Psychiatric Services
Alpha-Stim a Safe Alternative in the Treament of Insomnia, Depression, and Anxiety
At Kentlands Psychotherapy in Gaithersburg, MD, we are proud to offer Alpha-Stim as a treatment option to our patients. Alpha-Stim is a therapeutic device that uses cranial electrical stimulation (CES) to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and some pain disorders. The device is roughly the size of a cell phone. The patient clips…
Differences Between Medications
Psychopharmacology is a branch of medicine that deals with the impact pharmaceuticals have on brain chemistry and neuroreceptors. Certain medications can have a very positive (or negative) impact on the brain when prescribed to certain patients. While not every mental health patient utilizes psychopharmacology, it is important to understand how the different medications that are…
Training in Psychopharmacology
Training to practice psychopharmacology takes years of work and even more experience. The brain is an incredibly complicated organ, and when using medication to alter brain chemistry, problems can arise if a qualified medical professional is not in charge of a treatment program. A psychopharmacologist is not just an individual that has specialized training in…
What Is Psychopharmacology?
Psychopharmacology is a little known aspect of psychiatry that is highly specialized. According to the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, “Psychopharmacology is the study of the use of medications in treating mental disorders. The complexity of this field requires continuous study in order to keep current with new advances.” This highly specialized field should not…
Stigmas and Mental Illness
Speaking openly and honestly about mental illness is extremely difficult within the United States. This is partly due to the fact that there are very serious stigmas surrounding mental illness. The public’s lack of knowledge towards mental illness makes breaking through these stigmas incredibly difficult. Societal stigmas also cause some individuals who are affected by…
Understanding PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that can affect men and women of any age. Most commonly, we hear about PTSD in regards to military personnel. In fact, PTSD can affect anyone who has witnessed or experienced a traumatic event; rape, war, death, bombing, kidnapping, etc. This disorder can cause an individual to have flashbacks…
Brief Overview of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, formally known as “manic-depression,” affects many Americans. Many people suffering from bipolar disorder do not seek treatment in a timely manner, and as such, it can result in damage to their jobs, relationships, etc. Finding a psychiatrist and a psychologist can help individuals deal with, and manage their diagnosis of bipolar disorder. As…
How Depression Affects Children
Depression has become a serious concern for young children. Like their adult counterparts, they can suffer greatly from depression, but tend to display this mental disorder in unique ways. It is difficult to imagine that a child who was once so full of life may be suffering from a mental disorder that is more commonly diagnosed…
Basic Understanding Mental Illness
Individuals that are plagued by a mental illness are subjected to unfair social stigmas. These individuals cannot control the fact that they now suffer from a mental illness. Many of these individuals seek professional treatment, but a large portion of the affected population live without treatment or diagnosis. It is important to understand mental illness…