Psychiatry Associates Blog

Everyone has something they fear.  For most, their fears are mild and do not affect their quality of life.  However, for patients with diagnosable phobias, the level of fear and discomfort when confronted with specific objects or situations is exceptional and can significantly impact their day-to-day experiences.  This impact can be so severe that it produces physical symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and even a panic attack.

Food is at the very foundation of our being, giving us nutrition, energy and supporting life.  Yet, many have a complex relationship with food which can transform from life-sustaining into something more sinister.  For the millions of Americans who deal with an eating disorder, whether they consume too much or too little, food can be problematic.

Remember the hassles you regularly had to deal with before technology provided us with a constant internet connection and cell phones?  The inconvenience of waiting until you got home or stopping at a pay phone for a phone call, printing driving directions or pulling a map from the glove compartment or buying an entire album just to listen that one song you really loved weren’t given a second thought.  Today, such things would seem massively inconvenient.  As technology and connectivity have evolved, so too have our expectations, and now, those expectations are even being extended to our health care.

When a person thinks of anxiety, they often imagine the mental and emotional turmoil.  They likely envision someone who is high-strung, often nervous and prone to depression.  However, while anxiety can certainly manifest in these ways, there are several other potential side effects that are less commonly realized.  Key among these are the physical signs of an anxiety disorder.

Ask anyone what they don’t like about their appearance, and they will likely have no trouble quickly pointing out their perceived flaws.  Perhaps they think their nose is too large, their lips too small, or their hair too thin.  There are nearly countless ways in which we can criticize our own physical appearance.  Still, most people think of these things only occasionally, and it doesn’t interfere with their daily lives.  Those with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), on the other hand, are consumed with a fixation on these supposed flaws during most waking moments.

As a parent, leaving your child in any new or unfamiliar situation is bound to be met with a certain amount of anxiety for both parties.  Such emotions are perfectly normal but often quickly subside.  Then, there are times when a child’s anxiety over being separated from their parent, caregiver, or home occurs more often than is typical and in settings that may not be unfamiliar to them.  In these instances, a child may be suffering from separation anxiety.

With over 18 percent of the population experiencing mental health illness in a given year, the need for mental health care through psychiatry has never been more obvious.  Still, many don’t seek this care, often due to time and scheduling restraints.  Telepsychiatry addresses these hindrances and allows patients to get the care they need from anywhere and on a schedule that works best for them.  Below are seven of the top benefits of telepsychiatry and why it may just be the solution for you.

Based on the representations presented in movies and television, it would seem safe to assume that eating disorders nearly always come in the form of anorexia or bulimia.  Undeniably, these are awful diseases with which to contend, wreaking both emotional and physical havoc on their sufferers.  However, you may be surprised to learn that neither of these represent the most common eating disorder in America.  That distinction goes to binge eating disorder (BED).

It isn’t uncommon to feel anxious or overwhelmed from time to time.  However, for roughly 18 percent of American adults, anxiety goes beyond the norm and can be classified as a disorder.  Among the most common types of anxiety disorders are phobias, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.  However, for 2.7% of the population, even this level of anxiety occasionally crosses the line into panic.

It’s the season of cheer and joyful anticipation, but if you struggle with stress and anxiety, visions of sugarplums may be the furthest thing from your mind. While those feelings may make you feel alone and stressed around this time of year, it's important to understand that many people feel this way and that there are steps you can take to alleviate your anxiety.  Here are a few to try: