Jenna J. Torres

Hi,

Thank you for your question. A psychiatrist would treat anxiety with antianxiety or antidepressant medications. Examples of antianxiety meds include benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin) and non-benzodiazepines (Buspar). Examples of antidepressant meds include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs- Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil)/Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs-Effexor, Cymbalta), Tricyclics (TCAs- Elavil, Anafranil, Tofranil), Monoamine-Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs- Nardil, Marplan), and others like Wellbutrin and Remeron.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. A psychiatrist would treat ADHD with stimulant medications such as Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, and Strattera.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. A psychiatrist would treat anxiety with anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications. Examples of anti-anxiety meds include benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin) and non-benzodiazepines (Buspar). Examples of antidepressant meds include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs - Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil)/Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs-Effexor, Cymbalta), Tricyclics (TCAs- Elavil, Anafranil, Tofranil), Monoamine-Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs- Nardil, Marplan), and others like Wellbutrin and Remeron.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. There are lots of natural remedies for panic attacks and anxiety, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). There are many ways to calm anxiety without medication. Anxiety reduction and relaxation techniques include deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises, mindfulness meditation, practicing positive mantras or positive self-talk, guided imagery and visualization, and journaling or stream of consciousness writing. I would recommend you seek services from a mental health professional to help with anxiety reduction.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. The best therapies for ADHD include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), ADHD Coaching, Brain Training or Neurofeedback, Play, Art, or Music Therapy (for kids/teens), and Equine Therapy. Medication is also effective for ADHD. The following are suggestions that may help:

- Create a routine. Try to follow the same schedule every day, from wake-up time to bedtime.
- Get organized. Put your stuff in the same place every day so that you will be less likely to lose them.
- Manage distractions. Turn off the TV, limit noise, and provide a clean workspace.
- Limit choices. To help not feel overwhelmed or overstimulated, offer choices with only a few options. For example, have them choose between this outfit or that one, this meal or that one, or this toy or that one.
- Help plan. Break down complicated tasks into simpler, shorter steps. For long tasks, starting early and taking breaks may help limit stress.
- Use goals and praise or other rewards. Use a chart to list goals and track positive behaviors, then let them know they have done well by telling them or by rewarding their efforts in other ways. Be sure the goals are realistic—small steps are important!
- Provide a healthy lifestyle. Nutritious foods, lots of physical activity, and sufficient sleep are important; they can help keep ADHD symptoms from getting worse.

I hope this information has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. PTSD can be resolved through different therapeutic approaches, including Somatic Experiencing (SE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Within CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) are recommended. Medications have also been found to be helpful in relieving symptoms of PTSD, particularly antidepressants with the strongest evidence supporting Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Some of the most common symptoms of trauma targeted by psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions include: reliving the traumatic experience through flashbacks, avoidance of people and places that trigger the trauma, intrusive memories or nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, numbness, loss of interest, and depression.
I hope this information has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. Yes, a psychologist can help treat panic attacks. There are many different therapies that are effective for panic attacks, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Panic reduction techniques include deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises, mindfulness meditation, practicing positive mantras or positive self-talk, guided imagery and visualization, and journaling or stream of consciousness writing. I would recommend you seek services from a mental health professional to help with panic attacks.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. There are many ways to calm anxiety after drinking. Anxiety reduction and relaxation techniques include deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises, mindfulness meditation, practicing positive mantras or positive self-talk, guided imagery and visualization, and journaling or stream of consciousness writing.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. Yes, I would recommend that you seek out therapy from a licensed mental health professional for help with the anxiety you are experiencing, especially because it is interfering with your marriage. There are many forms of therapy to treat anxiety, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Therapy can also help with practicing anxiety reduction and relaxation techniques, including deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises, mindfulness meditation, practicing positive mantras or positive self-talk, guided imagery and visualization, journaling or stream of consciousness writing, drawing or other forms of artistic expression, listening to music, exercise or going for a walk, petting your dog, and reaching out for support from a trusted friend or family member.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. I would recommend that you seek out professional mental health support to explore some reasons why you might hate yourself after binge eating late at night in the kitchen. Also, here are some tips that might help:

- plan and establish regular eating patterns including meals and snacks, try to go no more than 3-4 hours between meals
- identify your triggers to binging, make note of when you binged or ate without being hungry
- recognize the cycle, keep a journal and document how you feel before and after each meal or snack
- find alternatives to triggering situations
- learn to listen to your body, it will signal physical hunger and fullness cues
- seek out therapy to get support from an eating disorder professional to help change your thoughts about food, your body, your weight, your shape, etc. (You can ask your primary care doctor or call your insurance for referrals)
- CBT, DBT, and interpersonal psychotherapy have been found to be successful forms of therapy
- consult with a doctor or psychiatrist regarding a medication evaluation to determine if that could be helpful
- speak with a nutritionist or dietician about a healthy meal plan and/or nutritional supplements
- stop labeling foods as "good" or "bad," which can increase feelings of guilt and make you more likely to binge
- stop dieting! get rid of any books or magazines that make you feel inadequate or judge yourself to unattainable ideals
- ditch the rigid rules and "cheat days" since no foods are "off limits"
- stay off the scale, as the number on the scale does not reflect your self-worth as a person, your weight does not define you!
- make self-care a priority, including maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet
- engage in positive self-talk and be kind/compassionate to yourself
- reach out for help from trusted friends and family members in your network of social support
- find some joyful activities that help give meaning and pleasure to your life
- practice mindful or intuitive eating
- practice gratitude and positive affirmations about yourself regularly
- focus on actions, not outcomes
- celebrate your victories and don't dwell on minor setbacks
- be patient and manage your own expectations
- don't try to be perfect, it's about progress not perfection!

I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. Stress reduction and relaxation techniques include deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises, mindfulness meditation, practicing positive mantras or positive self-talk, guided imagery and visualization, and journaling or stream of consciousness writing.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. There are a few main differences between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), which are both empirically-based psychotherapeutic interventions for mood disorders. Both are diagnosis-targeted, time-limited, present-focused treatments that encourage the client to regain control of mood and functioning.

CBT is short-term and highly effective treatment for many common issues, including depression and anxiety. CBT explores and helps to resolve negative automatic thoughts and underlying core beliefs about the self, other people, and the world using structured activities and specific interventions. CBT also involves behavioral activation and development of new coping skills.

IPT is based on the so-called common factors of psychotherapy: a treatment alliance in which the therapist empathically engages the patient, helps the patient to feel understood, arouses effect, presents a clear rationale and treatment ritual, and yields success experiences. On this foundation IPT builds two major principles:

-Depression is a medical illness, rather than the patient's fault or personal defect; moreover, it is a treatable condition. This definition has the effect of defining the problem and excusing the patient from symptomatic self-blame.
-Mood and life situation are related. Building on interpersonal theory and psychosocial research on depression, IPT makes a practical link between the patient's mood and disturbing life events that either trigger or follow from the onset of the mood disorder.

I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. Here are some of the psychological effects of being in a wheelchair:

- the process of transitioning into a wheelchair after losing body mobility is similar to grieving someone’s death: feeling loss, shock, denial, anger, helplessness, hopelessness, and depression are all common emotions wheelchair users can experience before reconciling with what happened and accepting their new, altered life. Fully engaging in the grieving process can lead to acceptance. Having a healthy mindset doesn’t mean you have to be happy about the situation; in fact, you may never look at the injury or disability pleasantly, but you should aim to live without judgement, understand it’s not your fault and rather than think about your setbacks, work to identify your progress and strengths.

- having support can be instrumental in gaining self-acceptance. Wheelchair users in need of emotional assistance should consult with a psychologist, counselor, peer mentor or support group to devise strategies to overcome the emotional hardships of being in a wheelchair.

- negative public perception can cause wheelchair users to feel shame; realizing that society unfairly judges people with disabilities is something they work through on their journey to self acceptance. One way to deal with receiving sympathy from onlookers is to understand this as a way humans try to relate to one another and instead of them seeing it as a really tragic thing, it can be seen as just the reality.

- wheelchair users often lead more sedentary lifestyles than able bodies and are at higher risk for certain health problems, such as leg swelling, skin ulcers and pressure sores, poor blood flow, blood clots, and obesity. You should get regular check ups with your doctor to monitor, prevent, and treat such physical issues.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. Post-traumatic stress can be resolved through different therapeutic approaches, including Somatic Experiencing (SE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Within CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) are recommended. Medications have also been found to be helpful in relieving symptoms of PTSD, particularly antidepressants with the strongest evidence supporting Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Some of the most common symptoms of trauma targeted by psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions include: reliving the traumatic experience through flashbacks, avoidance of people and places that trigger the trauma, intrusive memories or nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, numbness, loss of interest, and depression.
I hope this information has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thanks for your question. The best therapy for anger management is done by a Certified Anger Management Specialist. This therapy helps a person learn to manage anger by first identifying the feeling and the factors that contribute to feeling that way (underlying causes of the anger), and then learning healthy coping skills to use. Coping skills can include reading, listening to music, writing/journaling, calling a friend or talking to someone about the situation, playing with a pet, deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness and meditation, drawing or other forms of artistic expression, exercise or going for a walk, etc.

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. Psychosis duration and recovery time will depend on how the person experiences psychosis and what induces the psychotic episode. Psychosis can be brought on by mental health issues such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, but it can also be the result of drug use. Take for example a brief psychotic disorder vs. schizophrenia. A brief psychotic disorder lasts for one month or less.

Hi, Thank you for your question.

There are many different types of therapies to treat schizophrenia:

*Cognitive Behavior Therapy* (CBT) can help change thinking and behavior. A therapist will show you ways to deal with voices and hallucinations <https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/what-are-hallucinations>. With a combination of CBT sessions and medication, the client can eventually tell what triggers their psychotic episodes (times when hallucinations or delusions <https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/delusional-disorder> flare up) and how to reduce or stop them. CBT can help you feel less distressed about your psychotic experiences, feel less depressed and anxious, reduce alcohol and drug use, deal with suicidal thoughts, and overcome feelings of hopelessness.

*Cognitive Enhancement Therapy* (CET) is also called cognitive remediation. It teaches people how to better recognize social cues, or triggers, and improve their attention, memory, and ability to organize their thoughts. It combines computer-based brain training <https://www.webmd.com/news/breaking-news/brain-training/brain-training-promise> and group sessions.

*Psychoeducation* helps people with schizophrenia (and their partner or family) understand the illness. Psychoeducation programs explain about symptoms, treatment options, recovery, and services that can help. You can have psychoeducation individually or in groups. It can include written information, videos, websites, meetings, or discussions with your case manager or psychiatrist. Your family can help you understand your diagnosis and support you in your treatment. Family psychoeducation programs help the person with schizophrenia and their family communicate better and solve problems. Family psychoeducation is also good for family members. It can be very upsetting to see someone you love become unwell with schizophrenia.

*Medications* include newer antipsychotic drugs, which are also called second-generation or atypical antipsychotics. They’re newer than the first-generation drugs. They generally cause fewer side effects, such as repetitive or involuntary movements like eye blinking, than older antipsychotics. Second-generation antipsychotics work about equally as well as older drugs. The one exception is clozapine, which is effective against schizophrenia that doesn’t respond to other treatments.

*Electroconvulsive Therapy* (ECT) which attaches electrodes to the person's scalp. While they’re under general anesthesia, doctors send a small electric shock to the brain. A course of ECT therapy usually involves 2-3 treatments per week for several weeks. Each shock treatment causes a controlled seizure. A series of treatments over time leads to improvement
in mood and thinking. Scientists don’t fully understand exactly how ECT and the controlled seizures it causes help, although some researchers think that ECT-induced seizures may affect the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. It can help when medications no longer work or if severe depression or catatonia makes treating the illness difficult.

Living With Schizophrenia

Most people with this condition do get better with treatment and support. Exercise, eat healthy foods, manage your stress, and stay connected with your loved ones. Staying mentally and physically strong can help you feel more in charge of your illness and your life. People with schizophrenia do best if they have:

- medication and psychological treatment together – not just one or the
other
- medications to manage depression or anxiety, if needed
- education about their illness (individual psychoeducation)
- a supportive partner, family member, or friends involved in their care
- access to 24-hour crisis support
- a mental health professional who takes care of planning and coordinating their individual care (case management)
- support to find and keep a job or continue education
- somewhere safe and affordable to live
- support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I hope this information has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. There are many different therapies that are effective for panic attacks, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Panic reduction techniques include deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises, mindfulness meditation, practicing positive mantras or positive self-talk, guided imagery and visualization, and journaling or stream of consciousness writing. I would recommend you seek services from a mental health professional to help with panic attacks.
I hope this has been helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thanks for your question. There are many different causes of depression, including temperament (negative emotions), environmental factors (stressful life events, adverse childhood experiences), genetic and physiological factors (heritability from family members with depression), and comorbid issues (substance abuse, anxiety, personality disorders, chronic or
disabling medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, etc).
I hope this is helpful!

Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD

Hi,

Thank you for your question. To change automatic negative thoughts, it is important to identify, evaluate, challenge, and reframe them. One of the best therapeutic methods to do this is through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a short-term and highly effective treatment for many common issues, including depression and anxiety. CBT explores and helps to resolve
negative automatic thoughts and underlying core beliefs about the self, other people, and the world using structured activities and specific interventions. CBT also involves behavioral activation and development of new coping skills. You can even teach yourself CBT! Here are some of my favorite book recommendations:

The CBT Toolbox: A Workbook for Clients and Clinicians. Premier Publishing & Media. – Riggenbach, J. (2012).

<https://www.amazon.com/CBT-Toolbox-Workbook-Clients-Clinicians/dp/1936128306>
Doing CBT: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with Behaviors, Thoughts, and
Emotions. The Guilford Press: New York. – Tolin, D.F. (2016).

<https://www.amazon.com/Doing-CBT-Comprehensive-Behaviors-Thoughts/dp/1462527078>
The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety, Second Edition: A
Step-By-Step Program. New Harbinger Publications: Oakland, California. –
Knaus, W.J. (2014).The Anxiety and Worry Workbook: The Cognitive Behavioral
Solution. The Guilford Press: New York. – Clark, D.A., Beck, A.T. (2011).

<https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Worry-Workbook-Cognitive-Behavioral/dp/160623918X>
Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks: A Workbook for
Managing Depression and Anxiety. Althea Press: Dunedin, New Zealand. –
Gillihan, S.J. (2016).

<https://www.amazon.com/Retrain-Your-Brain-Behavioral-Depression-ebook/dp/B01M0ILKMQ>
Change Your Thinking: Overcome Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, and Improve
Your Life with CBT. Da Capo Press: Boston, Massachusetts. – Edelman, S.
(2007)

I hope this has been helpful!
Best,

Jenna Torres, PsyD