Depression is Treatable

Depression usually starts out simple. For my patient, Cindy, for example, it began with down days during her first semester in college, when she wouldn’t get out of bed. She did not leave her apartment, wore sweat pants all the time, stopped doing her hair and makeup, gave up her spin class, and neglected her bathing and hygiene.

As time went on, she became more and more isolated from her friends. Her eating habits deteriorated — Skittles and Chinese food became her staple, and in order to sleep, she took Benadryl with a giant glass of wine.

Symptoms and Treatment of Depression

It was the same thing, day in, day out, and as bad as it sounds, her condition was treatable. It’s important for those battling depression to remember this, which is why I am sharing Cindy’s story. (more…)

Disease or Decision – What if the answer does not matter?

The first question most people ask when visiting a doctor is “What’s wrong with me?”  As a psychiatrist I usually beat them to the punch by asking them, “Why are you here?”  That question itself is diagnostic in nature.  It speaks volumes of an individual’s perception and self assessment of their problem.  If the patient is presenting with an addiction issue, invariably there are several assumptions they have already made.  Most of the time they assume that they have a disease.  That it is chronic.  That it is incurable.  And that after a period of detoxification their disease will be managed by daily doses of 12-step activity.  This in spite of overwhelming statistic that traditional 28 day treatment programs have about a 16% success rate.

This has always been a great curiosity to me.  If one in six patients who attend these conventional treatment programs remain abstinent for one year post discharge, why would anybody waste the time, money and psychic investment required by these programs.  I would not buy a car that started one out of six times.  More importantly, I would not buy a car that stopped one out of six times I applied the brakes.

What if we were treating a disease that does not exist?  In my profession that is called a misdiagnosis.  What if we spent our time, energy and money trying to stop “addiction” rather than trying to understand addiction?  An entire industry has developed around causation rather than cessation.  If you had a choice of either understanding why you drink or stopping your drinking the decision would be obvious.  Even if you are a comprehension junky for whom the process trumps the product, at some point all growth starts with stopping. (more…)

Why is it important to have a Psychiatrist help you with drug detox?

http://206.189.200.158 ~ (561) 842-9550

Dr. Mark Agresti, West Palm Beach Drug & Alcohol Detox Specialist – Psychiatrist, discusses why people it is beneficial and best to work with a psychiatrist when detoxing from drugs.  Many times drug abuse and drug use come to help with mental illness.  If you don’t work on the symptoms of what causes the use of addictive drugs (i.e. depression), you’ll find it difficult to detox completely from addictive drugs.

Call Dr. Agresti today to get help with Drug & Alcohol Addiction.

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

http://206.189.200.158 ~ (561) 842-9550

Dr. Mark Agresti, West Palm Beach Mental Health Specialist – Psychiatrist, explains what is Generalized Anxiety Disorder.  He explains the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.  Learn the behaviors and some of the treatments used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.  Generalized anxiety disorder is treatable.

Call Dr. Agresti today to get help with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Family or Friend is suffering from Drug or Alcohol Addiction

http://206.189.200.158 ~ (561) 842-9550

Dr. Mark Agresti, West Palm Beach Drug & Alcohol Detox Specialist – Psychiatrist, explains how to tell if a family member or friend is suffering from alcohol or drug addiction.  He explains the signs, symptoms of behavioral, social and physical changes of someone with Drug & Alcohol Addictions.  Alcohol & Drug Addiction should be treated with help.  Learn how to approach your loved ones with drug and alcohol addictions.

Call Dr. Agresti today to get your loved ones help!

Drug Addiction Rehab: Treatments, Detox limits and Options

http://206.189.200.158 ~ (561) 842-9550

Dr. Agresti, West Palm Beach Mental Health Specialist – Psychiatrist, talks about drug addiction rehab options.  If you or a loved one has a problem with drug or alcohol addictions, you should know the options for addiction detox rehab.  Not all drug addictions require in-patient treatment.  Many drug addictions can be treated in outpatient care.  Dr. Agresti, in this video, shares the time periods to expect for drug addiction rehab.

Call Dr. Agresti today to get help with Alcohol & Drug Detox.