Getting Help: When to Consider Professional Psychological Services

Everyone experiences normal ups and downs in reaction to daily stresses and life events. Sometimes a good friend or a trusted clergyman can do much to help us through a troubled time. But when problems are severe or persistent, professional help may be needed.

Some of the warning signs that professional consultation may be helpful are:

• Difficulty in thinking or concentrating
• Sudden mood changes
• Behavior problems such as low productivity, excessive drinking, stealing, lying, procrastinating
• Feelings of depression, hopelessness, sadness
• Prolonged anxiety, irrational fears, panic attacks
• Suicidal thoughts
• Recurring tension-related physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea, fatigue, insomnia

These types of problems can occur in all stages of life, from early childhood to old age. In addition to the warning signs listed above, some of the special signals that children and adolescents may need professional help include:

• Declining grades, problems in school
• Moodiness, withdrawal, aggressiveness, irritability
• Difficulty making and keeping friends
• Hyperactivity
• Loss of coping skills, regression to a previous stage of development
• Sudden giving away of most important or treasured items may be a sign of heightened suicidal risk

Many factors can contribute to the development of a psychological or emotional problem, including:

• Heredity - genetic predisposition to certain illnesses such as alcoholism or depression
• Stress - too many demands or changes, whether positive or negative
• Life crises and adjustments - divorce, the death of a loved one, loss of a job, a relocation, retirement
• Physical problems - reactions to certain diseases or medicines; coming to terms with chronic illness
• Past experience - unresolved traumas from an earlier stage of life

Most psychological problems can be treated successfully; untreated, many of these problems can escalate to dominate our lives and threaten our physical and emotional health, happiness, and productivity. In children and adolescents, psychological problems can impede emotional growth and interfere with the normal stages of development.

Other aspects of our treatment services and practice we'd like you to know about include:

The Physical Psychological Overlap: Sometimes medical problems masquerade as psychological problems; sometimes the reverse is true. When a link is suspected between physical and psychological symptoms, we need to sort out the physical components of the problem from the psychological aspects. To assure you of comprehensive treatment, we ask you to provide us with a thorough summary of your medical history, medications you may be taking, and general physical health. When necessary, we will work closely with your personal physician.

Medication: Medication can sometimes be helpful in conjunction with psychotherapy for certain types of psychological disorders. If we think medication may benefit you, we will discuss it with you and work with your physician. If appropriate, we can also recommend expert medical consultants.

Hospitalization: Although our services are offered primarily on an outpatient basis, we have affiliations with several area hospitals that provide specialized inpatient care in a modern, comfortable setting. When hospitalization is recommended (usually for only a small percentage of conditions), we can arrange it and provide you with any follow-up services you may need.