MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN PITTSBURGH, PA

Addictive disorders have primarily been viewed as the excessive use of alcohol and drugs. In addition, there are are other behaviors that can potentially lead to dependency, called "process addictions."

A major component of addiction is that it "takes over" the individual; although others often see the damage caused by the disorder, there is a "denial" that prevents the individual from seeing what others see. Addictive behaviors include:

• Gambling
• Compulsive shopping
• Excessive internet or phone use
• Social media
• Video gaming
• Pornography

Anxiety occurs in different circumstances, and to different degrees. You may experience excessive nervousness, concern, apprehension, or worry about events or issues, and have trouble controlling these feelings. Here is a list of some of the typical symptoms:

• Fearing "the worst" will happen
• Feeling more irritable
• Feeling restless, edgy, keyed up
• Increased muscle tension
• Overly terrified or afraid
• Trouble concentrating or focusing
• Unable to relax

The term codependence has been around for decades. Although it originally applied to spouses of alcoholics, researchers learned that the characteristics of codependence were much more prevalent in the general population than had previously been imagined. If you were raised in a chronically dysfunctional family or had an ill or absent parent, one is at increased risk of developing codependent behaviors. The following are aspects of codependency:

• Difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships
• Dysfunctional communication
• Excessive or inappropriate caretaking
• Chronic low self esteem
• Overly focused on the "other"
• Painful emotions
• People-pleasing
• Poor boundaries
• Problems with intimacy

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a serious accident, a terrorist act, war, a natural disaster, fire, flood, rape, or other violent personal assault.

People who have experienced trauma often continue to have intense, intrusive, and disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience. These can last long after the traumatic event has occurred. The individual may:

• Relive the event through flashbacks
• Have feelings of sadness, fear, or anger
• Feel detached from other people
• Avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event

Every day stressful situations may increase and become magnified until they begin to cause problems like sleep disturbance, moodiness, irritability, and lack of concentration. If left untreated, physical symptoms may develop and worsen the situation, and can also negatively impact relationships. We treat chronic and acute stress, utilizing different therapeutic approaches, and encourage the use of outside resources which can complement treatment.

Sometimes work causes difficulties that can affect other aspects of life. Some specific causes of stress can include a lack of control over the work environment, being bombarded by technology, lack of resources, insufficient time allotment, workplace changes, problematic co-workers, downsizing, and inadequate working conditions.

Many people grow up believing themselves to be unworthy or inadequate. If left untreated, these self-perceptions can affect marriages, relationships, parenthood, careers, and so on. Self-esteem issues are often a significant component of other behavioral health concerns, and can stem from, or lead to, other behavioral health conditions. If this describes you, therapy can be beneficial.