Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD; ADHD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder comes in 3 general varieties: Inattentive type, hyperactive type and combined. Despite what most people think, ADHD is actually underdiagnosed. When ADHD is moderate to severe, the treatment of choice is medication, usually stimulant medication. It has been found that not treating children with ADHD makes them more likely to have academic and social problems, low self esteem and puts them at higher risk for experimentation with illicit drugs and alcohol in their teenage years.
Mood Problems such as Depression and Bipolar Disorder
Mood disorders in psychiatry refer to variations of depression and bipolar disorder. Depressive illnesses are often characterized by a period of sad mood, sleep and eating changes, low energy, decreased interest in activities, feelings of guilt and possibly thoughts of suicide. Bipolar Disorders are a group of illnesses which include a cycle of mood between depression and mania. Mania can be experienced as feelings of euphoria and invincibility. It also can present in an irritable, aggressive manner.
Both depressive and bipolar disorders can present with psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. The treatment plan of choice for mood disorders is usually a combination of medications plus psychotherapy.
Anxiety Problems such as Panic, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Anxiety Disorders refers to a broad class of psychiatric illnesses. Among the most common include: Generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. All of these disorders are best addressed with psychotherapy, often in combination with psychiatric medication.
Eating Disorders
The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. These predominately occur in adolescent girls and young women. Treatment of eating disorders requires a "team" approach. A psychiatrist is often an important member of this team. Medication is often helpful to treat the depression that so often occurs along with eating disorders. The medications also can help with the distorted body image that most eating disorder sufferers experience. Lastly, medications can help decrease the anxiety that always goes with attempting to establish "healthy" eating habits. Other important members of the team usually include: The patient, her parents, a therapist for individual and family therapy, a medical specialist such as a pediatrician or family doctor and a nutritionist.
Autism and Asperger's Disorder
Autistic spectrum disorders refer to a group of syndromes, also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), with a big range of presentations. At it's most severe, autism makes a person nonverbal. Asperger's refers to a "high functioning" form of autism. Some major characteristics of autism include: Language delays, social difficulties and trouble with transitions. It is crucial to identify autism early in life and intervene. Medications cannot "cure" autism, but they can help control certain symptoms and have been shown in some research to improve social development.
Psychiatric Care of women during pregnancy and post-partum
Treating psychiatric illness during pregnancy and post partum can be tricky, but is often necessary. It involves extremely close monitoring of a patient if she is not taking medication. The decision to use medication during pregnancy requires a careful weighing of the the risks versus benefits of using a medication to the woman and her baby. Another important principle is to use the safest possible medications at the lowest doses for the shortest amount of time (for example, trying to wait until the second trimester or after delivery if possible).