Success Stories

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 He had withdrawn from his family and friends, quit his volunteer work and consulting opportunities, and spent more time at home watching the news and worrying about all the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.

Johnathan A 47-year-old man presented with depression and anxiety related to problems at work. He was a successful corporate executive who specialized in financial consulting and had the underlying intellectual potential to become the CEO of the company However, he had a series of “problems with superiors” at work that impaired his advancement up the corporate ladder and led to his switching companies every year or two, moving laterally as opposed to advancing his career path. Based on our first session it was revealed that his parents separated and divorced when he was younger, and he his father would only see him once per year. As these memories emerged during the course ofour first session the patient expressed great feelings of anger toward his father for abandoning the family and suffered from abandonment issues. Studies show that experiencing parental death or divorce in childhood increases the risk of developing a mental health condition. In fact, children who are parentally bereaved have higher rates of depression, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and functional limitation. We diagnosed him both with depression and anxiety and was placed on Lorazepam and Zoloft, which were increased over the first month until he felt better. We used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that focuses on singling out patterns of negative thinking and behavior and replacing them with positive ideas and actions. Johnathan now just received a promotion, is enjoying his work, and has lost the “edge” that had complicated his prior relationship with superiors. He no longer takes the Lorazepam, and his Zoloft dosage has been reduced.

Erin was a young woman with everything going for her, or so it seemed to those who made her acquaintance. She had a bright future ahead of her, with a promising career and a wealthy upbringing. However, as with so many of our patients, she came to us with an immense sadness and depression weighing on her heart. “I grew up being told by my parents that I was destined for greatness – that I could do anything,” she lamented to me. “They doled out all of these compliments without giving me any tools to make it happen for myself. Now, three years out of college, I’m stuck in a mindless corporate sales job.” Upon hearing her story, we knew that we needed to do some serious work together to help her overcome her negative feelings and patterns of thinking. Erin’s entitlement had caused her to become a classic example of behavioral dysregulation. Over the next few months, we worked together towards a single goal: for her to take responsibility for her own life and happiness. Unfortunately, Erin found herself struggling as her friends began to secure high-paying jobs. Her difficulty in initially establishing a career path was simple: she was not sure what she wanted to do. If she had attributed this fact as the core reason for the lack of runaway success that her friends were experiencing, then her solution would have been just as simple: take steps to find where your interests may lie and pursue them. However, her entitlement had led her to believe that she was entitled to a certain kind of lifestyle post-college, and she was now faced with the full reality of her extreme narcissistic injury – a blow to her self-esteem – in her transition from top of her class to the bottom of the heap in the working world. Erin’s entitlement originated with her parents’ doting comments given throughout her upbringing. Coming from a family of high achievers and being surrounded by equally successful friends only added to her belief that things would come easy. When she entered the real world, first as a waitress for a high-end restaurant, she was confronted with the fact that the world didn’t owe her a thing, and it had thrown her into a deep depression. In the months before she came to see me, Erin had been sabotaging her chances for a bright future by placing the blame firmly on others. Despite Erin’s depression, we felt energized by the opportunity to help her take control of her life for the first time ever. At Journey Psych, we focus our entire energy on healing our patients, and life-changing results will follow. That’s why we are so intent upon doing whatever it takes for those who come to see us, and that’s what we wanted to offer Erin. We began treatment with antidepressant medication and intensive psychotherapy, providing emotional support for Erin to develop an open, safe, and empathetic therapeutic relationship. We then transitioned to a deeper therapy, where Erin began to explore the unconscious origins of her conflicts. Through our work together, she began to accept that nothing was guaranteed in life, and that you have to work for what you want. Together, we walked through the ways in which Erin’s entitlement had led her to self-sabotage her own future. Erin centered around both repertoires of behavior and narratives she played in her head. Repertoires of behavior are ways we act which are comfortable and familiar, learned over the years, but which may worsen our prospects in the present. Because Erin had grown up with two parents who openly idealized her at every opportunity, she’d developed entitlement-driven behaviors in adulthood that felt easy and comfortable, but which did not make life very easy for her at all. Erin also played out certain narratives in her head. Because she grew up believing that she was an enormously talented, bright, and confident woman, she was very sensitive to harsh comments made by others. Together, we shifted her narratives in a way that they became less personalized and more realistic, and she learned that often, when people are short with us or tell us something negative, their behavior is less a reflection of us than a reflection of them and what they might be going through. In other words, “it’s not personal; it has to do with them in the context of their own life struggles and personalities.” Perhaps you know someone in your life who is struggling with similar issues. Remember, it’s never too late to take control of your life – and with the right guidance and support, anything is possible. Erin’s story is a common one – despite the many opportunities and advantages she had in life, she felt lost and unhappy. She believed that her expensive degree and privileged upbringing entitled her to a certain kind of lifestyle after college, but when she found herself in a mindless corporate sales job, she realized that things weren’t going to be as easy as she thought. Her feelings of entitlement had caused her to become a classic behavioral dysregulation, and she was struggling to take responsibility for her own life and happiness. At Journey Psych, we specialize in helping patients like Erin overcome these types of challenges. We began her treatment with antidepressant medication and intensive psychotherapy, and we provided her with emotional support to develop an open, safe, and empathetic therapeutic relationship. We then delved deeper into her unconscious conflicts and helped her explore the origins of her entitlement-driven behaviors and narratives. Through our work together, Erin started to accept that nothing was guaranteed in life and that she had to work for what she wanted. We helped her shift her narratives so that they became less personalized and more realistic, and she learned to not take other people’s negative comments personally. Over time, she was able to let go of her feelings of entitlement and focus on building a fulfilling career in advertising.