Annapolis, MD Psychiatry – Meet With Board-Certified Psychiatrists

Popular film Safe Haven told the story of a young woman, Katie, who was fleeing from her controlling and abusive husband. Katie endured physical and emotional violence during her marriage and mustered up the strength to leave. Her escape landed her in a sleepy seaside town.

Eventually, Katie’s abusive husband tracked her down and attempted to harm her again. Thankfully, she had the support and protection of her new partner to get her through yet another traumatic event. For those who have gone through difficult situations like Katie, the emotional scarring can last well after the traumatic event(s).

Psychiatrists are mental health professionals who are highly trained and board certified to help people cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and many other mental illnesses. They can provide assessments, accurate diagnoses, and effective treatment plans to get you back on your feet and living a happier, more successful life.

At Thriveworks Counseling in Annapolis, MD, our psychiatrists are dedicated to providing you with exceptional client care. Whether you’re struggling with a specific mood disorder or just need some help boosting your self-confidence, a Thriveworks online psychiatrist can provide you with the support you need.

To work with one of our mental health professionals, book online or call our office.

Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist: Which Is Which?

Psychiatrists and psychologists are both professionals in the mental health field. However, they do have some differences. Psychiatrists are medical professionals who specialize in the treatment of mental disorders and have the ability to prescribe psychiatric medication. Psychologists typically provide their clients with counseling services such as talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Both psychologists and psychiatrists understand the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that people experience and are able to treat a wide range of mental illnesses and disorders. However, if you’re unsure as to what you’re experiencing or think you might be a good fit for medication, working with a psychiatrist might be the best option for you.

Can Psychiatric Medication Help Me?

When the idea of medication starts being bounced around, it can cause some mixed feelings. When beginning any new medication, it’s okay to feel cautious. Our psychiatrists at Thriveworks are here to answer any questions you might have and will walk with you every step of the way.

If you and your psychiatrist decide that you are a good fit for a mood stabilizer, antidepressant, or other psychiatric medication, you will begin medication management. Medication management ensures that you take the correct dosage, take your medicines at the right time of day, and with or without food (as prescribed)

Before starting anything new, be sure to disclose any necessary medical history, allergies, and current medication you might be on. Should you have any questions or think you might need to switch your prescription, reach out to your provider and they’ll guide you through the next steps.

Psychiatric Care: Conditions and Disorders

People often assume that only the most severe mental illnesses could benefit from working with a psychiatrist or taking a prescription medication. However, that’s not the case. At Thriveworks in Annapolis, our psychiatrists can work with you regardless of having mild or severe symptoms. Many people can find benefits in psychiatry.

Psychiatrists can help their clients work through a broad range of mental health conditions such as:

• Addiction and substance abuse 
• ADHD/ADD
• Schizophrenia
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Depression and anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Personality disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Panic disorder
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia

In some cases, you might not know exactly what you’re experiencing. Your Thriveworks psychiatrist will be able to identify the root cause of the challenges you are experiencing and help you get back on track to living happy and healthy.

To achieve this, your psychiatrist might utilize psychological tests, psychotherapy, medication management, and more. On top of these more in-depth treatment plans, your psychiatrist might discuss your diet, sleep, and exercise levels to help you in the best ways possible.

Lastly, our team also offers treatment almost entirely online, so you can get the help you need from wherever you are: home, your office, or other private areas. We have two convenient options: telephone sessions and video sessions. Just let one of our scheduling specialists know which you’d prefer.

See a Licensed Depression Psychiatrist in Annapolis, MD

Sadness affects everyone at some point. It’s difficult to lose a loved one, go through a divorce, or lose a job. The pain and fear that accompany these circumstances can be overwhelming.

For millions of people, however, the pain, fear, and sadness change their lives. They detach from friends and family, grow more troubled or irritable, and lose sight of the life they once knew. Perhaps they even struggle to get out of bed in the morning. These could be signs of a depressive disorder.

People who are depressed can feel alone and without hope. But help is available. Seeking treatment for depression can help people learn to understand their condition, cope with their symptoms, and live healthier lives.

If you suffer from symptoms of depression, a licensed psychiatrist can help. Consider making an online appointment to speak with a depression psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD,

What Are Common Symptoms of Depression?

People who are depressed don’t all exhibit the same symptoms or experience them in the same way. Generally speaking, though, depression symptoms can manifest in some common forms.

Overwhelming sadness that lingers for a significant period of time is the primary symptom of major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression. This sadness might even take on physical symptoms such as headaches or body aches, stomach pain, or severe fatigue.

Symptoms of depression can come in many forms. Here are some questions to consider when screening yourself or a loved one for a potential depressive disorder:

• Is the person having thoughts of suicide or self-harm?
• Do they feel excessive guilt or a low sense of self-worth?
• Are they experiencing pain that doesn’t have a physical cause?
• Do they appear to be acutely angry or irritable?
• Have their sleeping habits changed? Are they sleeping too much or not sleeping much?
• Do they appear restless, as if they can’t sit still?
• Have they stopped eating, or are they binge-eating?
• Do they seem unable to concentrate on simple tasks or activities?
• Have they lost interest in hobbies they once enjoyed?

A mental health professional can address these symptoms and begin creating a treatment plan if they are related to depression. If you or a loved one have struggled with these symptoms, call Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD to discuss them with a depression psychiatrist.

How Can a Psychiatrist Who Specializes in Depression Help Me?

As medical doctors, psychiatrists are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent mental illnesses such as depression. They specialize in mental and behavioral disorders and also have the medical expertise to conduct physical exams, lab tests, and other evaluations to determine the cause of depression symptoms.

The licensed psychiatrists at Thriveworks can address many types of depression-related illnesses, including these:

• Bipolar disorder: This is characterized by unusual changes in a person’s mood or energy level. The person can shift quickly from feeling sad and listless to being euphoric and full of energy. People with bipolar disorder often experience calmer moods between their manic or depressive periods.
• Persistent depressive disorder: Deep sadness is the primary symptom associated with persistent depressive disorder, which often lasts for two years or longer.
• Adjustment disorder with depressed mood: A stressful life event usually triggers this form of depression. The event doesn’t necessarily have to be negative; events such as childbirth or a job promotion can cause severe stress as well.
• Seasonal affective disorder: This form of depression usually occurs in winter, when daylight hours are shorter.

Treating depression may involve one or more methods, including talk therapy — or psychotherapy — and medication. Psychiatrists use psychotherapy to engage the client in constructive discussions about their symptoms. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a commonly used method that helps people change the way they think about stressful situations and re-evaluate how they cope with them. CBT has been proven effective in treating depression, anxiety disorders, and issues related to substance abuse.

Psychiatrists also can prescribe medication to treat symptoms related to depression. Therapy and medication often are used in tandem to treat depression. Your Thriveworks provider will determine if medication is right for you and will tailor a treatment plan that best fits your needs. To get started, connect with us at Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD.

ADHD Psychiatrists in Annapolis, MD — Testing and Treatment

Have you often wondered if you might be struggling with ADHD? Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have a hard time sitting still or focusing on a difficult task?
• Do you often fidget or pace around the room?
• Does your attention span feel exceptionally short?
• Do you have the constant need to move?
• Do you find yourself rereading sections in a book because you can’t stop your mind from wandering?

If you find yourself experiencing one or more of the above, you could be exhibiting symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD affects adults and children of any age but it’s so often misunderstood. In order to help diagnose and treat ADHD symptoms, it’s a good idea to seek the help of a licensed ADHD psychiatrist.

At Thriveworks, our mental health professionals specialize in the treatment of ADHD in both children and adults. We can help you understand the symptoms you’re experiencing and devise a treatment plan to gain more control over your life.

If you think that you or your child might have ADHD, contact our office at Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD for assessment, diagnosis and treatment.

What Are Common ADHD Symptoms?

In pop culture, some people have a habit of using ADHD to label or describe behaviors that appear scattered, disorganized, or distracted. ADHD, however, is a defined mental health disorder, one that requires real understanding.

Symptoms aren’t necessarily the same, in either appearance or severity, among those with ADHD. Psychiatrists use a defined set of criteria, written in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, to lead them to their diagnosis of ADHD.

The criteria place ADHD symptoms in three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Here are some signs of inattention used to diagnose ADHD:

• Difficulty following instructions
• Unable to pay attention to details or making careless mistakes
• Becoming frustrated by difficult tasks
• Misplacing items (cell phones, keys) or forgetting to pay bills or keep appointments
• Unable to organize thoughts or objects
• Being distracted or not listening when being addressed
• Appearing overly preoccupied with trivial thoughts or objects

Symptoms of ADHD also are grouped under the umbrella of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Common signs of these include the following:

• Fidgeting often with hands or feet
• An inability to sit still for long periods or when it’s expected
• Difficulty working or playing quietly
• Excessive talking or a habit of interrupting others
• Becoming anxious about waiting in line or taking turns
• A feeling of having to move constantly
• An intense sense of restlessness (e.g. your children might run around constantly)

Under DSM-5 requirements, children must show at least six of the defined symptoms to be diagnosed with ADHD. For people 17 and older, the diagnostic requirement is five symptoms.

To see whether you might be exhibiting symptoms of ADHD, consider making an appointment at Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD.

What Does an ADHD Psychiatrist Do?

If ADHD is left untreated, it can lead to various long-term problems: depression, family stress, delinquency, school or career issues, and so on. This is where ADHD psychiatrists come in.

No singular test exists for diagnosing ADHD in a foolproof way. Instead, psychiatrists rely on their medical knowledge and a comprehensive set of diagnostic procedures to diagnose ADHD on a case-by-case basis.

Evaluations begin with a thorough interview process. For children showing symptoms, that process may include interviews with parents and teachers. To complete a profile, psychiatrists observe a client’s symptoms and chart them using a series of standardized tools. Physical exams or blood tests might be required to rule out other causes of the symptoms. Your psychiatrist may need more than one appointment to complete this process.

After diagnosis, your psychiatrist can tailor treatment to your situation. Multiple therapy methods have proven useful in treating ADHD, including behavioral therapy and prescription medication, often used together. Early intervention and the right combination of therapy and stimulant medications can help lead to a successful treatment for ADHD.

If you’d like to learn more about ADHD diagnosis and treatment options, call Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD.

See a Licensed Anxiety Psychiatrist in Annapolis, MD

Does your heart pound when you’re out in public? Are you always worried the worst will happen? Maybe you’ve been afraid lately or can’t seem to get rid of those butterflies in your stomach.

If so, you may be experiencing an anxiety disorder. Affecting millions of people worldwide, anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses. Everyone experiences normal levels of anxiety at some point in their day-to-day lives, like being nervous before trying something new or when you arrive to work late.

However, anxiety becomes an issue when it prevents you from doing everyday tasks or if it affects your ability to maintain relationships with family members and friends. It becomes an issue when it persists for extended periods of time and interferes with your ability to function normally.

While society has traditionally held a stigma against mental illnesses, the social acceptance and awareness of these life-halting issues have grown tremendously over time with the help of famous celebrities like Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone speaking out publicly about their own battles with anxiety and depression.

Take renowned actress and director, Viola Davis, for example, who has opened up about her struggles with panic attacks and public speaking. Despite being one of the most decorated actresses of the modern era, Viola Davis would freeze during auditions and experience heart palpitations until she finally decided to seek help. She’s expressed how therapy has assisted her understanding and management of her social anxiety.

Like Viola Davis, you don’t have to shoulder your anxiety by yourself. Help is available at Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD, where our experienced anxiety psychiatrists work with you around your schedule to create an effective treatment plan and take back control of your life.

Am I Struggling With Anxiety?

Even though anxiety is fairly common, its symptoms aren’t cookie-cutter. Everyone experiences the mental illness differently but there are several common symptoms that people dealing with an anxiety disorder often report.

Those who suffer from anxiety may experience:

• Persistent nervousness
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid breathing, or hyperventilation
• Trembling
• Panic attacks
• Increased heart rate
• Feelings of being in danger
• Racing or ruminating thoughts
• Insomnia
• Irritability

This is not an all-inclusive list but these symptoms may indicate an underlying mental health issue. If you are experiencing one or more of the above, you would likely benefit from consulting with a mental health professional.

When left untreated, anxiety can lead to other mental health issues, including depression. Even though these two mental illnesses are considered opposites on the energy spectrum, feelings like failure and uselessness caused by anxiety can often result in feelings of depression, including trouble concentrating, lack of energy, change in appetite, and persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, the trained anxiety psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD can help.

Getting Help: What to Expect from an Anxiety Psychiatrist

Since no two people experience anxiety in precisely the same way, your psychiatrist is trained to customize treatment to address your specific concerns and symptoms. For example, someone suffering from a mild form of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is likely to receive a different kind of treatment than someone struggling with panic attacks or a severe phobia.

Your psychiatrist may administer a physical examination, use psychological tests, and ask interview questions to get to the heart of your symptoms and arrive at a diagnosis. If medication is right for you, your psychiatrist can prescribe it directly and monitor your symptoms to ensure it is having the desired therapeutic effect. They can also watch for any potential side effects.

If talk therapy is right for you, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss childhood events and present stressors that may be contributing to your condition. You may learn how to adjust your thought patterns to mitigate the impact of your symptoms. You might also learn coping skills and self-care habits to bring a sense of stability back into your life.

Popular forms of therapy used in the treatment of anxiety include:

• Psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Exposure therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

There are many options available to you in terms of treatment. By visiting a mental health professional at Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD, you will work directly with an anxiety psychiatrist to create an effective treatment plan that is right for you.

Schedule an Appointment at Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD

Are you struggling with feelings of fear and doubt? If you’re tired of letting your anxiety run your life, consider scheduling an appointment at Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD today.

Our trained professionals work hard to accommodate same-day and next-day appointments, even on evenings and weekends. We accept many different insurance plans and offer all clients the option of taking remote psychiatry appointments either by video or by phone, whichever is more convenient.

When you’re ready to make the life-changing decision to see an anxiety psychiatrist, Thriveworks in Annapolis, MD is here to help. You don’t have to let anxiety keep you from being you. Give our office a call today to get started.

Schedule an Appointment With an ADHD Psychiatrist in Annapolis, MD

If you’re considering treatment for ADHD, Thriveworks is here to help. We make the process as stress-free as possible.

Thriveworks offers convenient evening and weekend appointments to fit your schedule. New clients can often see a provider within 24-48 hours of their first call. We offer online consultations as well, allowing you to meet with a psychiatrist without leaving the comfort of your home.

Thriveworks accepts many major insurance plans and offers additional benefits, such as counselor-moderated community discussion boards and tutorials with information and inspiration. Further benefits include the following:

• A flexible cancellation policy
• Advice available by phone or mail
• Life coaching
• Free access to our eBook, “Leaving Depression Behind”
• A phone app to enhance your experience

Are you struggling with adult ADHD symptoms or think your child may have ADHD? Call today to request an appointment with a Thriveworks ADHD psychiatrist in Annapolis, MD.

Schedule With a Psychiatrist at Thriveworks Counseling in Annapolis, MD

If you’re here, it means that you’re ready to take the next step in bettering your mental health. We understand that this isn’t an easy decision. We’re glad to be here to help you thrive.

At Thriveworks Counseling in Annapolis, we offer extended appointment hours, flexible cancellations, a no waitlist policy, support seven days a week, and more. When you’re ready to schedule your appointment, visit our online booking system or give our office a call.

We look forward to working with you.