Someone I Love Is Experiencing Dissociation: How Can I Help?

Someone I Love Is Experiencing Dissociation: How Can I Help?

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Watching a loved one go through a mental health crisis or learn to manage a new diagnosis can be challenging. You want to help but may not know how. Unfortunately, someone struggling with a mental illness, such as dissociation disorder, must be willing and open to help. If not, the assistance will not fix anything. However, if your loved one has asked for help or is open to it, there are ways you can encourage and help them while they learn to manage their dissociation.

What Is Dissociation?

Your mind and body may do things without your conscious realization to protect you. This usually happens in moments of severe trauma. Dissociation is one of those steps your brain takes. When someone is dissociating, they disconnect from their thoughts, feeling, memories, or sense of identity.

The Range of Dissociation Disorders

While a person can dissociate to protect themselves, some people with severe trauma may develop one of three dissociative disorders. It is essential to be educated on what your loved one is experiencing if you want to provide help. 

Dissociative Amnesia

With dissociative amnesia, a person realizes they are experiencing a lapse in memory. However, the event was so traumatic or stressful that the person dissociates. This can cause memory loss for days, weeks, and sometimes years. Dissociative amnesia can cause patchy memories, trouble remembering entire life events, and specific memory loss, like a person or year.

Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder

When someone has this type of dissociative disorder, they report feeling detached from their own life. People may feel like they do not know or recognize themselves. This can cause further issues engaging in their lives. Someone with depersonalization-derealization disorder may struggle with concentrating and memory retention.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Previously known as multiple personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder (DID) is where someone develops one or more identities or personalities. However, dissociative identity is more accurate to what occurs for a person with DID.

A person with multiple identities may switch between them involuntarily. They can have different characters, ways of acting, or body movement. DID is the body’s way of coping with extreme trauma. When a person switches from one identity to another, it protects the first identity from having to experience or remember the event. 

Tips for Helping a Loved One With Dissociation

If someone is experiencing dissociation, that can be a sign of a deeper issue. Dissociation symptoms, in some cases, mimic depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or DID. Encouraging your loved one to seek treatment may be the best option. However, there are small things you can do to help.

Grounding Techniques

An aspect of dissociation is a disconnection from reality. It can therefore be helpful for the person to practice grounding techniques or coping skills. The purpose of grounding techniques is to help a person connect back to the physical world. This can help them reconnect their mind to the present. 

Examples of grounding techniques include the following: 

  • Sitting outside with the person, legs in the grass or on concrete, putting pressure on or massaging their hands
  • Having the person sit on a chair, feet flat on the ground, hands flat on thighs, and put mild pressure onto their shoulders
  • Mental games or puzzles, such as counting, reciting something, describing objects, or describing objects around the person 

Decrease Stressors

Increases in stress can cause a person to dissociate. Help your loved one to lessen the frequency of dissociation by finding ways to decrease stressors. You can do small things or help them with the thing that causes extreme anxiety, such as grocery shopping. Also, allowing them room to make mistakes or not be present is important in alleviating stress. 

Let Them Complete Tasks by Themselves

Since an aspect of dissociative disorders is a lack of identity or connection to themselves, you can help a loved one by encouraging them to do things for themselves. This can help them be more in the present. These do not have to be difficult tasks, but smaller ones, like caring for their living area. 

Treatment Programs That Help With Dissociation

Encouraging a loved one to seek treatment may include helping them research treatment options. There are many programs and facilities out there, and it can be hard to know which one to choose. Alter Behavioral Health is an excellent place to start. Depending on your loved ones’ needs or disorders, there are two avenues they can take.

Inpatient

While in inpatient programs, a person will work on building trust between them and their therapist and treatment team. With trust, they can work together to identify sources of trauma and stabilize emotions. Having healthy, consistent meals, rest, physical care, and overall wellness allow a person to focus on healing while still getting all their needs met. 

The Irvine residential program provides consistent monitoring. This is another benefit, as someone who struggles with dissociation or a dissociative disorder may also engage in self-harm. Alter Behavioral Health helps a person plan and stick to a plan of safety.

Outpatient

Some trauma can stick with you for life. Ongoing care, with psychotherapy and medication management, can be found in the outpatient program at Alter Behavioral Health, located in Laguna Beach. 

Outpatient treatment is designed to support a person with their symptoms while living their lives. To combat regression, retraumatization, or stressors inducing disorder symptoms, continued outpatient treatment can be extremely beneficial. Facilities offer different options for outpatient treatment, usually combining a couple of hours of group therapy and individual therapy sessions. This support lasts for as long as the person needs to heal. 

Are you struggling with knowing where to start with mental health treatment? Does it feel like all of the facilities promise the same outcomes? With Alter Behavioral Health, there are no false promises but achievable outcomes. Through highly structured clinical programs, evidence-based interventions, and a focus on maintaining and improving functioning abilities, you receive the help you specifically need. At Alter Behavioral Health, our compassionate team is waiting for you and your loved ones to lean on. No one should have to manage a mental health disorder alone. Our team is here for you. Contact us today at (866) 691-4386 to start the conversation. Let our team welcome you and help you start working towards your goals.

How Can CBT Help Me Prioritize My Mental Health?

How Can CBT Help Me Prioritize My Mental Health?

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Before COVID, it was not uncommon for a person to be told they could only take a certain number of sick days. It was a bit taboo to use those days for mental health care. Since the pandemic has exposed everyone to new viruses and stressors, it has also revealed the need to care for your mental health. Through different psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a person can learn to manage their emotions and prioritize their mental health.

How Can CBT Help?

To help alleviate thoughts and pressure from stress, CBT aims to help you:

  • Become aware of automatic, inaccurate, and harmful ways of thinking
  • Come to understand how your thoughts affect your emotions 
  • Understand that your emotions affect your behavior
  • Learn to question inaccurate thoughts
  • Change self-defeating patterns

Treating Mental Health Disorders With CBT

Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression have inaccurate thinking patterns that increase the symptoms of the disorder. By engaging in CBT, a person can learn to identify and manage their thoughts.  

Other mental health disorders can benefit from CBT, such as: 

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Dissociative identity disorder

Evidence has shown CBT to be effective in treating disorders that disrupt thoughts and emotions, making it a widely used therapy model. Some therapies come from the CBT model, like exposure therapy or motivational interviewing (MI). Combined together or used with other forms of therapy, a person can find help for their unique needs.

How to Know if CBT Treatment Is Right for You?

In a quality treatment program, such as Alter Behavioral Health, “Accurate diagnosis is where treatment starts.” Many people struggle with an anxiety disorder, but anxiety can also be a symptom of different disorders. PTSD can present as depression. Dissociative disorders can look like anxiety disorders. Sadly, due to human error and not using the latest discoveries in mental health science, some treatment facilities or therapists may misdiagnose you. 

Starting with an accurate diagnosis, at Alter Behavioral Health, we offer you weekly meetings with your medical doctor and treatment team meetings to go over progress and needs. This is where it will be figured out if CBT is the right treatment modality for you. With the help of professionals, CBT is effective in helping to relieve anxiety.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health With Lessons Learned Through CBT

CBT teaches a person that their feelings, emotions, and behavior are all connected. Negative or inaccurate thinking like “I’m not worthy” is just that: false and negative. To help you remember that, here are five lessons you can take away from CBT.

#1. Focus On Yourself

Living your own life and finding enjoyment in it is enough work. Other people’s business, happiness, and mental health are on them to manage and take care of. You cannot always give your full energy and attention to other people. Sometimes all your energy has to be reserved for you. Especially while you are in treatment, you have to focus on yourself. Worrying about others’ thoughts, emotions, and behavior may only harm your healing.

#2. Block or Challenge Negative Thoughts

Thoughts cannot be allowed to run rampant. Negative thinking can be learned from many different areas of life, such as from abuse or bullying. Those negative thoughts are other people’s inaccurate thoughts pushed on you. By continuing to think those thoughts, you are giving those people in your past power.

Through CBT, you learn to block, challenge, or replace negative thoughts with positive or realistic thoughts. Reality-checking is a way to question yourself and ground your thoughts in what is happening. When you can see it, it is hard to argue with reality.

#3. Keep Your Body Healthy

When you go through a treatment program, you take part in more than therapy. There will also be skill-building courses or social-educational groups. One of the more important lessons may be that your brain and body are connected more than people realize.

If you are not properly fed, all of your brain’s and body’s energy goes into keeping you going. When you push your limits, your brain cannot think, focus, or make healthy decisions. All your brain power will go to keeping you alive. This is why taking care of your body’s health is just as important when prioritizing your mental health.

#4. Incorporate Healthy Life Changes

Starting with your nutrition and body health is a good place to start. However, for CBT to be effective in relieving your anxiety, you may also have to make some lifestyle changes. 

Due to psychological issues developed from trauma, people sometimes maladapt to their circumstances. Examples of this include inappropriate ways of coping, like abusing substances or sacrificing health care money to go out with friends. Learning healthier lifestyle changes, like budgeting, meal planning, and caring for your home, can help improve your overall well-being.

#5. Engage in Ongoing Therapy

When you have a mental health disorder, you have to learn to live with it. If you do not, it can control your life. Another takeaway from CBT is that sometimes you need ongoing therapy. Learning this and accepting it is important if this is the case for you.

There is no shame in continuing therapy or treatment. Many people do it, which is why there are specific programs to support you after you finish treatment. Alter Behavioral Health offers the platform Mindfuli as an accessible way to continue getting mental health care and support and a place where you can be heard.

There is so much going on in the world and a lot going on in people’s individual lives. School, work, family, romantic partners, and thinking about the future all can become intolerable when you are not giving your mental health care and attention. Prioritizing your mental health can be a challenge, but with Alter Behavioral Health healing any mental health disorder becomes approachable. With compassionate staff who use evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Alter Behavioral Health offers some of the topmost care in Orange County. Contact us today at (866) 691-4386 to start the conversation. Your healing can start sooner than you think.

The Myths and Realities of Bipolar Disorder and Its Treatments

The Myths and Realities of Bipolar Disorder and Its Treatments

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Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy, and patterns of behavior. These shifts are unusual and disorganized, contributing to increased stigma and judgment toward those with this disorder. Research by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 4.4% of adults in the U.S. will experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. Therefore, it can be extremely beneficial to learn about bipolar disorder and dispel any myths surrounding the disorder. 

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Individuals with bipolar disorder experience extreme shifts in behaviors that interfere with their ability to function normally in daily life. Contrary to what one may believe, however, there are three distinct types of bipolar disorder. All three types involve shifts in mood and energy, ranging from periods of extreme highs to periods of extreme lows. 

Periods of extreme highs are known as manic episodes and are characterized by elated, irritable, and energized behavior. Meanwhile, periods of extreme lows are known as depressive episodes and are characterized by sad, indifferent, or hopeless behaviors and emotions. When manic episodes are less severe, they are defined as hypomanic episodes. 

The NIMH highlights the three types of bipolar disorder as follows.

Bipolar I Disorder

This type of bipolar disorder is defined by extreme manic symptoms. Individuals with bipolar I disorder experience manic episodes that last nearly every day for at least seven days. Further, manic symptoms may become so severe that an individual may require immediate hospitalization or medical attention. 

Depressive episodes often follow periods of mania, typically lasting about two weeks. It is also possible for individuals to experience mixed features of mania and depression together. When a person endures four or more episodes of mania or depression in a span of one year, it is known as “rapid cycling.”

Bipolar II Disorder

This type of bipolar disorder is characterized by hypomanic and depressive episodes. The symptoms that individuals experience with bipolar II are often less severe than symptoms experienced with bipolar I. 

Cyclothymic Disorder

This type of bipolar disorder involves recurring symptoms of hypomanic and depressive symptoms but are not as intense or last as long to qualify as episodic. This condition is commonly referred to as cyclothymia. 

Dispelling the Myths of Bipolar Disorder

In a publication titled “Myths and Facts of Bipolar Disorder,” published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), author Cassandra Miasnikov addresses several myths regarding bipolar disorder. The author first addresses the myth that bipolar disorder is rare, emphasizing the prevalence discussed earlier. 

Mania and Moodiness

Another myth the author addresses is that people with bipolar disorder are just moody. In this case, it is vital to understand that the mania and depression that individuals experience with bipolar disorder are vastly different from normal fluctuations in mood. To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, individuals must exhibit extreme symptoms that last for extended periods. Often, these mood shifts are debilitating and require medical care.

The Seriousness of Manic Episodes

Additionally, the author also reacts to the myth that mania is fun and exciting. Individuals that have not experienced symptoms of mania may not understand just how serious manic episodes can be. In addition to often requiring hospitalization, manic episodes often surface a variety of symptoms that are unpleasant and out-of-control.

Individuals in a manic state may often engage in high-risk behaviors, leading to reckless decisions and abnormal risk-taking behaviors. Further, these behaviors can have long-lasting consequences and impair an individual’s relationships, career life, and overall health. The aftermath of manic behaviors can persist for years and affect all areas of functioning. 

Living a Fulfilling Life With Bipolar Disorder

Another common myth about bipolar disorder is that individuals with the disorder are unable to live happy, fulfilled lives. This could not be further from the truth. Individuals with bipolar disorder can certainly live fulfilling lives with the help of a professional treatment program. Often, treatment for bipolar disorder requires the use of both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. 

Pharmacological Interventions

Most individuals with bipolar disorder can benefit from mood-stabilizing medications. Creating a suitable medication regime can be complicated, as depressive and manic episodes often surface without warning. Antidepressant medications may also be prescribed to treat severe episodes of depression but can be problematic if used during a manic episode. In this case, it is imperative to work closely with a mental health professional to create an individualized treatment plan that fits your unique needs. 

Psychotherapy Options

Many different types of psychotherapy approaches may be used in tandem with prescription medications to improve treatment outcomes. According to the NIMH, “Psychotherapy can offer support, education, skills, and strategies to people with bipolar disorder and their families.”

The first-line psychotherapy treatment is often cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy option focuses on the role that intrusive or problematic patterns of thought contribute to overall behavior. CBT can help individuals with bipolar disorder better regulate their emotions and identify thought patterns that may trigger manic or depressive episodes.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme shifts in mood and energy. There are three types of bipolar disorder, each influenced by the intensity and duration of manic and depressive episodes. If you have bipolar disorder, it is essential to understand that you can live a happy and fulfilling life. At Alter Behavioral Health, we offer residential treatment programs for individuals with bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders. We utilize both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment approaches to ensure that you can achieve and establish lasting healing from the unmanageable symptoms of bipolar disorder. To learn more about our treatment options and programs, give us a call today at (866) 691-4386.

Managing the Co-Occurring Disorders Associated With OCD

Managing the Co-Occurring Disorders Associated With OCD

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that affects an estimated 1.2% of Americans annually. Anxiety disorders are known to co-occur with other mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUD). When one condition exists with another in tandem, it is known as a co-occurring disorder. Learning how to manage the co-occurring disorders of OCD is challenging; however, many treatment options are available. Becoming familiar with these co-occurring disorders and available treatment options can be instrumental for lasting healing and recovery. 

What Is OCD?

The National Insitute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines OCD as “a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (‘obsessions’) and/or behaviors (‘compulsions’) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.” Symptoms surface in two definable categories: obsessions and compulsions. 

Obsessions

First, obsessions are repeated – and often intrusive – thoughts and urges that enable an individual to carry out compulsive behaviors. These obsessions are often distressing and contribute to a great deal of anxiety in those with OCD. Some common examples of obsessions include:

  • Fear of contamination or germs
  • Aggressive thoughts toward self or others
  • Needing things to be organized perfectly
  • Worries about appliances being left on after use
  • Fear of acting in humiliating ways
  • Extreme concerns regarding specific superstitions, such as unlucky numbers 

Compulsions

Following obsessions, compulsive behavior occurs. Compulsive behavior is repeated behaviors that a person engages in to eliminate or quiet obsessions. Examples of compulsions linked to the aforementioned obsessions include:

  • Fear of germs: Excessive cleaning or handwashing
  • Aggression toward self or others: Potentially self-harming behaviors
  • Needing perfect organization: Ordering and arranging things in a particular or precise way
  • Worries about appliances being left on: Repeatedly checking if appliances are turned off 
  • Fear of acting in humiliating ways: Engaging in isolationist tendencies
  • Extreme concerns about specific superstitions: Tailoring behavior to avoid unlucky numbers or praying in an effort to reduce the potential harm of said superstition 

Additional Indications of OCD

It is important to understand that not all rituals or habits are necessarily compulsions. Similarly, those who engage in repeated habits do not necessarily have OCD. Some warning signs that may indicate the presence of OCD include:

  • The inability to control thoughts or behaviors, even when thoughts are excessive and interfere with daily functioning
  • Spends at least one hour a day experiencing obsessions and engaging in compulsions
  • No experience of pleasure results from performing compulsive behaviors, rather an individual may feel temporary relief from the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts
  • Symptoms interfere with the individual’s ability to function normally in daily life

Similar to other mental health disorders, there is no one cause of OCD. Research confirms that both genetic and environmental risk factors can contribute to the development of OCD. 

Additionally, it is important to understand that symptoms of OCD may range in severity and intensity. Co-occurring disorders often develop when an individual turns to destructive coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse or self-harm. 

Common Co-Occurring Disorders of OCD

There are a variety of conditions that are known to co-occur with OCD. The following are some of the most common.

Anxiety and Mood Disorders

According to Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, OCD commonly co-occurs in the context of other neuropsychiatric disorders, including other anxiety disorders and mood disorders. The journal explains that many studies have confirmed high anxiety rates in individuals with untreated OCD. Continuing, “The levels of these anxiety ratings were as high or even higher than those reported in similar studies of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and specific phobias.” 

Mood disorders are also common for those with OCD. The journal highlights that depressive features tend to surface in OCD, stating, “[M]ajor depressive disorder is the single most frequently comorbid disorder in OCD probands. Cumulatively, mood disorders occur in 50% to 90% of OCD probands.” The high prevalence of depression with OCD is caused by unwanted, upsetting obsessions. For many with OCD, the nature of obsessive thoughts is enough to trigger lasting depressive symptoms.  

Substance Use Disorders

A publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) addresses the high prevalence of SUD in those with OCD. Often, SUD develops when an individual with OCD uses alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate their symptoms. Not only does self-medicating worsen the symptoms of OCD, but it also leads to increased tolerance and withdrawal. SAMHSA explains, “[I]t has been reported that fewer than half of individuals with co-occurring OCD and SUDs seek treatment for their OCD. 

Treatment for the Co-Occurring Disorders of OCD

It is vital for those struggling with OCD to recognize that effective treatments are available. Often, the first line of treatment for anxiety disorders is medication, followed by participation in therapy. Depending on the co-occurring disorder present, the treatment will likely be similar. 

Medication

Prescription medication is a great option for those with diagnosed anxiety disorders, such as OCD. While some symptoms of anxiety surface from intrusive thought patterns, others result from neurological dysfunction and chemical imbalances. Medication can help to balance these chemicals in the brain, leading to reduced symptoms of anxiety. 

Psychotherapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

There are many effective therapies that may be used during treatment for OCD and co-occurring disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched and effective approaches for those with anxiety. CBT helps individuals to identify and overcome challenging patterns of thought and behavior. By challenging negative self-talk and other intrusive thought patterns, individuals can find relief from their OCD symptoms. 

For those with OCD and co-occurring SUD, treatment may also include detox and relapse prevention therapy. Those with co-occurring disorders can benefit greatly from individualized treatment, as treatment will be tailored to their unique needs and recovery goals.

Anxiety disorders such as OCD can bring about a wide range of debilitating symptoms. Leaving OCD untreated can increase your risk of developing co-occurring disorders, including mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders (SUDs). Luckily, effective treatment is available. At Alter Behavioral Health, we understand the complexities tied to treating anxiety disorders and co-occurring disorders. This is why we offer medication in addition to psychotherapeutic approaches. We can create a customized treatment plan to fit your unique needs and recovery goals. Let us help you overcome your obsessions and compulsions and help you gain control over your life today. To learn more about our facility and programs, call us at (866) 691-4386.

Different Treatment Options to Help a Loved One Overcome Trauma

Different Treatment Options to Help a Loved One Overcome Trauma

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Trauma can be very difficult to live with. When left untreated, it generally results in anxiety and fear. These responses to trauma are expected from the body. While they are typical, the effects of trauma should not be ignored. When left untreated, the associated anxiety, fear, and stress can escalate drastically, taking over a person’s life. 

Seeking help is essential to achieving a healthy recovery. Treatment addresses the numerous concerns that accompany trauma, helping to promote positive mental health habits and alleviate anxiousness and fearfulness. Evaluating the options available to your loved one facing the effects of trauma can help you to make the best choice in how to help. 

Therapy for Trauma

Psychotherapy is widely used for treating several mental health concerns. The American Psychological Association (APA) describes the psychotherapy process as “a psychologist providing a supportive environment that allows patients to talk openly with someone objective, neutral, and nonjudgmental.” Generally, this therapy is one-on-one but sometimes involves couples, families, and groups.

When treating trauma, the most common method is a subbranch of psychotherapy called trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). This therapy method is evidence-based and geared toward people dealing with trauma and trauma-related conditions. TF-CBT is highly effective in combatting the effects of trauma and ultimately achieving recovery. 

Medication Options

Treating trauma is best done with therapy. However, the side effects of trauma can be effectively treated with medication. Anxiety and fear from enduring trauma or trauma-related conditions can be difficult to handle. Prescription medications can assist in relieving these symptoms. In addition to fear and anxiety, depression and insomnia are common side effects of trauma.

Prescribed drugs may include antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs), anti-anxiety medications, and sleep aids. SSRIs assist depressive symptoms by boosting serotonin levels, which helps regulate mood and appetite, and in some individuals, can promote sleep. In addition to antidepressants, anti-anxiety prescriptions help alleviate the effects of trauma-induced fear and anxiety, and sleep aids help to combat insomnia. 

Trauma Recovery Programs

Therapy and medication are both found in any trauma treatment plan. When helping your loved one get through such a difficult time in their life, understanding the options available is key to choosing the best fit. Programs for trauma-centered care are geared specifically to help people overcome trauma and trauma-related conditions. These come in two options, as listed below.

Inpatient Programs

Inpatient programs are also referred to as residential treatment. In residential programs, individuals receive professional treatment available at all hours of the day. These programs take place in a home-like residential setting making individuals feel comfortable and welcome. Camaraderie is another great aspect of inpatient programs due to living amongst other individuals with similar stories.

In severe trauma cases, inpatient programs are often essential for successful recovery. The ability to focus solely on healing and mental health is a critical factor in residential care. Individuals can detach from their real-life problems and concerns for optimal results. This distinguishing factor makes inpatient treatment a perfect match for severe cases of trauma.

Outpatient Programs

If you feel like residential care isn’t a good fit for your loved one, outpatient programs are also an option. These programs are just as effective for treating trauma and its related conditions, except without the home-like setting. They consist of all of the same methods (therapies and medications) and provide significantly more flexibility than inpatient programs. 

Outpatient programs are an excellent choice if your loved one has responsibilities and work that cannot be set aside for residential treatment. These programs give individuals full flexibility to maintain employment duties, care for tasks at home, and any other life responsibilities. If your loved one needs flexible options in their treatment plan, then an outpatient program can help. 

When to Step In

Watching someone, you care deeply for going through something as difficult and life-altering as trauma is hard. Knowing how to help or even when to help can be challenging. Life in the aftermath of trauma isn’t easy for anyone. You can help save a life by guiding your loved one to treatment so that they can properly manage and cope with the effects of the trauma they currently face. 

There is a beautiful life ahead of them where family functions and outings can become enjoyable again. Where they smile like they used to and can truly enjoy all that life has to offer. A person who goes through trauma doesn’t stop living afterward. They have an opportunity for metamorphosis. 

This rainy season is only the beginning of a big bright future. After treatment, your loved one will shed their cacoon, spread their wings, and fly as a new, even more, beautiful being. This transformation starts with one simple step. Help your loved one by connecting them with a facility that cares and specializes in trauma-related conditions. 

Watching someone near and dear to your heart struggle with the challenges of trauma is heartbreaking. There are things you can do to help, though. At Alter Behavioral Health, we specialize in trauma and trauma-related conditions. We help people recover from trauma and thrive in the ways they were always meant to. Connect with us, and we can help guide your loved one down the right path that leads to recovery and joy. Positive mental health is essential to achieving a fulfilled, happy life free of the effects of trauma. Call us today at (866) 691-4386 for more information and to get your loved one started on their journey to healing from trauma. 

Understanding the Anxiety of Specific Phobia

Understanding the Anxiety of Specific Phobia

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Approximately 12.5% of U.S. adults experience “specific phobia” at one point or another during their lifetime. Specific phobia can be understood as “an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger.” This anxiety disorder involves ongoing, excessive, intense fears of distinctive circumstances or entities. The level of fear associated with these phobias results in anxiety and avoidance.

Specific Phobia: The Fear and Anxiety

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), specific phobias are considered anxiety disorders. This classification is given due to the genuine and extreme level of fear associated with the phobia. The primary side effect of this fear is immense anxiety.

Signs and Symptoms

There are several recognized anxiety disorders, all of which share some things in common. However, specific phobia has very distinct markers that make it unique to other anxiety conditions. Below are some of the many symptoms associated with specific phobia:

  • Ongoing anxiety and fear regarding a distinct entity or circumstance (the phobia). The DSM-5 requires an individual to experience these feelings for more than six months to obtain a diagnosis.
  • An individual’s central phobia consistently causes anxiety and fear, resulting in continued avoidance.
  • These symptoms are generally irrational in comparison to the actual calculated danger of the object of the phobia.
  • Symptoms impact the individual’s ability to function, and they create mental distress.

The Phobias of Specific Phobia

An individual’s phobia center can vary greatly depending on the person. These centers may be animals, bugs, bacteria, heights, storms, small spaces, or many other things. Below is the categorical outline given by the DSM-5 on possible phobia centers:

  • Specifier Category: Animal Type (arachnids, insects, canines)
  • Specifier Category: Natural Environment Type (heights, thunder, water)
  • Specifier Category: Blood-Injection-Injury Type (needles, invasive surgery)
  • Specifier Category: Situational Type (airplanes, elevators, small places)
  • Specifier Category: Other Type (avoiding circumstances that can result in choking, vomiting, or contracting an illness; in children, avoidance of loud sounds or costumed characters)

Causes and Risk Factors

There is a lot of mystery surrounding specific phobias. The exact cause has yet to be determined. However, the following factors may be involved:

  • Initial scary encounters regarding the specific center of phobia that resulted in panic or severe anxiety
  • An existing fear that a parent may already have — genetic makeup may also play a role
  • Changes in the chemical makeup of the brain

In addition to the various possible causes of specific phobia, certain factors may increase a person’s risk of development. These may include:

  • Being under the age of 10 increases the risk significantly, though this disorder has been seen to develop later in life as well
  • Family members with specific phobias, as specific phobias can be a learned behavior
  • Personality traits such as being prone to negative or sensitive thoughts and behavior

What Treatment Looks Like

The avoidance and anxiety surrounding specific phobias are the primary effects of this disorder. Consequently, exposure therapy is often used as a treatment in combination with more traditional psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

During exposure therapy, psychologists construct a safe setting where participants are gradually exposed to their phobia center. Being exposed in this manner allows an individual to experience their phobia in a safe and controlled environment. Doing so helps them overcome the phobia gradually and reduces overall fearfulness and avoidance.

CBT is also very effective in treating specific phobia disorders. During CBT, individuals learn to recognize negative or harmful thought patterns and behaviors. As a person progresses through this therapy, they will learn how to process their issues and work through them one step at a time. This framework can result in the ability to process on the go and retrain the brain to accept more positive and productive thought processes.

Medication may also be prescribed for specific phobia cases. Whether the fear is proportionate to the object or not, the anxiety experienced in reaction to it is still very real. Antianxiety medications are the primary drug choice for treating specific phobias. These work to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and boost mood. In some cases, antidepressants and sleep aids may be administered due to the many co-occurring conditions that accompany anxiety.

Fear-Free Freedom

Have you ever envisioned a life where you are free of your fears and anxiety? A life where you can shed these troubles like a second skin? Take a moment to think about it. You are in control of your life and your future — you and no one else. Do you want to be free of these challenges? You can be. There are programs available to help you overcome your phobia so that you don’t have to live with it anymore. You can find freedom from the fear and anxiety that rules part of your life.

Whether the fear of a certain object or situation is considered out of proportion or not, the anxiety you feel from your phobia is very real and can be hard to manage. The stress factors of avoidance and anxiety are harmful to your mind and body. You can put an end to these challenges and we can help. At Alter Behavioral Health, we can help you overcome your phobia. Let us guide you toward a fear-free and anxiety-free life without hindrances that specific phobia disorder can inflict. You can live your life to the fullest and shed your fears. Call us today at (866) 691-4386 for more information and to get started with our all-encompassing treatment plan. 

What Can I Do About My OCD?

What Can I Do About My OCD?

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Here is a staggering statistic regarding obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): approximately 2% of the world’s general population has OCD. Considering that the current global population is roughly eight billion people, it means that roughly 160 million people currently struggle with OCD. This statistic really puts the prevalence of OCD in perspective, doesn’t it?

It also puts into perspective the high demand for proper and adequate care for all those struggling with OCD. The good news is that many evidence-based treatment options can help people mitigate and treat their OCD symptoms. Some of these treatments may include clinical practices like psychotherapy and/or medication-based treatment, while others can be done outside of a clinical setting. Tools and techniques such as yoga, breathwork, and meditation can bolster the efficacy of evidence-based help.

For those struggling with OCD, know that there is hope. By finding and reading this article, you have already taken pivotal steps in recognizing your mental health disorder and deciding to do something about it. Such brave steps should never be minimized. Now it is time to take action and advocate for your wellness.

Understanding What Exactly OCD Is

The first step in understanding OCD is getting a technical grasp on what it is. This is necessary because, like many mental health disorders, OCD and its symptoms can often be confused or mistaken for other diagnoses. 

Improper diagnosis can be dangerous as it may prevent people who truly have OCD from being taken seriously. For example, occasionally feeling like one left something on at home or simply enjoying an orderly or organized home does not necessarily equate to having OCD. These are merely personal choices or minor anxieties, not to be confused with a very real disorder. It is common for people to casually say they are OCD without really understanding what that entails.

According to the peer-reviewed journal Nature Reviews and Disease Primers, “OCD is characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions are repetitive and persistent thoughts, images, impulses, or urges that are intrusive and unwanted, and are commonly associated with anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession according to rigid rules, or to achieve a sense of ‘completeness.’” In other words, those with OCD can become fixated on certain things or thoughts that in some way “force” them to perform a certain behavior to get rid of those fixations.

Equipped with a better understanding of what clinically constitutes OCD, it’s time to discover some effective treatment options.

Some At-Home Treatment Options for OCD

For those struggling with symptoms that may amount to OCD, it is critical to get a professional assessment and diagnosis. Mental disorders are just as serious as physical ailments, so getting the proper care is critical.

Depending on the severity, a professional assessment may determine that an individual’s OCD symptoms simply warrant outside or “at home” care. Some of these more common symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • Having an unfounded and exaggerated fear of dirt, diseases, and germs
  • Exhibiting behaviors that include excessive and repetitive checking that things are in their right place and are properly functioning
  • Having intrusive thoughts, which can sometimes be violent or sexual in nature
  • Showing slowed or delayed behaviors, actions, and reactions
  • Being unduly concerned with balance, organization, and symmetry

If these symptoms are present but not extreme, a professional may recommend at-home or outpatient counseling. They may also suggest joining a support group that specializes in OCD. In addition, they may recommend nutritional or dietary changes, techniques for stress reduction such as meditation, and interacting with others outside of the home on a more regular basis.

Some Clinical Treatment Options for OCD

The truth is that when it comes to OCD, most professionals tend to recommend and prescribe more intensive clinical solutions. These options can take place in both inpatient and outpatient environments. Often it can be a combination of both, starting with inpatient care and then transitioning to outpatient care as the client progresses.

While there are many clinical options, many of them primarily fall under two categories. These categories are psychotherapeutic and pharmacological. As with the other treatment options, many times psychotherapy and medications are used in tandem. Therapy tends to focus on the mind and its patterns. It may also include exposure to potentially triggering situations and ways to change behaviors related to those situations.

The medications that are predominantly used in OCD treatment focus on the anxiety and depression aspects of the disorder. These medications can include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and a variety of antidepressants.

Everyone experiences mental health differently and has different clinical needs, even when two people have the same diagnosis. Professionals have their clients’ best interests in mind, and their suggestions come from evidence-based information tailored to each person’s unique situation. When it comes to OCD, everyone has choices. They can either continue to struggle with it or get help and get their life back.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can affect every aspect of an individual’s life. Yet, many people don’t understand how serious and common OCD actually is. OCD has become excessively misused and misinterpreted in the public sphere in recent years. Many people describe their relatively “normal” behaviors as “obsessive-compulsive” because they don’t understand all that this condition entails and the fact that it is a clinically recognized disorder. The good news is that OCD is treatable. If you feel that you or a loved one may be struggling with OCD, don’t wait to get help. We can help you or your family member get diagnosed and manage the effects of OCD. For more information, contact Alter Behavioral Health at (866) 691-4386.

Understanding Postpartum Depression (PPD) and What to Do About It

Understanding Postpartum Depression (Ppd) And What to Do About It

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The joys of pregnancy and childbirth are immense and pure. Nothing can quite replicate the love and happiness of holding your child in your arms. So much pride and pleasure come from becoming a parent. Unfortunately, parenthood isn’t always all smiles and laughter. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common and serious form of depression that comes on after giving birth. Over 17% of women are affected by PPD globally. 

After delivery, many women experience what is referred to as “baby blues”. This is a short period in which the new mom undergoes mood instability (mood swings), periodic crying, anxiety, and interrupted sleep patterns. The baby blues generally last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. However, as many as one in seven women develop PPD, which is a much longer-lasting and more severe form of baby blues. 

A Thorough Analysis of PDD

PPD has been known to begin during the pregnancy stage and last through childbirth and beyond. In these cases, it is referred to as “peripartum depression.” Sometimes, in rare cases, a severe mood disorder named postpartum psychosis may develop. PPD can happen to any prospective mother and is not the product of weaknesses or flaws in character. It is merely a complication of pregnancy and childbirth. 

PPD can be defined as “moderate to severe depression in a woman after she has given birth.” The condition may develop following childbirth or up to a year after delivery. In most cases, PPD typically onsets within the first three months following delivery. The DSM-5 does not have a specific category for PPD and instead classifies the disorder as major depressive disorder (MDD) with postpartum onset. 

Signs and Symptoms

As with any form of depression, PPD is marked by persistent sadness (depressive symptoms). Several effects of PPD distinguish it from some other forms of depression. Below are just some of the many symptoms associated with PPD:

  • Restlessness
  • Mood swings
  • Excessive stress or worry
  • Deep sorrow
  • Suicidal tendencies
  • Crying often
  • Thoughts of harming the newborn 
  • Thoughts of harming oneself
  • Feeling disconnected from the baby
  • Low energy
  • Overeating or undereating
  • Oversleeping or undersleeping
  • Headaches or stomach aches
  • Unexplained pains

Risk Factors

The precise origins of PPD have yet to be determined. However, several factors can contribute to the risk of whether a mother will develop this condition. The primary factor involved in cases of PPD is drastic hormone level alterations during and after pregnancy. These changes are exceedingly hard on the body and can result in various mental and physical health conditions, including PPD. Aside from hormonal changes, the following factors may be involved:

  • Chronic stress
  • Little to no support system
  • Having depression previously
  • Depression in the family
  • Teen pregnancy
  • Preterm delivery
  • Low fertility
  • Pregnancy complications or trouble during childbirth 

In addition to the above risk factors, the following factors put mothers at an increased risk of developing PDD:

  • Being under the age of 25
  • Substance use (alcohol, tobacco, drugs)
  • Unplanned pregnancy
  • Marital or relationship trouble
  • Financial or housing instability

Treating PPD

Before treatment can take place, mothers need a proper diagnosis. After PPD has been established as the cause of various symptoms, the process of determining the best treatment path can begin. A mixture of therapy and medication is often used for cases of PPD. There is a long list of prescription pills available for PPD, most often in the form of antidepressants. The use of medication may or may not be right for everyone. Its administration will depend on each person and their individual needs. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common treatment option for PPD. CBT focuses on negative thought patterns and works to form more positive and productive thinking. During this therapy method, new mothers learn how to train their brains to adopt new perspectives and problem-solving thought patterns.

In addition to CBT, interpersonal therapy is also beneficial for treating PPD. Where CBT is all about thoughts and behaviors, interpersonal therapy concentrates on relationships in one’s life. It is not generally considered a long-term solution on its own. However, it has shown to be a significantly helpful addition to treatment. Studies have suggested that interpersonal therapy can help women in a variety of stages, from delivery through breastfeeding. For an all-encompassing plan, a combination of CBT and interpersonal therapy can greatly improve PPD. 

Happy Mom, Happy Home

With proactive steps for the betterment of their mental health, mothers can step into the beautiful gift of motherhood with confidence and improved wellness. All it takes is proper guidance and care to overcome the challenges of PPD and thrive as a parent and caregiver. We know moms deserve the best, but it is important for them to remember that they do as well.

The dark depths of PPD are treacherous waters that can be exceedingly difficult to navigate. Don’t let the tides take you farther out. Let us calm the waves and guide you to shore. Here at Alter Behavioral Health, we understand just how hard it is to live with depression. You deserve to experience all the joys that motherhood has to offer beyond the challenges of PPD. You don’t have to fight these storms alone. We can help you overcome PPD so that you can be the joyous mother you are meant to be. With our variety of treatment options and mental health experts, we are uniquely equipped to help. Call (866) 691-4386 for information and to get started with treatment.

Do I Have Separation Anxiety?

Do I Have Separation Anxiety?

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When many people think of separation anxiety disorder (SAD), their minds often associate it with children and maybe pets. This is understandable, as SAD is one of the most common anxiety disorders among children. However, what many people do not know is that SAD is also quite common in adults. This is known as adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD). 

Many people tend to minimize ASAD in adults because they either don’t understand what it is, or they don’t understand how severe it can be. It is important to remember that ASAD is a clinically diagnosed disorder for a reason. This disorder can have very serious symptoms, and it can interrupt every aspect of daily life for those who have it.

Adults with ASAD deserve to be taken seriously, properly diagnosed, and appropriately treated. ASAD is highly treatable, but that can only happen if the individual struggling can recognize that they have a condition that needs to be treated. For those who may be struggling with ASAD, or feel that a  loved one may be struggling, it is critical to get proper evidence-based care as soon as possible.

What Are Separation Anxiety Disorder and Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder?

According to the publication Separation Anxiety by Joshua Feriante and Bettina Bernstein, found in the National Library of Medicine (NLM), SAD can be defined as “an exaggeration of otherwise developmentally normal anxiety manifested by excessive concern, worry, and even dread of the real or anticipated separation from an attachment figure.” The same article also states, “Although separation anxiety is a developmentally appropriate phenomenon, the disorder manifests with inappropriate intensity or the inappropriateness of age and context.”

There are clear delineations between childhood SAD and ASAD. They explain that the primary differences between children with separation anxiety and adults with separation anxiety are the “type of attachment figures involved.” For adults, these figures are often their children or their partners.

Potential Causes of Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder

The other differences that exist between childhood separation anxiety disorder (SAD) and adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) are the causes of the disorder. There are many more defined causes for children with SAD. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t also recognized causes specifically for adults with ASAD. Some of the causes of ASAD include:

  • The anticipation of being away from family or loved ones for an extended period of time
  • Having certain pre-existing psychological conditions, especially other anxiety, depressive, and mood disorders
  • Genetic conditions, such as blood relatives diagnosed with SAD or other anxiety disorders
  • Experiencing environmental or traumatic issues, which may involve separation from a loved one
  • Going through stressful life changes, such as a change in location, career, or family dynamics
  • Being previously diagnosed with SAD in childhood

Symptoms of Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder

There is a wide swath of symptoms that can be associated with ASAD. The article mentioned previously explains, “According to the DSM-5, a child, adolescent, or adult must exhibit a minimum of 3 of 8 symptoms that significantly impair social, academic, or occupational aspects of functioning lasting longer than four weeks that cannot be better explained by other causes.” Those symptoms include:

  • Poor sleep patterns, including sleeping too much or too little (insomnia)
  • Excessive nightmares
  • Worrying about the “attachment figure” being in distress, becoming injured, or even dying
  • Not wanting to be left alone for extended periods of time
  • Showing a poor or lowered performance at school, work, or in their career
  • An inability to concentrate
  • Having trouble socializing or feeling excessively uncomfortable in social situations
  • Prolonged periods of depression associated with attachment, which may even lead to self-harm and/or suicidal ideations or attempts

If three or more of these symptoms are detected in a person of any age, child or adult, it is time to seek professional help. The good news is that there are plenty of treatment options available for both SAD and ASAD.

Treatment Options for Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder

The options for treating adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) tend to fall into three categories. These categories are counseling, psychotherapy, and pharmacological treatment. Often, a combination of the three is most effective.

For those with less severe symptoms of ASAD, non-clinical counseling and support may be enough. On the other hand, for those with more intense symptoms, a form of psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or medication like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be the most effective choice.

Regardless of what treatment is ultimately deemed best for each individual, the most important part of getting someone with ASAD the help they need is first recognizing it. Those struggling with ASAD can find it completely debilitating. Luckily, there are helpful, hopeful, and healthy long-term recovery options available.

Adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) is an anxiety disorder that can often be minimized because there are many misconceptions that surround it. Separation anxiety is often confused with simply “missing” a loved one. However, while this dismissal is understandable, ASAD is a clinical disorder. ASAD predominantly differs from “normal” feelings of separation in the fact that the anxiety is much more pronounced, often considered at “inappropriate” levels, and lasts much longer than what would be considered “typical.” It is also important to understand that, while SAD is more common in children, ASAD affects many adults. If feel that you may be struggling with ASAD, we can help. Please contact Alter Behavioral Health today at (866) 691-4386 for more information.

What Are the Treatment Options For Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

What Are the Treatment Options for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

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The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that, per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), “personality disorders represent ‘an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture.’” These patterns interfere with an individual’s ability to function normally, often causing significant distress and impairment in their daily life. One of the most widely misunderstood and complex personality disorders is borderline personality disorder (BPD). 

Research has estimated the prevalence of BPD to be 1.6% in the general population and nearly 20% in inpatient psychiatric populations. Since many people may be affected by BPD throughout their lives, whether directly or indirectly, it can be helpful to learn about this condition and its challenges with treatment. Likewise, becoming familiar with effective treatment options for BPD can be instrumental in promoting lasting healing and recovery. 

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

As the NIMH explains, “Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that severely impacts a person’s ability to regulate their emotions.” Emotional dysregulation, or a loss of emotional control, can lead to a variety of challenges.

For example, individuals with BPD often experience increased risk-taking and impulsive behaviors, including an increased risk of using alcohol and other drugs. Additionally, those with BPD often struggle to identify a strong sense of self. As a result of these symptoms, individuals with BPD commonly struggle to manage their interpersonal relationships. 

Signs and Symptoms

BPD is often misdiagnosed, partly because its symptoms can mimic those of other mental health conditions. Additionally, BPD carries a high level of comorbidity with other mental illnesses. In other words, individuals with BPD experience increased risks of co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder (SUD). 

The NIMH highlights several warning signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of BPD. Some signs and symptoms include:

  • A distorted and/or unstable sense of self
  • Extreme and severe mood swings
  • Efforts to avoid abandonment — whether real or perceived — such as entering or cutting off relationships abruptly
  • Patterns of intense and/or unstable interpersonal relationships
  • Increased risk-taking behaviors, including substance abuse, reckless driving, spending sprees, or unsafe sex 
  • Self-harming behaviors
  • Suicidal ideation 
  • Chronic feelings of emptiness
  • Viewing life in extremes, such as all good or all bad
  • Feelings of dissociation, such as feelings of unreality

How Is BPD Diagnosed?

BPD must be diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or clinical social worker. Typically, an individual will undergo a professional evaluation and interview to gather and document their symptoms, health history, and additional concerns. A medical examination may also be used as a way to rule out other possible conditions or causes of symptoms. 

While BPD can affect anyone at any age, it is typically diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood. S variety of risk factors can increase an individual’s likelihood of being diagnosed with BPD. Common risk factors include exposure to trauma, family history of BPD, and exposure to unstable or invalidating relationships throughout life. 

Treatment Options for BPD

Although the nature of BPD poses some complex challenges for treatment, there are a variety of treatments that are effective for reducing the severity of symptoms. However, for true symptom improvement, individuals with BPD must participate in treatment interventions and services on a long-term basis. Depending on the severity of an individual’s symptoms, they may benefit from inpatient programs or intensive outpatient programs, such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP). 

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is the first-line treatment for BPD. Treatment can take place in one-on-one settings as well as group settings. Typically, most treatment programs use individual and group therapy sessions in tandem to allow individuals to maximize the benefits of peer and professional support. The two most utilized psychotherapy options for BPD are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

CBT helps individuals address the links between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The main goal of CBT is to help clients rewire inaccurate or otherwise problematic beliefs to reduce conflict with themselves and others. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT combines important elements of CBT with mindfulness. This approach was initially developed specifically for BPD, as it encourages clients to foster acceptance for the things and situations that they cannot change. DBT teaches important emotional regulation skills, improving a client’s emotional state as well as reducing self-destructive behaviors. 

Medication

Currently, there are no proven medications for treating BPD. However, certain medications may be prescribed to individuals with BPD to treat specific symptoms. For example, antidepressants or mood stabilizers may be used to improve emotional regulation. There are risks involved with using prescription medication, however, as medication affects everyone differently and can pose unique side effects.

It is crucial to work alongside a mental health professional to discover what treatment options will be most effective in treating BPD and its symptoms. 

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) interferes with an individual’s emotional state, causing them to experience a disorganized sense of self and have trouble forming and maintaining complex interpersonal relationships. To be diagnosed with BPD, a medical professional will perform an assessment and discuss your personal medical history with you. Treatment options often include a combination of individual and group therapy interventions, as well as prescription medications in some cases. At Alter Behavioral Health, we offer residential behavioral treatment programs and mental health care for anyone seeking refuge from distressing symptoms. We offer a variety of treatment services to ensure that all of our client’s needs are met throughout treatment and recovery. To learn more, call us today at (866) 691-4386.