Anxiety is characterized by an inner feeling of turmoil or tension in response to stressors which may be internal or external in nature. These stressors may be real or sometimes involve unrealistic worries.

In addition to psychological distress, anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as perspiration, sweaty palms, feelings of tightness in the chest, dizziness, shortness of breath and even the sensation of having a heart attack. If anxiety is severe one may even have the psychological feeling of impending doom.

Minimal anxiety is a normal part of the human experience and can even help improve performance in some circumstances. While we all experience some anxiety from time to time, anxiety which is frequent or disabling is problematic and can be lessened with treatment.

Somatic symptoms resembling a heart attack,or any difficulty with breathing, should certainly be evaluated first by medical personnel, in an urgent manner, to assess for any cardiac or other medical conditions which may be present.

Anxiety can take several forms including generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anxiety often leads to individuals carrying out certain behaviors in an attempt to lessen their anxiety.

When anxiety is severe, or if it interferes with daily functioning, it may be improved with treatment. Treatment modes include medication, relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioral strategies. Medication along with counseling has been shown to be the most effective form of treatment.

Treatment is helpful when people find themselves avoiding certain places or activities to attempt to reduce feelings of anxiety. Rituals for dealing with anxiety can be very time consuming and may interfere with performing necessary tasks.

If anxiety is interfering with your ability to function consider seeking help from a mental health professional. At Ridgewood Clinic we are able to provide evaluation, medication, and counseling to achieve a reduction in symptoms and improve the quality of your lifestyle.

Sadness is a normal human emotion. It is physically and emotionally unpleasant to feel sad, but feeling sad during appropriately sobering events like death, divorce, or loneliness is an essential part of our human experience. A person having a wide and varied emotional spectrum is a sign of mental wellness. As the old saying goes, ‘how do you know the sunshine without the rain’?

However, prolonged depression is an unhealthy exaggerated sense of sadness that carries with it a vast number of other symptoms that if experienced together and impacts a person’s functioning negatively can be diagnosed as clinically significant. Sadness is a subjective state that can be described as feeling down, low, empty, or “bad”. Short periods of depression, two weeks or less, is something that a vast number of people experience in their lifetime. These periods may have situational triggers such as bereavement or symptoms that are better accounted for by physical health conditions like thyroid or hormone problems. Clinical depression is defined as a Mood Disorder that lasts for two weeks or longer and includes the following symptoms: hopeless, feeling as though things will never get better, helpless, feeling as though you can not do anything about your situation. Additional symptoms include possible increase or decrease in both sleep and appetite, as well as feelings of anhedonia, meaning that life is no fun and things you used to like to do you don’t do anymore, crying spells, moving slow, being unfocused, irritable, feeling constantly fatigued or slowed down, and difficulty with decision making.

Some issues related to depression, that people in the mental health community take very seriously are thoughts, actions, plans, and means to harm your self or another. In depression, people sometimes have those thoughts about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else. Psychiatrists and counselors constantly engage in screening for suicidal ideation as well as homicidal ideation throughout the treatment process. A client being honest about these feelings is essential to treatment. Safety is of great importance and our highest duty. Many issues can be changed or coped with, but suicide is irreversible. If you or someone you love is thinking of suicide or harming another individual please contact your nearest physician, counselors, hospital, dial 911, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 in USA.

The best treatment for depression is a combination of medication intervention and psychotherapy. An individual utilizing a psychiatrist to properly diagnose your symptoms then helping you find the right combination of medication for your unique chemistry is key to managing mental health issues. Equally, utilizing a licensed therapist to explore your thoughts, feelings, and actions can help improve your quality of life. It is a myth and supports stigmatizing thought to believe that asking for help is a weakness, or in some way inferior. If any of the above information reminds you of yourself or someone you know we welcome and encourage you to contact our office at 601-957-3211.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by a pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This type of instability often disrupts functioning in family and work life, impairs decision making abilities, and alters the person’s sense of self-identity. Many people who suffer from BPD often describe feeling as though they cannot control their emotions. BPD may occur in anyone but is most common in young adult women. Those diagnosed with the disorder often experience higher rates of self-injury, suicide attempts, and in more severe cases, completed suicides. Individuals with BPD often require intensive mental health services, yet over time may improve and eventually lead productive, healthy lives.
The most common signs or symptoms associated with BPD are erratic thoughts and behavior patterns. These symptoms can adversely affect mood, relationships with others, and self-perception. A person may experience mood disruptions that include intense bout of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last only hours up to a full day. There may also be episodes of impulsive aggression, self-injury, and drug or alcohol abuse. Distorted thinking can sometimes lead to frequent changes in long-term goals, career plans, jobs, relationships, and personal values.

People with BPD often experience highly unstable social relationships that can be intense attachments in their attitude towards family and friends that can suddenly shift from nearly idealization (great admiration) to devaluation (intense anger or dislike). Other impulsive behaviors include excessive spending, binge eating, and risky sex. BPD can occur together with other psychiatric problems, such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other personality disorders.

Individualsdiagnosed BPD can experience a distorted sense of self and view themselves as fundamentally bad or unworthy. They may feel unfairly misunderstood or mistreated, bored, and empty. These symptoms can be most acute when people with BPD feel isolated or lacking in social support and will often become frantic in their efforts to avoid being alone. People with BPD can be highly sensitive to perceived criticism and rejection, often reacting with anger and distress to even mild separations or a sudden change in plans. It is often during these times that suicide threats and attempts may occur more frequently. If you or anyone you know is in any immediate danger because of thoughts of suicide please call 911. To talk with someone about any feelings of suicide,
please call 1-800-273-8255 in USA.

Treatment for BPD may include group and individual psychotherapy to address maladaptive behavioral patterns. Medication treatments such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and/or antipsychotics are often prescribed based on specific target symptoms present in each individual.