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Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders are characterized by a sudden onset of overwhelming, unwarranted sense of fear. Anxiety Disorders affect approximately 19 million Americans and are the most common psychiatric illnesses affecting both children and adults. Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia or social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. Each anxiety disorder has its own distinct features, but they all have the common symptom of excessive, irrational fear and dread.

Depression
Depression is among the most common psychological problems. It involves sadness, dejection, lack of self-esteem, and lack of energy. Several types of depression can be identified: Depressed mood is an emotional state dominated by feelings of sadness, gloominess, or emptiness, which may be associated with lack of energy. This mood state may be a temporary response to an unhappy or stressful event, or it may be persistent.

Dysthymia is a chronic low-grade depression accompanied by changes in energy, appetite, or sleep, as well as low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness. Symptoms cause distress and difficulty in functioning, but are not as severe as in major depression. People who suffer from dysthymia are at increased risk for episodes of major depression. This produces a situation in which mild depression is present most of the time, with occasional periods of more severe depressive symptoms. This is commonly called "double depression."

Major depression is severe, persistent depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities, accompanied by decreased energy, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of guilt or hopelessness. Symptoms must be present for at least two weeks, cause significant distress, and be severe enough to interfere with functioning. If the depression is very severe, it may be accompanied by psychotic symptoms or by suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

It appears that a tendency toward depression is often genetic, but that stressful life circumstances usually play a major role in bringing on depressive episodes. Problems with depression usually begin in adolescence, and are about twice as common in women as in men.

It appears that a tendency toward depression is often genetic, but that stressful life circumstances usually play a major role in bringing on depressive episodes. Problems with depression usually begin in adolescence, and are about twice as common in women as in men.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder is as "recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient and hostile behavior toward authority figures" (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-IV). Children with this disorder often lose their temper, argue with adults, refuse to comply with adult requests or rules, deliberately annoy people, blame others, become easily annoyed by others, are angry and resentful, or are spiteful and vindictive. Although many children may frequently display these behaviors, they may not meet the criteria for Oppositional Defiant Disorder. If a child continues to have difficulties with these behaviors and parents or guardians are concerned about their children's behavior, a diagnostic evaluation by a mental health professional should be considered. Following a diagnosis, children can participate in individual or group therapy focusing on behavior management, improving coping skills and their ability to maintain self-control, anger management, and/or issues related to self-esteem. Parents may seek assistance regarding parenting issues. These diagnostic and treatment services are available at Responsive Centers.

Substance Abuse
Statistics suggest that roughly one out of every ten people in this country, had, has, or will have a problem with alcohol or drugs. Addiction can affect anyone. Addictions are a product of hereditary and environmental factors. Addiction is also treatable. Treatment of addiction can include inpatient detoxification, inpatient residential treatment, outpatient individual or group therapy, family or marital therapy, pharmacological interventions, and self-help support groups.

Problems with Parenting
In the words of Marion Wright Edelman, President of the Children's Defense Fund, "If you are a parent, recognize that is the most important calling and rewarding challenge you have. What you do every day, what you say and how you act, will do more to shape the future of America than any other factor."

Parenting is an awesome mandate and one for which most have little formal training. Here at Responsive Centers for Psychology and Learning, we have a staff of professionals who understand the needs of parents and can help them develop those skills that will make parenting an exciting adventure, rather than a daily battle for survival. Individual counseling, family therapy, group counseling, self-help books, and community referral sources are available to help parents weather those occasional problems they face.