Journey Psyche

Adil is the owner of a vacation rental company located in Phoenix, Arizona. During his first session, he introduced himself in a formal manner and shared his story. Adil’s career has taken him all over the world, and he works directly with the executive team at Airbnb. However, his growing business is heavily influenced by the economy and travel industry when Covid 19 hit, which can be stressful at times. Unfortunately, Adil had become a shadow of his former self – his anxiety had become so severe that being in his presence made me anxious too, which helped me to empathize with him better. He had withdrawn from his family and friends, quit his volunteer work and consulting opportunities, and spent more time at home watching the news and worrying about all the negative effects of the Covid 19 era on the vacation rental industry. Adil’s situation is not uncommon. He tried to ignore his anxiety for years, but it had reached a point where it was becoming debilitating. At Journey Psyche we understand why high achievers like Adil put off seeking treatment: it’s easier to ignore an undiagnosed issue. However, once you put a name to an illness, pretending that everything is fine is no longer an option. If you don’t seek treatment at that point, it’s a conscious choice that can be tough to come to terms with. Seeking treatment for any illness, especially mental illness, can cause changes to your lifestyle and self-concept. Adil feared these changes and was afraid that treatment would prevent him from achieving his goals. In reality, his lack of treatment was holding him back, and he was slowly sabotaging his life. It was time to do something. Adil was self-sabotaging his life, which we call behavioral dysregulation. To help him regain control of his life, we wanted to understand what had triggered his decline. Firstly, he had experienced a falling out with his partner in the vacation rental business, and his best friend from high school had lost his battle to cancer. He was feeling all-too-mortal and lacked meaning and purpose in his life. We would address his life-stage issues later once we had sorted out his neurobiology. Adil had previously undergone medication trials, but they hadn’t helped alleviate his symptoms of anxiety, mild depression, and insomnia. So, we started him on Fluoxetine and Trazodone to help with his sleep. Based on his medical records, Adil had a double mutation with the MTHFR gene. This meant that he was at risk of producing lower levels of an enzyme crucial to maintaining our mental health. To address this, Adil began taking L-methyl folate supplements. As we monitored Adil’s progress on his new medications and lifestyle changes, we also addressed his life-stage crisis in psychotherapy. Gradually, as he began to feel better, he was able to move from purely supportive therapy to an insight-oriented one. After several months of treatment, he began to re-engage with life, started making more time for himself and his family, and literally reclaimed the life he was supposed to live.

Katie is a 27 -year-old woman who recently came to Journey Psyche seeking help for her Adult ADHD, predominantly inattentive type. She was experiencing various symptoms such as trouble focusing, being easily distracted, procrastination, difficulty with organization, messiness, and impulsivity. She also suffered from depression and low self-esteem for the past five years, which was further complicated by her recent break-up from a long-term relationship. During our initial session, we discovered that Katie had exhibited symptoms of inattentive ADHD as a child. Her teachers often commented on her lack of focus and procrastination and noted that she was not working up to her potential. However, despite being prescribed Adderall and Zoloft, Katie’s condition did not improve, and she began experiencing mood swings and irritability. She also had frequent mood swings, spent too much money, and engaged in cleaning binges. Her thoughts raced constantly, and she experienced depression and suicidal thoughts during times of high energy. After careful evaluation, we realized that Katie’s condition was more complicated than just ADHD. It appeared that her symptoms had evolved into what looked like Bipolar 2 Disorder with rapid cycling, and she was often in a “mixed episode” experiencing symptoms of both depression and hypomania. We ordered a complete physical examination and blood tests to rule out any physical causes, and the results were normal. We then decided to take her off Adderall and Zoloft, which were worsening her condition, and started prescribing Lamictal, a medication that has both mood stabilizing and antidepressant effects. We also began weekly psychotherapy sessions to help stabilize her mood and address her ADHD. After a month of treatment, her mental confusion began to clear, and her mood lifted and stabilized. We then initiated treatment of her ADHD with Adderall XR 20MG long-acting medication and eventually added 20MG Adderall IR in the afternoons to help her stay focused until 9 PM. We also gave her practical advice on building routines to organize her household and carry out daily housekeeping duties. As her mental function cleared, we began exploring possible career moves and established an empathic rapport around the challenges of raising two young children. Eventually, Katie landed a full-time corporate manager position at work, and she was thrilled to share the news with us. She was now poised to assume greater responsibility and independence in her life and was beaming with joy. Katie’s condition was a result of both her ADHD and mood disorder, and the medications she had been taking had worsened both her mood stability and ADHD symptoms. With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, we were able to help Katie stabilize her mood, improve her focus, and achieve her goals. We have had the privilege of treating over 100 patients with coexisting ADHD and BMD. Our experience has shown that this condition, though challenging, can be treated successfully with proper diagnosis and treatment. It’s essential to address the BMD first before treating ADHD, as ADHD medication may worsen the BMD or lead to mania. Our patients’ outcomes have been overwhelmingly positive thus far. Many of them have shared success stories like Katie’s. Most importantly, they report feeling more stable and confident in fulfilling their roles as spouses, parents, and employees. It’s hard to say whether this improvement is due to enhanced mood stability or better medication compliance resulting from ADHD treatment. However, the key is recognizing both diagnoses’ presence and treating them independently but in a coordinated manner. If your suffering similar issues or you think you have ADHD and potential other disorders, we can help call -800-955-0167 or Go to www.journeypsyche.com

Amanda came to us feeling anxious and manic. Her first virtual appointment with Journey Psyche Amanda had to cancel because she overslept twice. Finally, at our initial session She shared that she was taking Prozac 20 mg per day, but it was not helping her condition. In fact, it was making her feel more anxious and hyperactive. She had also tried Wellbutrin in the past, but it resulted in sweating, insomnia, and agitation. Her depression was worsening despite the medication, and she had a history of mood swings for many years. Additionally, she had a history of alcohol abuse during her teenage years. After taking a detailed medical history, we suspected that Amanda might be suffering from Manic Depressive / Bipolar Disorder. There was a family history of severe mood swings in both her father and paternal grandmother. The grandmother had been hospitalized for an unknown reason and the family didn’t want to talk about it as they found it shameful. We discontinued Prozac as it seemed to be worsening her mood swings. Instead, we started her on Seroquel 100 mg at bedtime along with weekly psychotherapy sessions. Within two weeks, she started showing significant improvement. Her thinking was clearer, she was more productive, and had more energy. Within six weeks of the treatment, Amanda was feeling terrific. At Journey Psyche, if you are or someone you know have been suffering from similar issues like Amanda, we can help Call 800-955-0167 or go to www.journeypsyche.com

Veronica’s story is a powerful reminder that our physical and mental health are deeply interconnected. When she first came to see us at age 38, she was struggling with a range of symptoms that were taking a toll on her ability to live a normal life. Despite achieving a Post-Masters in Engineer Management and working in a prominent field, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. With a history of childhood ADHD and a weight gain of 100 pounds, Veronica was understandably frustrated and in pain. During our first session, Veronica broke down in tears, asking if there was any hope for her recovery. We knew that this time, her treatment would need to be different. We recommended a combination of medication, including Latuda 20 MG, to help manage her bipolar depression without causing weight gain. We also suggested a Mediterranean die, and the all-natural supplement Berberine to help with weight loss and control her blood sugar. Slowly but surely, Veronica began to see progress. As she shed over 70 pounds, Veronica’s overall health improved dramatically. Not only did she have more energy, but the inflammation in her body began to subside, leading to better brain cell function and an improved sense of well-being. Over the course of 18 months, Veronica transformed both mentally and physically. Her journey also serves as a reminder that our physical health can have a profound impact on our emotional well-being. By taking care of our bodies, we can improve our self-esteem and overall sense of happiness. As Veronica learned, the journey to recovery may be long, but it starts with a single step. If you’re looking to lose or control your weight while struggling with a mental disorder, Journey Psyche can guide you towards physical and mental wellness. Contact us at 800-955-0167 or visit www.journeypsyche.com.

Mark’s story is a testament to the fact that depression can affect anyone, regardless of their success or achievements. In his case, despite having a loving family and a thriving landscaping company, Mark had been struggling with depression for a long time. He realized that if he didn’t seek help, he risked losing everything he had worked so hard for. Mark’s journey towards recovery was not an easy one, but it was worth it. We started by testing his TSH levels and discovered that he had Hypothyroidism, which can contribute to depression. We then worked towards diagnosing him with Persistent Depressive Disorder, a condition that affects people for more than two years. We helped Mark identify the underlying issues that were contributing to his depression and helped him make positive changes to his lifestyle. We also prescribed him medication and provided him with psychotherapy and coping skills. Mark’s progress was remarkable. Within a month, he had lost 23 pounds and had resumed pursuing the growth of his company. Within two months, he had fully recovered and felt better than he had in a long time. By the end of three months, he was back to his old self and had a new lease on life. Mark’s story is a reminder that depression is a treatable condition, and seeking help is the first step towards a better future. It is important to note that even mild cases of underactive thyroid can lead to problems. While more severe hypothyroidism may result in more depressive symptoms, subclinical hypothyroidism can also be linked to depression. Subclinical hypothyroidism is a condition in which TSH levels are on the higher end of the normal range or just above normal. According to research, 63.5% of participants who had subclinical thyroid problems or symptoms of an underactive thyroid exhibited symptoms of depression. Although treatment with thyroid hormone led to some relief, it was not enough to induce full recovery on its own.

Abbey is a successful 51-year-old Risk Manager who shared her struggles with her primary care doctor. Her husband had been complaining that she has ADHD and couldn’t live with her anymore. Abbey was also experiencing symptoms of anxiety, stress, and mild depression. Her doctor prescribed Zoloft 100 mg a day to help her cope with these symptoms. Abbey had a history of tightness in her chest, anxiety attacks, and rejection sensitivity. She reported feeling somewhat better on the Zoloft, but she still had fluctuating problems with attention, difficulty in organizing her work and home, being easily distracted, jumping from task to task without completion, interrupting others, acting before thinking, irritability, impatience, messiness, and mental fatigue. Abbey had earned her master’s degree from USC and worked as a Risk Manager at a large corporation. However, she struggled with her work due to her symptoms. Although she had previously tried Ritalin, it was ineffective and made her feel like she had a weight on her head. The preliminary diagnosis was ADHD predominantly inattentive type, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder. Abbey also revealed that she hoarded “everything,” took 30-minute showers, brushed her teeth for 10 minutes twice a day, and was a “collector.” She was worried about being a pathological hoarder or having OCD. To help her cope with her symptoms, Abbey was prescribed Vyvanse 30 mg once a day to treat her ADHD and started psychotherapy. On Vyvanse, she experienced improved attention, less distractibility, better organization abilities, less irritability, kept a more orderly home, and reported reduced mental fatigue. After two months, Abbey’s dosage of Vyvanse was increased to 30 mg twice a day as she reported doing well on these medications. Additionally, Zoloft was gradually increased up to 150 mg a day. Abbey felt calmer and more personable, as well as more focused and disciplined on this current dose. As a result, Abbey was promoted and continues to work at the corporation to this day. She has received top performance reviews and is thriving both personally and professionally. It’s important to be aware that individuals with ADHD often experience additional psychiatric disorders throughout their lifetime. Research has shown that approximately 80 percent of people with ADHD will have at least one other psychiatric disorder at some point in their lives, with the most common being depression and anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Depression is particularly prevalent in those with ADHD, with about 30 percent of individuals experiencing a depressive episode at some point in their lives. This can either be independent of ADHD or can result from ADHD symptoms. Moreover, ADHD can have a significant impact on the course of depression, with studies consistently finding more depressive symptoms in individuals with ADHD than in those without it. Furthermore, the severity of ADHD symptoms is correlated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. When individuals have both ADHD and depression, the symptoms of both conditions can be worse than if they had either disorder alone. At Journey Psyche, we aim to help individuals with multiple psychiatric disorders, just like Abbey. We understand how challenging it can be to manage these disorders, and we are committed to helping our patients get back to living a fulfilling life. If you or a loved one is struggling with ADHD or any other psychiatric disorder, do not hesitate to reach out to us at 800-955-0167 or visit our website at www.journeypsyche.com.

Julie, a 31-year-old manager, works as the office manager at the States Driver’s License Office. She has a history of anxiety, including choking spells, social anxiety, fear of swallowing, flying, seeing doctors, and losing control. She also experiences anxiety before meetings and speaking in front of others. Julie revealed a history of alcohol abuse and anger outbursts, but no mood swings or irritability. Her family history was unremarkable for anxiety or depression. Following her diagnosis of panic disorder, including symptoms of social anxiety, anticipatory anxiety, multiple phobias, and stage fright, we began treatment with clonazepam 0.5 mg twice a day, Viibryd 40 mg a day, and Lamictal 100 mg a day. After one month, we assessed the effects of these medications and found that they had significantly improved her general anxiety. However, Julie still experienced fear of speaking at conferences and disciplining her coworkers. To address these issues, we began weekly EMDR therapy sessions. After four months of medication and EMDR therapy, Julie reported feeling great. She noted that she was not very nervous at a management meeting the day before and willingly contributed to the discussion. Six months later, Julie was very energetic and had just returned from a trip to San Francisco, admitting she had no fears of flying. Overall, Julie’s treatment plan was successful in addressing her anxiety symptoms and improving her quality of life.