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Depression, ADHD, Bipolar & Anxiety Education & Information

For those struggling with psychological or emotional disorders, patterns of destructive behavior or family or interpersonal conflicts, understanding the causes and symptoms of these situations is the first step towards resolving or treating them.  This is paramount for the individual as well as their family members and peers who support them, so they may all better understand the situation and how to constructively move past it.  Hope Counseling offers depression, ADHD, bipolar and anxiety education and information in Lakeland, FL to help both children and adults recognize symptoms and designate strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Chronic disorders such as depression, acute anxiety, bipolar disorder and ADHD are remarkable common, yet extraordinarily misunderstood.  Some recognize the symptoms of these disorders early on in their childhood, or parents or teachers noticed symptoms, while other conditions may not appear or be recognized under adolescence or adulthood.

If you are concerned that you, your child or another family member may be exhibiting signs of these disorders, learning more about them can help you accurately discern symptoms and seek appropriate assistance.  Learn more about these disorders in the information below or call Hope Counseling to schedule an assessment from a mental health professional.


Depression Education & Information:

Everyone has times where they feel sad or down. It’s a natural and normal part of being human. Depression is when those feelings last for an extended period of time and they interfere with your daily life, causing pain for you and potentially those who care about you. Depression is a brain disorder. People who have depression have significantly different structures and/or activity levels in the areas of the brain that are involved in mood, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior. It is believed that there is an imbalance of important neurotransmitters (chemicals used by brain cells to communicate) in the brains of individuals suffering from depression. The cause of depression is thought to be a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.Common depression diagnoses include: Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder. Bipolar Disorder can be characterized by periods of extreme low (i.e. depression), but it is not as common as major depression or dysthymia. Click on the Bipolar Disorder section to find out more about that particular diagnosis.


Signs & Symptoms of Depression:

Some signs and symptoms of Depression may include:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness
  • Losing interest in activities or hobbies that were once pleasurable
  • Irritability
  • Decreased energy
  • Difficulties falling or staying asleep
  • Excessive sleeping
  • Gain or loss of appetite (usually accompanied by sudden periods of rapid weight gain or loss)
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Ruminations
  • Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt
  • Frequent tearful episodes
  • Thoughts of death or suicideNote that depressive symptoms vary between individuals. Some symptoms may be more typical than others depending on age, gender, and other factors.

One effective treatment for depression is psychotherapy. Hope Counseling Centers offers psychotherapy for depression and a wide variety of other mental health issues. Contact Us

to find out more about our services or to schedule an appointment with one of our highly-trained clinicians.


Anxiety Education & Information:

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress and is biologically necessary to help us to prepare and face challenges and threats. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is excessive, uncontrollable, unpredictable, or when it manifests in changes in thinking or behavior, or when it manifests with a wide range of physical and/or mental symptoms. Anxiety symptoms are believed to be due to disruptions in central nervous system modulation. The serotoninergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems have been implicated in the modulation process. Disruptions in these systems can result in a dysregulation of physiological arousal and the subsequent emotional experience of the arousal.Common anxiety diagnoses include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Specific Phobias.


Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety:

Some signs and symptoms of Anxiety may include:

  • Excessive worrying
  • Difficulties controlling the worrying
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Muscle tension
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances

Note that anxiety symptoms vary between individuals. Some symptoms may be more typical than others depending on age, gender, and other factors.


Signs & Symptoms of Panic Attacks:

Some signs and symptoms of Panic Attacks may include periods of intense anxiety characterized by:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills or hot flushes
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling of choking
  • Nausea
  • Heart palpitations
  • Perspiration
  • Trembling
  • Fear of losing control
  • Tingling or numbness in the skin
  • Sense of impending doom

Note that panic attack symptoms vary between individuals. Some symptoms may be more typical than others depending on age, gender, and other factors.


Signs & Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Some signs and symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder may include the following symptoms following the experiencing or witnessing of a traumatic event:

  • Recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of a traumatic event
  • Recurrent distressing dreams about the trauma
  • Feeling as if the event is recurring, including illusions, hallucinations, and flashbacks
  • Distress at exposure to things that symbolize the trauma
  • Restricted range of emotion
  • Irritability
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Hypervigilance or being “overly cautious”
  • Exaggerated startle response or feeling “jumpy”

Note that PTSD symptoms vary between individuals. Some symptoms may be more typical than others depending on age, gender, and other factors.


Signs & Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:

Some signs and symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder may include the following symptoms related to the experiencing or witnessing of a traumatic event:

  • Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are intrusive and inappropriate and that cause distress
  • Attempts are made to ignore or suppress thoughts, impulses, or images with some other thought or action
  • Repetitive behaviors or acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to a thought, impulse, or image

Note that obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms vary between individuals. Some symptoms may be more typical than others depending on age, gender, and other factors.


One effective treatment for the various anxiety disorders is psychotherapy. Hope Counseling Centers offers psychotherapy for anxiety and a wide variety of other mental health issues. Contact Us to find out more about our services or to schedule an appointment with one of our highly-trained clinicians.


Adjustment Disorder Education & Information:

Significant changes in life can cause stress for anyone. Most of the time, people adjust and adapt to changes. In some situations, people are unable to “bounce back” and find that their reaction to the life stressor is impairing their overall functioning. An adjustment disorder is an abnormal and excessive reaction to a life stressor. The stressor can be a single event such as a natural disaster, marriage, divorce, or starting school or a new job. The stressor can also be multiple events or recurrent events such as marital problems, work difficulties, medical conditions, or financial difficulties. An adjustment disorder can manifest itself in a number of ways. Individuals with an adjustment disorder can experience depression, anxiety, disruptive behaviors and reactions, or a combination of the three.


Signs & Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder:

Some signs and symptoms of Adjustment Disorder may include:

  • Sadness
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Frequent tearful episodes
  • Nervousness
  • Excessive worries
  • Heart palpitations
  • Isolation from others and social activities
  • Unexplained headaches or stomachaches
  • Absence from work or school
  • Changes in appetite
  • Problems sleeping
  • Fatigue
  • Increase in dangerous or impulsive behaviors
  • Increase in the use of alcohol or other drugs

Note that adjustment disorder symptoms vary between individuals. Some symptoms may be more typical than others depending on age, gender, and other factors.


One effective treatment for adjustment disorder is psychotherapy. Hope Counseling Centers offers psychotherapy for adjustment disorder and a wide variety of other mental health issues. Contact Us to find out more about our services or to schedule an appointment with one of our highly-trained clinicians.


Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity (ADHD) Education & Information:

Everyone experiences the occasional difficulties in attention, concentration, controlling impulsive behaviors, or sitting still. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder (that can affect both children and adults) that is characterized by pervasive, excessive, and persistent deficits in attention and concentration, controlling impulsive behaviors, and in some cases, the presence of significant levels of hyperactivity. People with ADHD typically notice significant difficulties in school, work, or social activities as a result of their symptoms. While the exact cause of ADHD is unknown, research indicates that ADHD is likely caused by biological factors that influence neurotransmitter activity in certain parts of the brain that inhibit impulses and control attention. Research indicates that ADHD is NOT caused by poor parenting, family problems, television, food allergies, excessive sugar intake, or head injuries.ADHD can be diagnosed as one of three specific types. The Combined Type refers to both symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention. The Predominantly Inattentive Type refers to mostly inattentive symptoms. The Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type refers to mostly hyperactivity symptoms.


Signs & Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder:

Some signs and symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity may include:

  • Failure to pay close attention to details
  • Frequent careless mistakes
  • Difficulty sustaining attention
  • Losing or misplacing important items
  • Forgetfulness
  • Failure to follow instructions carefully and completely
  • Losing track of conversations or an inability to listen when spoken to directly
  • Restlessness
  • Fidgeting with hands or feet
  • Squirming
  • Running or climbing excessively or in situations that are inappropriate
  • Excessive talking
  • Difficulties taking turns
  • Difficulties remaining patient
  • Inability to sit still or stay seated

Note that ADHD symptoms vary between individuals. Some symptoms may be more typical than others depending on age, gender, and other factors.


One effective treatment for ADHD is psychotherapy. Hope Counseling Centers offers psychotherapy for ADHD and a wide variety of other mental health issues. Contact Us to find out more about our services or to schedule an appointment with one of our highly-trained clinicians.


Bipolar Disorder Education & Information:

All people have periods of time where they feel happy and periods where they feel sad. Sometimes these periods of happiness and sadness can shift from day to day or even within the same day. These are normal human experiences. When something bad happens and you go from being in a good mood to being in a bad mood, or from happy to sad or angry, that is not bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is an unusual shift in mood and activity level that is not easily attributed to an event or circumstance. A person with bipolar disorder can experience unusually intense emotional states, such as joy and sadness. Bipolar disorder is commonly referred to as “manic-depression”. It is characterized by “highs and lows”, or shifts from mania (periods of overexcitement and elation) to depression (periods of sadness and hopelessness). There are several types of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by periods of distinct manic episodes (lasting at least one week) and distinct depressive episodes (also lasting at least one week). Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by a pattern of mood shifts, but without any distinct manic episode. Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar disorder characterized by shifts between hypomania (milder manic episodes) and mild depression.


Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:

Some signs and symptoms of Bipolar Disorder may include:

Mania:

  • Feelings of euphoria or invincibility
  • Irritability
  • Unusually increased energy
  • Lack of sleep
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Restlessness
  • Impulsive behaviors
  • Engaging in high-risk behaviors (typically uncharacteristically)
  • Starting multiple projects without finishing

Depression:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness
  • Losing interest in activities or hobbies that were once pleasurable
  • Irritability
  • Decreased energy
  • Difficulties falling or staying asleep
  • Excessive sleeping
  • Gain or loss of appetite (usually accompanied by sudden periods of rapid weight gain or loss)
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Ruminations
  • Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt
  • Frequent tearful episodes
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
  • Note that bipolar disorder symptoms vary between individuals. Some symptoms may be more typical than others depending on age, gender, and other factors.

 


One effective treatment for bipolar disorder is psychotherapy. Hope Counseling Centers offers psychotherapy for bipolar disorder and a wide variety of other mental health issues. Contact Us to find out more about our services or to schedule an appointment with one of our highly-trained clinicians.