What is depression? It is a chronic  DSM-V defined mental illness. Depression can come in many disguises. (Hypothyroidism, MS, Cancer, etc.)   It usually takes a very skilled eye to recognize, diagnose, and treat this illness. Please be sure you see a physician. Make sure that the clinician, particularly Psychiatrist, is well-trained, and up-to-date in the current literature. Let’s review right quick.

Depression: (DSM V criteria)

You must be sad/depressed for at least two weeks or experiencing what we call anhedonia. (loss of interest in just bout everything) for at least two weeks. You must also have about (5) of the following:

Sleep (too much or too little)

Interest (loss of interest in all things)

Guilt (hopeless/helpless)

Energy (low energy=anergia)

Concentration (problems concentrating)

Appetite (eating too much or too little)

Suicide (suicidal ideation or plans)

Now once you’ve been diagnosed, now treatment. How do we treat this disease?   Many of you are familiar with pharmacotherapy-medications.  (SSRIs like Prozac or Lexapro) Therapy is also very important. We have had great success with CBT. (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) This type of therapy employs homework to help patients capture their “negative thoughts” and retrain their thinking. We can also use photo-therapy in the winter.(Light Therapy)  These are those wonderful lights that you can use each morning to get your day started. We now have the great TMS (Trans-cranial  Magnetic Stimulation).  This is a magnetic method used to stimulate small portions of the brain to treat depression. Yes, it works. We have a lot of innovative treatments now available.  However, first get a proper evaluation by a licensed and trained physician.

Also, let your doctor know if  immediately if you are feeling or becoming overwhelmed.

If you need some assistance locating a facility in your area, feel free to contact NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness at 1-800-950-NAMI. Monday-Friday EST 10:00am-6:00pm.

I am also available at 404-575-4785 if you want to come in for an evaluation in Atlanta, GA.

Thanks,
Dr.O

The post Depression: The Silent Killer first appeared on Ask Dr. O.

Points.

1. First love yourself.
2. Detox from previous bad relationships
3. Be comfortable with (self)  periods of silence
4. Don’t appear too hungry for attention/love
5. Watch your attitude
6. Be sure that you are ready for commitment
7. Stop jumping in and out of relationships
8. Read more self-help books
9. Develop your Spirituality
10. Take a vacation

Now I always use a little humor in my post. The essence of the above list is mostly to prepare you for love. Many people are not ready to move to the next stage-TRUE LOVE. If you are emotionally unbalanced, you will make a terrible spouse, lover or even friend. Most marriages don’t last because pre-marital counseling never occurred. Transparency in the beginning is essential. Moving from boo to bae can be dangerous. No one really wants to be in an abusive relationship, but it happens. What are sone signs that your “love interest” might not be healthy:

1. Thirsty
2. Excessive texts and phone-calls throughout the day
3. Thirsty
4. Trust Issues early on in the relationship
5. Thirsty
6. Paranoid Ideation about everything
7. Thirsty
8. Clingy and needy
9. Thirsty
10. Mood Swings

If you really like a person, but there are some “bad” warning signs, RUN!  You really can’t change a person. (Even if you are a therapist) No matter how good those short intimate moments maybe. Enter in with caution. I must remind you of this because trouble could be soon down the road. Many people need a course of therapy before a “corrective emotional experience” can occur. I am not saying people can’t change,  I am saying that it takes work.

If you need some work in therapy or have a experienced a bad break-up,  feel free to call me at 404-575-4785 to set up a consultation. Meanwhile peruse the site, Askdro.com, for more hot topics on this issues. Don’t forget to pick-up my book “Am I in a Bad Relationship?” There a still  few copies left.LOL

Thanks for stopping by,

DrO

The post Love Jones: From Boo to Bae A Cautionary Tale first appeared on Ask Dr. O.

It is perfectly okay to remember loved ones who have gone on. The emotions attacked to those memories can be fun, happy, sad, painful and everlasting. However, you may experience them, they are still there and present. If you are a human, you most likely have the capacity to feel. They are a few of us that are more sensitive than others, and that is okay. You may find yourself riding down the road and thinking about Mom or Dad and the tears start to flow. That is alright. Yes, you miss that grandma who made that special peach cobbler or sweet tea on Easter Sunday. That is also okay. It is alright to love and alright to feel.

How do you get over the loss of a loved one. You don’t. You simply get use to it, but most of us never really get over them. We will always smell them in the back of our minds. They weill always have that special place in our hearts. We get that special sense of reassurance when we feel like they are they or looking over our shoulders. We can forge through a difficult time when we sense the “peace” of knowing that the are and will be always on our side. Yes, they had that unconditional love. That is why we loved them and miss them. Untamed Grief and all that bad we placed into perspective.

If you need to talk or process a little more feel free to call  404-575-4785 to schedule a consultation. Also, hang-out on the site a while there are other articles on askdro.com dealign with this subject matter.

Hang in there,

DrO

The post Untamed Grief: Loss of a Loved One first appeared on Ask Dr. O.

Yes, we have therapies and medication to treat the storm of depression. However, I must share that the pain is real. This disease has been called out as a “black hole.” It can also be referred to as an “inferno” with very little peace. Many patients endure it for years. They come for years to therapy, with the hopes of getting better. Many do get better. They are a few that may lose hope, but the struggle is real.

I would be remise to tell you that everyone gets out safe. There are some that are trapped by their past trauma. They eventually do get out, but only after they allow their minds to become free. Yes, they can rise and say farewell to their pain. Sometimes, their bones still feel the chill of the air from the past. It is hard to shake-off what pain there may be from childhood. Yes, it may be difficult to picture yourself in a sea of lilies of the field in the color purple. Yes, it may be difficult to picture yourself on a yacht in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. There is freedom from your storm if you believe that you can be free. The challenge of most people is that they choose to stay locked in the shadows of their past pains and sorrows.

You can be free when you except the joy that comes with your own inner peace.

“Weeping May endure for a night but Joy Cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)

If you need more help feel free to call 404-575-4785 for more counseling to help.  Also there are more helpful article on askdro.com. We are here to help you.

Dr.O

The post Walking Through Your Storm… Depression first appeared on Ask Dr. O.

Over the weekend controversy struck in Atlanta when protestors gathered in front of Houston’s Restaurant on Lenox Road due to accusations of discrimination.  The protest stemmed from an Instagram post made by Ernestine Johnson (actress, performance poet, and event host) stating that she felt discriminated against when she arrived at the restaurant with a party of seven and was denied seating.

Johnson took to social media stating “We had a party of 7 and were told they do not seat more than 6.  We said fine we will seat 4 and 3 at separate tables.  They said we don’t split tables. I said we aren’t asking you to split tables we are separating ourselves and we are completely fine with different checks and different sections.  They said no and still refused us! When asked why they had no sound reason.  I felt completely disrespected at a business that I have been patronizing for years! Has anyone else ever felt discriminated against at this business?”

Apparently, others have felt that same discrimination. On this past Saturday a group was organized to boycott the restaurant and people showed up in droves.  The restaurant was closed in anticipation of the boycott.

Houston’s Restaurant also took to social media to defend their action and their brand. In an Instagram post Houston’s stated:

“We have employed a diverse, hard-working staff serving Atlanta’s similarly diverse clientele for many years. Charges of discrimination are not only unfounded but are are an intentional manipulation using social media. Our policies and guidelines apply equally to everyone. Our restaurants are not setup to accommodate large parties together.  Our Houston’s in Atlanta recently instituted a policy whereby large parties of 7 or more will not be split into separate groups at different tables, which means that larger groups may not be able to dine with us at certain times.  We decided to close our Lenox Houston’s today from the anticipation of protest and threats made against the restaurant and staff members.  We will always choose the side of caution when it comes to protecting our valued staff and guests.”

In the mix of all the social media hype were Atlanta natives and Hip Hop heavyweights T.I. and Killer Mike.  T.I. while present at the boycott took to IG and posted the following: Sorry they closed ma’am.  No spinach dip today!!! #ShutItDown #HoustonsWeHaveAProblem #BoycottHoustons #UsorElse. Check out more on BOSSIP click here:  https://bossip.com/1591213/sunken-spinach-dip-houstons-has-a-problem-protest-led-by-t-i-shuts-down-atl-eatery/

While Killer Mike posted: “Houston’s is a restaurant that is supported by the black dollar in Atlanta and supported by the entertainment dollar especially.  I just call on entertainers and other members of Atlanta who are for justice and right—black or white—and black Atlanta in particular.  Not only boycott Houston’s but find a black restaurant to support or one that treats your community well.  Me personally, I haven’t been to Houston’s in three or four years.”

While Social Media seems to be the “New Normal” when it comes to getting all the latest information regarding gossip, tragedy, or controversy it also seems to be the quickest way to get people’s attention and call them to action.

The post Social Media The New Civil Rights Movement first appeared on Ask Dr. O.

DrO
@shrinkATL

www.psychiatryofatlanta.com

The post Is Sadness and Depression the Same? first appeared on Ask Dr. O.

For a long time, people have just sat and worked in ministries  suffering from active mental illnesses. I have received numerous inbox messages asking the dreaded question,”Can you be saved and suffer from mental illness?” The answer is emphatically yes. There are people that have anxiety, depression ,and a few may even have a psychotic disorder, that attend church regularly and live a somewhat normal lives.

The difference is-most in the above group get medical treatment. It is now very important that pastors, and other church leaders, as well,  help attack the stigma that illnesses such as depression and Schizophrenia are  taboo.

To do this, some level of basic training on mental health nomenclature may be needed. This is important. I believe that all churches need a least one licensed and trained  pastoral counselor per 100/members. Yes, I said it and they can budget this staff annually based on membership growth projections.

In a study on Suicide and the Church by LifeWay Research (09/2017) it stated, “Only 41% of pastors have received formal training in suicide prevention.”

This is very serious. The other startling statistic is the exponential increase in the number of pastors completing suicide while leading a ministry.

In reference to pastors an interesting article written several years ago in Charisma (12/11/13) “According to the Schaeffer Institute, 70 percent of pastors constantly fight depression, and 71% are burned out. Meanwhile, 72 percent of pastors say they only study the Bible when they are preparing sermons and 70 percent say that they don’t have a close friend.”

In essence, I won’t belabor the point but depression has come to the church. Pastors you’ve got to do something about it. What is worse, many of the people with mental illness are working in and around our churches and causing chaos and havoc.

I’m available to help,
DrO (Shrink ATL)

The post Help! I’m Depressed and Working in The Church first appeared on Ask Dr. O.

1. We all have a need to be loved. With this some will accept maltreatment of even be dogged-out by someone whom you know doesn’t really love you.
2. Fear of being alone. This is a truth that many are afraid to face. Many people are uncomfortable with those few moments of silence with “thyself.”  After all, this can be a time of self-reflection and God knows just what you may discover with a few moments of introspection.
3. Low Self-Esteem. This is a serious issue. Many people need others to validate who they are and why they even exist. They may or may not get this from their relationship, but some people are willing to “wait for it”even if it doesn’t come regularly.
4.  A Piece of Man or Woman. (Intimacy and Sex)Yes, it is true there are still people that will accept a “piece” and have no “peace” rather than be alone. There are a lot of couples that have bad intimacy and relations. There are still married couples that have no sex. Statistics state that approximately 75% of women never reach orgasm from sexual intercourse alone. This is dismal and can lead to workplace and church place frustration and aggression.

So getting back to the question, what might be some indications that it is time to go:

1. Any form of verbal, physical, emotional or financial abuse
2. Constant arguing
3. Poor, lack-of and or no communication
4. No sex
5. No sex
6. No sex
7. Irreconcilable differences
8. Recurrent cheating*
9. Absence of Connection
10. Bad breath

* To be defined by the couple

Now, I am sure that the post will stir up a lot of controversy. However, what would you do if you caught your spouse cheating in your bed when you came home early from work?

For more help, feel free to check out

www.psychiatryofatlanta.com

Thanks for stopping by,

DrO

@AskDrO

@Shrink ATL

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The post How Long Should I Stay in a Bad Relationship first appeared on Ask Dr. O.