiction treatment, but there are other smaller considerations that can contribute to effective care. 
 
The environment and facility amenities significantly contribute to effective addiction treatment through elevating morale and maintaining motivation.  Between physician appointments, group therapy sessions, individual therapy, and other treatment modalities, there is a lot of concentration and personal growth packed into each day.  Over the course of 30-90 days, you can imagine how difficult it must be to continually stay motivated and focused.  This is less of a problem with outpatient addiction treatment as patients can maintain their hobbies and activities.  At inpatient centers, there should be enough fun activities, amenities, and exercise equipment to re-energize and relax from the intensity of each day.  Few provide many amenities, and the result is irritable patients that provide less than ideal effort.  Without sustained effort, treatment is less likely to be effective.
 

If you have ever had the chance to visit a mental health center near you, you must have noticed different specialists treating different categories of people and diagnoses. The services your mental health center provides range from anxiety disorder treatments to family therapy. Here are five essential services you will likely find when you go in for mental health services.

Mental Health Diagnosis And Referral

The mental health center is not just for those with diagnosed mental health issues. Anybody that suspects they might be suffering from one can make an appointment and request assistance. They also provide support through the diagnosis and treatment. If they can’t provide the needed services, they can refer the patient directly to a different therapist who can help. For emergencies, you should dial 911 or head to an emergency department.

Special Mental Health Services

Regular therapists can’t always handle all mental health issues depending on the nature of the ailment. Patients with neurodegenerative conditions, personality disorders, intellectual disability, and extreme PTSD may need more specialized treatments and would need to be seen by a psychiatrist or psychologist. 

Digital Support

Not everyone can access a mental health center physically due to various challenges like disability, remote locations, or other constraints. Fortunately, most health centers offer digital support for such patients in the form of phone and online services. These are usually in the form virtual visit platform or website where they can get advice and support for minor mental health issues and even get prescriptions. 

Personal Mental Health Services

Not every patient will benefit from community health care services because some ailments require personalized care. These patients should reach out to a mental health provider like Your Family Psychiatrist who can provide personalized psychiatric care. 

Medication Support

Some patients require medications to help them treat or manage their mental health issues. Your psychiatrist can prescribe and manage the dosage and response to these medications. 

If you need an anger management assessment, this is not something you can do at home. A professional assessment needs a clinical interview. A healthcare provider will interview you in person (or by phone). Only then might you discover your diagnosis or potential causes of the anger.

Ideally you should find a psychiatrist who will make the assessment, diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan. After you are assessed, they will recommend the best course of treatment or trained professionals for assistance.
​

Data shows that premature ejaculation (PE) affects 4-39% of men at one point in their life.  While many men initially feel embarrassed by this symptoms, it is much more common than you would expect.  Most men use the search term ‘premature ejaculation doctors near me’ to find timely help, but many psychiatrists will also treat this problem.

Men with an IELT (intravaginal ejaculation) of less than a minute suffer from “definite premature ejaculation.” In contrast, those with an IELT of 1 to 1.5 minutes have “probable PE.”

PE is “persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimal stimulation before, on or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it, over which the sufferer has little or no voluntary control," according to the World Health Organization.

Since people have varying expectations from their sex life, it is not easy to define premature ejaculation based on sexual performance. A typical ejaculation occurs five minutes after the inception of sexual activity. However, some people wish to ejaculate before or after five minutes. The difference in sexual preferences explains why the definition of PE relies on the time an individual desire to ejaculate. 

The majority of men have ejaculated before they wish, so doctors emphasize frequent unintentional ejaculations when diagnosing PE. 

Premature ejaculation results from psychological as well as neurobiological causes. Some psychological factors include:

1. Religious beliefs
2. Expecting failure
3. Anxiety and depression 
4. Stress
5. Relationship problems

​

Men have varying degrees of control over when to ejaculate during sex.  PE can get in the way of your sexual pleasure, cause problems in intimate relationships, or prevent you from pursuing close relationships. 
​
Premature ejaculation doctors conduct a physical exam before diagnosis. They also a multitude of questions like:

• The type of sexual activity you are currently involved in, e.g., foreplay, intercourse, masturbation, etc.
• How long the PE has been there 
• The time it takes to ejaculate during masturbation vs intercourse
• Whether you experience PE with all, some or, one partner
• Frequency of premature ejaculation
• The effects of PE on your life
• Whether you have had regular sexual encounters without PE. If yes, what you think made the intercourse regular. And, whether you had PE at the time of normal intercourse
• What you think makes your premature ejaculation worse or better

​

Trichotillomania is an OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) in which a patient has an endless urge to pull their hair from somewhere on the body. Most people use their hands to remove their hair while others use instruments such as tweezers. People with Trichotillomania feel restless or uncomfortable until they pull their hair out.  

Trichotillomania is common among adolescents. In most cases, it starts the same time as puberty. 

Those with Trichotillomania may develop bald patches as a result of pulling their hair. In the case of balding, patients result in using scarves, false hair/eyelashes, and hats.  In instances where hair loss cannot be covered, most with trichotillomania will keep away from social gatherings. In the end, the patients suffer from low self-esteem and embarrassment. 

In other instances, sufferers chew the hair they pull from their bodies. Although the disease is curable, some people suffer from the condition all their life if they do not seek treatment. 
​
Patients tend to isolate themselves due to the shame associated with balding. If the balding is pronounced, friends and relatives will start to talk about it. If you are beginning to isolate yourself or just can't stop, it is time to seek help. 

• The condition is common among people of ages 10 to 13
• High level of stress could trigger the disease
• People with OCD, anxiety, or depression 

​

• The sufferer finds relief after they pull their hair
• Hair loss as a result of hair pulling
• Unexplainable urge to pull out one's hair
• Uncontrollable tension when you resist to, or, before you pull out the hair
• Hair loss unaccounted for by any dermatological conditions 
• Swallowing hair, cutting it into pieces or, playing with hair that has been pulled out 

​

Treatment of Trichotillomania OCD is not straight forward: some people try various strategies before they find one that helps them cope with the condition. There are two main treatment methods:
Medication

• Medicines prescribed by your psychiatrist can help to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, any obsessive-compulsive symptoms, or depression.  

Behavioral treatments include:

• Habit reversal therapy is a strategy that focuses on substituting hair pulling with other harmless activities. Patients focus on journaling and different techniques to curb the effects of hair pulling triggers. 
• Therapy can be group, family, cognitive, or process-oriented therapy. Family therapies are useful if the patient is an adolescent or child. The treatment helps parents to understand their child and what they are going through and how to help manage the symptoms better. Process-oriented therapies focus on talks, which helps to identify the emotions behind the condition and triggers. Group therapy provides moral support from other people who have Trichotillomania OCD. 
• Relaxation training helps individuals to relax their central nervous system to manage stress. In self-awareness training, people learn to track their hair pulling patterns. The training heightens an individual's awareness of when they pull hair and emotions that trigger hair removal. Deep breathing therapy can also be helpful.  

Trichotillomania is a DSM-5 mental health disorder, so you need to seek medical care for the disease to go away. ​

Having someone close to you struggle with depression can be challenging.  You might find it difficult to empathize with the condition or feel that you are unprepared to help with your family member’s or friend’s depression. Your inability to assist may cause feelings of inadequacy with associated emotions such as frustration, anger, helplessness, guilt, and fear. 
​
However, your support and companionship could play a crucial role in the recovery of your loved one. Read on to know how can you can someone with depression. 

Being aware of the symptoms of depression can allow you to recognize the disorder in your loved ones.  Hence, it’s important to be aware of the signs of depression.
​
It may be time to seek support if you notice the following symptoms in your loved one: 

• Has lost interest in work
• Lack of interest in hobbies and other activities he loved doing earlier
• Prefers to be alone
• Appears sad, angry, and irritable most of the times
• Exhibits mood swings
• Complains of vague aches and pains frequently 
• Sleeps less or more than usual 
• Eats less or more than usual

​

One of the best ways to help your loved one living with depression is to re-introduce them to his/her hobbies. You can also encourage him/her to attend social events. You can encourage or prompt fun activities such as having dinner or watching movies.
​

A caring attitude can play a vital role in the recovery of your loved one. You can be their pillar of support. You can also seek the advice of a psychiatrist to help him overcome the symptoms so that he can live a healthy and happy life. 
​

When it comes to treating someone with an anxiety disorder, you first need to accurately determine the type of anxiety that is causing the suffering.  The treatment may combine various methods of care.
​
If you want to know what to do to treat such disorders, check out these methods from our Anxiety Center.

1. Getting Counseling and Therapy
A standard treatment for anxiety disorders, as well as most mental illnesses, involve psychological counseling and therapy.
 
One of the common types of psychotherapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy.  Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps the patient recognize and change harmful thought patterns which trigger anxiety, along with other troubling feelings. It helps to change the scale and intensity of one's reactions to triggers and stressors.
 
Therapy helps patients manage the way their mind and body would react when facing stressful situations.
  
2. Prescription Medications
There are different kinds of medications to help treat anxiety disorders. 

• SSRI's (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) are the most common class of anxiety medication used.  They are also considered anti-depressants.
• Cardiac medications like beta-blockers and alpha agonists can reduce symptoms in our physical body which provides calming feedback to our brain.
• Buspirone is a unique 5-HT1A agonist that can reduce stress feelings
• Benzodiazepines, while potentially addictive, can assist in the early stages of anxiety to promote faster results and improve sleep.

 
Make sure that you get a prescription from your healthcare provider and take only the advised dosage. 
 
3. Self-Treatment and Having a Support System
Some patients with anxiety disorders may be able to reduce their symptoms without the need for clinical supervision. 
 
•  Stress management is very helpful in preventing and limiting potential triggers. This can include managing deadlines, keeping a sustainable schedule, and organizing your tasks.
• Relaxation techniques reduce the symptoms of anxiety.  Some relaxation techniques are taking warm baths,  deep-breathing exercises, and meditation.
•    Having a support network is extremely helpful and effective to avoid suppressing anxious feelings.
•   Exercise often.  Exercise can help release positive neurotransmitters for better emotions and coping. 
•  Visualization techniques can replace negative thoughts with more positive ones.  Imagine conquering fears or achieving your goals before difficult tasks.
 
Wrapping It Up
If you or someone you know may suffer from a mental health disorder, don’t be afraid to reach out to organizations such as Your Family Psychiatrist's Anxiety Center in Houston now. 

Are you new to therapy or want to look into different types of treatment for your recovery? You may have a few questions about the first steps to take? One of them may be about the mental health evaluation, which is a common, yet misunderstood initial step.
 
Yes, it can sound a bit intimidating, but this is a simple way for a psychologist, psychiatrist,  or other healthcare provider to know more about what you are currently going through. So read on to learn more about the mental health evaluation so you know what to expect!

A mental health evaluation is like a psychological assessment. A medical professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or even family doctor, will perform the assessment. 
​
The evaluation could involve various components, including:
 
            •           Verbally answering questions
            •           Taking a physical test
            •           Completing  questionnaires
 
This is the first step and initial line of defense when looking for treatment for mental illnesses.  Other evaluation tools may also help professionals gain insight into one's personality.
 
No medical health professional will ever judge you for the results. They plan to work with you to help you understand and manage the symptoms that impact your life.
 
It may be a bit more comforting if you think of it as taking a medical test for a physical illness.  Let’s say, you suffer from physical symptoms. A doctor would order blood tests or X-rays to understand what causes your symptoms and develop a treatment plan for it.
 
Mental health evaluations do the same thing, with mental health professionals utilizing tools and tests to measure and observe behavior. Once they have the results, they will diagnose you and find appropriate treatments accordingly to the specific issues you have.

Mental health evaluations may have different components, such as behavioral observations, checklists, formal questionnaires, interviews, surveys, and more. The depth of the mental health evaluation will depend on the patient and what has to be assessed.
 
Usually, these evaluations take between 20-90 minutes, depending on why you are being evaluated. They can be done in-person or virtually, depending on your situation. Mental health evaluations online are becoming more common. 

​To help you get a gist of what to expect from mental health evaluations, here are the different types:
 
       •          Physical exams are done to help determine if you have a physical disorder or neurological issue
       •         Lab tests may be done, such as blood work or a urine test to, again, rule out physical disorders. You might also be asked about medicine, drug, and alcohol use to confirm that the symptoms you experience aren’t side effects
       •       The medical health professional will ask about your mental health history and personal history. They’ll ask how long you’ve been experiencing such symptoms, the medical history of mental health, psychiatric treatments received, as well as personal history and traumas
          •           Mental evaluations will discuss your symptoms in more detail, focusing on your behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. Your healthcare provider will observe how you appear and behave as he/she asks you questions to get more detail
       •       The cognitive evaluation is different from the mental evaluation, with your healthcare provider gauging your ability to recall information, use sound reasoning, and to think clearly. 
         •        Self-evaluations or self-assessments are done to get to know your thoughts, emotions, among other symptoms before getting support. This will help figure out what therapy you need as well as a preferred communication style.

Mental health evaluations are crucial to help determine what diagnosis you may have and what you need to treat your symptoms. Just make sure that a licensed professional will administer the assessments to get an accurate response and positive result.
 
If you would like to receive a mental health evaluation, do reach out to our office to find out more

​Have you ever wondered, “what is neuropsychological testing and who is it done for?”
 
Read on to find out and immerse yourself into the world of neuropsychology, which combines our brain and behavior!

​Clinical neuropsychology is a field that has historical origins in psychology and neurology. A neuropsychologist would assess one’s brain functioning through structured and systematic observation of behavior. This is where neuropsychological tests come along.

Neuropsychological tests are designed to help examine different cognitive abilities, such as one's speed of information processing, attention, language, memory, as well as executive functions, all of which necessary for behavior.

Neuropsychological testing began in the 20th century, which was when the modern field of neuropsychology started to emerge. It was Ralph Reitan, an American neuropsychologist, who stated the importance of such tests to help guide the systematic observations of the relationship between the brain and one’s behavior. 
 
Before using neuroimaging techniques such as the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, professionals focused on the diagnosis. Because there weren’t many non-surgical methods to observe brain lesions and structural abnormalities in the living, the tests were the only way to see what part of the brain affected the patient.
 
When testing one’s cognitive abilities and examining their patterns of performance in various cognitive areas, neuropsychologists will be able to make inferences regarding the underlying brain function.
 
They would be able to help identify syndromes and disorders associated with that particular area of their brain. Furthermore, these tests can also be used as screening tests, for medical professionals to see if they require more extensive diagnostic evaluations. It can also be used in elderly people who have memory issues, so doctors can identify those who are more at risk for dementia compared to those who experience the typical age-related memory problems.
 
The tests are a vital part of assessing and treating neurological conditions, psychiatric disorders, traumatic brain injuries, as well as dementia. Furthermore, neuropsychological testing is a vital tool to examine the effects of different toxic substances and medical conditions on how the brain functions.

​One would require these tests when their doctor finds out if a neurological disease or recent injury might have affected their brain.
 
For instance, a concussion, or for patients suspected to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. Other conditions that may affect the brain (and require neuropsychological testing) include:
 
            •           Alzheimer’s disease
            •           Dementia
            •           Epilepsy
            •           Stroke
 
And other neurological conditions, both minor and severe.

​What Is the Procedure Like?
There are different kinds of tests that can be done, depending on your medical history, the particular symptoms experienced, as well as the potential diagnosis.
 
One of the most common types of neuropsychological testing is a mere screening test. It's also known as mini-mental exams, which are usually taken during your first neurological office visit, then taken yearly afterward.
 
If it is clinically indicated, then you may take a computerized test, with the results collecting valid and accurate brain and behavioral clinical endpoints. These would give medical professionals information between the patient’s brain function (from the central nervous system) and behavioral/neurocognitive dysfunction.
 
Again, if clinically indicated, then there may be formal neuropsychological testing required, with a neuropsychologist. This is done in patients who have more serious causes of brain trauma and injury, or neurodegenerative diseases.
 
Wrapping It Up
I hope that this quick and informative guide answered your question, "what is neuropsychological testing?" Let this be the beginning of learning more about the wonders of neuropsychology and the connections between our mind and the way we act!

​ADHD specialists are professionals who diagnose and treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The specialist may be a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a neurologist.
 
Though all of these can diagnose and treat the disease, only licensed and qualified physicians such as a psychiatrist or neurologist can prescribe medication and perform physical evaluations to identify potential alternative causes of symptoms.
 
If you are seeking counseling, you can choose a psychiatrist, psychologist, or an expert therapist. If you need medications, then you will need to see a psychiatrist or child psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD medications. A national 2016 parent survey revealed that about 6.1 million children were diagnosed with ADHD.
 
It is important to note that the problem may not end with the discovery and treatment of ADHD. You may need counseling sessions to change learned negative behaviors.

​-Obtains medical and family history
-Conducts or orders a neurological exam and/or a general physical
-A comprehensive interview with you and your child
-Use screening tools for ADHD
​-Observes child at school or play
​-Uses psychological tests to assess emotional and social behavior and to measure IQ

An ADHD specialist diagnoses ADHD in patients by identifying the following common symptoms of ADHD:
 
Common Inattention symptoms:

• Failing to give attention to detail and making frequent mistakes
• Difficulty sustaining attention while partaking in activities
• Failing to finish workplace duties or schoolwork
• Not able to listen when spoken with directly
• Difficulty organizing activities
• Avoids or is reluctant to engage in activities that demand mental effort
• Forgetful in day-to-day activities

 
Common Hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms:

• Frequently taps feet and hands
• Leaves seat when seated is expected
• Unable to engage in leisure and recreational activities quietly
• Runs in situations where it is inappropriate
• Is always on the go
• Answers before someone complete the question
• Difficulty waiting their turn
• Intrudes on or interrupts others
• Talks excessively

Follow these steps to find the best ADHD specialist for you or your child:

• Get recommendations: Your trustworthy therapists, doctors, and friends may refer you to a good specialist. Ask as many questions as you want about their recommendation and try them out.
• Do your homework: Research about professional certification and academic degrees of the recommended specialists. Have a conversation with former patients to find out their experience with the ADHD specialist.
• Be Comfortable: You must feel comfortable and open with the specialist. Be yourself and be honest with the specialist. 

​The specialist’s role
 
No laboratory or imaging tests unilaterally diagnose ADHD.  A thorough evaluation is needed to identify the correct diagnosis. Make sure you communicate with your physician openly and honestly.