Dr. Richard G. Hunter, MD, FAAN
Psychiatrist | Psychiatry
3583 Dumbarton Rd Nw Atlanta GA, 30327About
Dr. RICHARD HUNTER is a psychiatrist practicing in Atlanta, GA. Dr. HUNTER is a medical doctor specializing in the care of mental health patients. As a psychiatrist, Dr. HUNTER diagnoses and treats mental illnesses. Dr. HUNTER may treat patients through a variety of methods including medications, psychotherapy or talk therapy, psychosocial interventions and more, depending on each individual case. Different medications that a psychiatrist might prescribe include antidepressants, antipsychotic mediations, mood stabilizers, stimulants, sedatives and hypnotics. Dr. HUNTER treats conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, insomnia, ADD and other mental illnesses.
Provider Details
Dr. Richard G. Hunter, MD, FAAN's Expert Contributions
Is OCD associated with drug addiction?
Yes and no. OCD doesn't usually cause addiction. But some who have a serious problem that isn't control have turned to opiates. This isn't usually advised. But recently it has been found that certain severe patients have benefited from addition of opiates. Your physician would have to determine if you fit that category. There are pain specialist physicians who can watch you more closely if you are quite worried about this. Good luck. READ MORE
Are there natural treatments for OCD?
OCD is a complex disorder manifesting itself in a number of different ways. The manifestations and the severity of the symptoms usually determine the approach. Mode of treatment varies with the patient. Common treatments include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (a specific type of psychotherapy), medication (often more than 1), and various forms of exercise or productive behaviors such as vigorous exercise. Natural medicines have not caught on & seem to be of use in only minor cases. It is common for OCD patients to be afraid of their medicines. This is usually a symptom of their disorder and gets in the way of treatment. It is felt that up to 90% of patients can be controlled with the disorder. I recommend treatment by a psychiatrist skilled in the treatment of this disorder. READ MORE
How is geriatric depression treated without antidepressants?
Geriatric depression is serious and can be hard to treat. Age prevents most other modalities. The depression often comes with a gloomy and negative outlook that interferes with treatment. Usually a kind assertive insistence achieves results. For example some have to be reminded that compliance prevents admission for more stressful treatments, being away from home, etc. Form an alliance for her cooperation. Best of luck! This usually does it. READ MORE
What are the symptoms of being a hoarder?
Not necessarily. Older people lose their family and friends over time. Their world contracts around them. Their now-expanding empty time becomes filled with memories of the past. Objects become treasured memories of past relations as a substitute. At some point, this can be so severe that she may become a hoarder. She does not want to lose anymore in this time of loneliness. She needs active relationships. Relatives much make much more time for her. Encourage assisted living arrangements where she can find company and new relationships. Get her involved and off this destructive (but all to common path). Some governments have day time services for the elderly where they can go & become involved. Best check with psychiatric care to see how bad this is and what services will be needed. Best wishes. We want her life to end happily and feeling a part of family & friends, not in lonely despair! READ MORE
How are children affected by abandonment?
Usually all children, if the abandonment occurred after bonding with the mother. If adopting parents step in and enable a quickly bonding positive relation, the destruction can largely be prevented. You don't mention any particular problem, so I assume this has been accomplished. In the long run, she will discover she was abandoned. At these ages the child often presumes it was her fault, that there must have been something wrong for her or the mother wouldn't have left. Several solutions have been suggested, depending on age & circumstance. Some foster parents would tell her she was adopted and that her parents were dead. Others might say that her parents were crazy and couldn't raise children, are in jail, & not allowed access to her, etc. The point being the older she is, when she learns all of this, the less psychological damage it will do. She will need a lot of love during his period to make her secure. You might start by reading up on "Attachment & Loss" to gain full comprehension of all of this. Start with Wikipedia. Don't be afraid to develop a consulting relationship with a psychologist or psychiatrist. My hopes for the best outcome for all 3 of you! READ MORE
How do I approach my son about his eating disorder?
Most children will give you a straight answer if you ask it directly. Would be careful not to label this as a disorder so soon. If he is trying to get on the team, this is reasonable. Then gentle does or donts about achieving a reasonable goal. This would clarify what is going on. Good luck! READ MORE
Is a tic disorder considered a mental illness?
It is usually considered a neurologic disorder, but some of these disorders can be associated with psychiatric symptoms. These can be called Neuropsychiatric disorders. Unfortunately, the lay public commonly associates tics with psychiatric problems and this can stimulate avoidance rather than compassion. The social scene is best avoided by complete control of the tics. Would discuss this with your neurologist. Best of luck. READ MORE
Does Strattera cause dizziness and confusion?
Strattera can cause these 2 symptoms but it is uncommon and less likely together. You need to consult your physician for this specifically. It may require a dosage adjustment or be found to be secondary to another associated problem. If it is related directly to Strattera, there are other good drugs that treat the same conditions. Good Luck! READ MORE
How do I get someone psychiatric help?
You can be supportive, your listening to what she wants to say helps a great deal. Firmly steer her to help. If you get a deep emotional feeling that she has suicidal thoughts, don't wait for her to express them. She needs a psychiatrist to identify this disorder. If money is a negative factor, most cities or counties offer free psychiatric services to the needy. You can also count on them for advice for connecting her with the appropriate services. Being depressed is one thing, but the response to someone who knows her brings a more definitive response. READ MORE
Where should my son go to get tested for ADHD?
Take him to a specialist that deals with ADHD such as neurologist, psychiatrist, or neuropsychologist. There are a number of causes for his behavior, ADHD being one. But lots of normal children behave like this. A specialist (above) can sort this out. Good luck. READ MORE
Can I join my child in her psych follow-up?
To some extent, always. But your question raises the question of control issues which interfere with therapy. The child is too anxious or fearful to open up with others in the room. Hence most of therapy involves just the psychiatrist & patient in the room. There is plenty of time before & after the session for parenteral input. Indeed, this is necessary so that therapy doesn't get off track. Child psychiatrists are particularly good for this. I think you both will be very happy with the outcome. READ MORE
Why do I have depression symptoms when I don't take anxiety medications?
Zoloft is great for anxiety & depression but the 2 disorders have separate chemical pathways. The medicine is not a "pop it & feel good" medicine. It takes about a month to reorganize your brain chemistry. You have to take it daily as prescribed. Skipping it slows or prevents control. Missing it a few days causes loss of control. Take it as directed. READ MORE
Does Strattera cause dizziness and confusion?
It can be but both symptoms are uncommon. Confusion is possible but raises the question of some other psychiatric process as well. Your prescribing physician needs to check the relationship of these 2 side effects to see if there is a connection. If so, he may change the dose or stop the medicine. If not, he needs further evaluation to see if something else is going on. Good Luck READ MORE
Should I be on anti-anxiety medications?
If you have crippling anxiety, you should definitely be on anti anxiety medicines. You need a mental health professional to decide what kind of anxiety you are having and the appropriate medicine for that. You need a combination of anxiety medicines and psychotherapy to get this controlled. I see no reason you can't return to normal if you are committed! Best wishes! You can do it! READ MORE
How can I stop biting my nails?
Onychophagia (severe chronic nail biting) is common & is sometimes felt to be due to OCD or anxiety disorders. Most now suspect a neurologic origin, Initially several counter maneuvers are recommended. If this fails there is Avery bitter nail polish that often subconsciously ameliorates the behavior. (Denatonium benzoate). Currently new technologies are allowing neuroscience to delineate the origins. Lately particular antidepressants have been found to be effective. There is a subspecialty of Neurology that is beginning to look at this and a Movement Disorder sub specialist in Neurology should have some good ideas. Best of luck. It is a frustrating condition but future resolution of the condition for most is near. Best of luck. READ MORE
When is anger pathological?
A real definition considers the individual, his personality and the situation to define pathologic anger. Anger is unreasonable if it is unprovoked, too intense for the provocation, inappropriate for the situation and when your outburst raises uncharacteristic anger from others in response to you! If others, uninvolved in the encounter get disturbed by it, you know it is inappropriate and that you need help understanding why you over react! Get evaluated. Your life can markedly improve. Good Luck! READ MORE
Can you describe situational depression to me?
I would initially call it grief. Grief is expected and a normal process needed to heal. Usually grief should be over by 6 months. After that, grief has failed to heal and restore and has evolved into a depression that can be quite severe. At this point a combination of grief therapy and antidepressants usually works. Best wishes at this devastating time. READ MORE
Can antidepressants make me really tired?
Yes, but so can depression! Forgetting you med brings both factors into this. You need to see your physician to delineate this and follow up more frequently until this is controlled. 6 Months is too long to get this under control. Find out why! Good luck. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of Medicine- CART peptides as targets for CNS drug development.
- CART in feeding and obesity.
- CART peptides: modulators of mesolimbic dopamine, feeding, and stress.
- The effects of cocaine on CART expression in the rat nucleus accumbens: a possible role for corticosterone.
- Regulation of CART mRNA in the rat nucleus accumbens via D3 dopamine receptors.
- The role of CART in body weight homeostasis.
- Regulation of CART mRNA by stress and corticosteroids in the hippocampus and amygdala.
- Behavioral and biological effects of chronic S18986, a positive AMPA receptor modulator, during aging.
- Regulation of kainate receptor subunit mRNA by stress and corticosteroids in the rat hippocampus.
- Chronic stress differentially regulates cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding in distinct hippocampal subfields.
- Regulation of hippocampal H3 histone methylation by acute and chronic stress.
- Regulation of the nicotinic receptor alpha7 subunit by chronic stress and corticosteroids.
- Hippocampal kainate receptors.
- Stress and anxiety: structural plasticity and epigenetic regulation as a consequence of stress.
- Stress and the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
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