Tag Archives: symptoms

Anxiety Panic Grief Depression, Bipolar Mood Disorders, Marital Family Issues

Symptoms of Depression and other mood disorders

10 Comments

By: James E. DelGenio MS, LCPC
Senior Staff Therapist,
The Family Institute at Northwestern University

Symptoms of clinical depression & symptoms of situational depression.

If left untreated, symptoms of depression, anxiety and panic may worsen and severely disrupt one’s life. These symptoms can cause untold suffering and possibly lead to hospitalization, strained relationships, divorce or even suicide. Recognizing the symptoms of a mood disorder is often the biggest hurdle to the diagnosis and treatment. I will list commonly recognized symptoms; see how many apply to you. Typically, if you recognize more than two or three from the checklist below you should consider getting an evaluation by a licensed professional.

Symptoms of depression, panic and anxiety checklist: Note the symptoms that apply to you.
__ Lack of pleasure, loss of interest and energy
__ Lack of goal-directed behavior, lack of motivation, lethargy
__ Lack of insight into one’s own behavior
__ Inability to structure time, poor concentration
__ Anger, hostility, irritability
__ Strained relationships, marital conflict, loss of friends
__ Withdrawal, isolation, would rather be alone
__ Difficulty in getting along with people
__ Sleeping too much or too little
__ Anxiety, worry, sadness, low mood
__ False beliefs, negative thinking, rumination
__ Feeling guilty, stressed or hopeless
__ Poor self-care including hygiene and diet
__ Aches, pains, dizziness, headaches, or stomach aches
__ Unintentional weight loss or gain
__ Crisis prone, police involvement
__ Low sex drive
__ Thoughts of suicide, homicide

Zoom!
Now I can work via zoom with anyone, anywhere in the country and it may currently be covered by BCBS Insurance. Check with your BCBS carrier for details.    Call Jim at 847-733-4300 Ext 638.

http://manageyourmood.net
http://family-institute.org
http://takenotelessons.com    Highly Effective online, one on one, SAT, ACT, GRE, test preparation, via face time or Skype.

Disclaimer: This material is meant to be used in conjunction with psychiatric treatment, medication, if necessary, and supportive therapy. Always share this material and your questions about this material with your doctor and therapist.

Bipolar Mood Disorders, Glossary of terms, Substance Dependence

Psychiatric visit reporting form

2 Comments

By: James E. DelGenio MS, LCPC
Senior Staff Therapist,
The Family Institute at Northwestern University

Doctor reporting form. Help the Doctor help you!

Copy and present this to the doctor at each visit. This list is not all inclusive; report anything which may be useful for your treatment. Call 911 in case of emergency or with difficulty breathing!

Name: ___________________________________  Date: ________________

Indicate areas (“X”) in which you feel you need training and education:
1.__ Depression, Mood Disorder, Serious MI
2.__ Use of Psychiatric Medication
3.__ Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Addiction
4.__ Medication Side Effects
5.__ Adverse Reactions
6.__ Dual Diagnosis – MI & Alcohol/Substance Abuse
7.__ Storage of Medication, Safe Guarding Medication
8.__ Medical Emergencies
9.__ Questions About Medications
10.__ Other____________________________________________________________________________________

Do you take your medication daily as prescribed?  __ Yes __ No
Have the benefits & purpose of medication been explained?   __ Yes __ No  Is additional training needed?  __ Yes __ No                                                                      Do you use alcohol and substances?  __Yes  __ No                                                                                                                Comments___________________________________________________________________

Fill in all boxes below with one of the following codes
NA = Not applicable, no problem noted
U = Unable to determine
X = Problem noted, see comments
S = Symptoms

Common Issues, Symptoms & Possible Medication Side Effects.  In case of an emergency or severe reaction call 911.
__ Mood, stability,
__ Swelling
__ Constipation,
__ Diarrhea
__ Anxiety, panic
__ Muscle cramps
__ Headache
__ Suicidal, homicidal thoughts, or plans (call 911)
__ Restlessness, inability to sit still, pacing
__ Abnormal eye movements
__ Dry mouth
__ Tremor
__ Blurred vision
__ Sexual dysfunction
__ Relationship issues, conflict
__ Menstrual problems
__ Urinary retention
__ Depression, mood swings
__ Anger, irritability, hostility
__ Appetite loss, increased appetite
__ Involuntary weight changes
__ Employment issues
__ Poor concentration
__ Poor short term memory
__ Social isolation, withdrawal
__ Eye photo-sensitivity
__ Poor Concentration
__ Hearing voices
__ Poor daily functioning
__ Skin photo-sensitivity
__ Sleep/wake cycle, poor sleep, no sleep
__ Difficulty swallowing or breathing, (call 911)
__ Negative rumination, (negative thoughts on repeat in your head)
__ Skin rash
__ Nausea, vomiting

Comments,_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional comments and concerns: Include: (1) Alcohol and drug use (2) Medication compliance (3) Suicidal or homicidal thoughts or plan (4) Other issues, reactions, side effects or Questions?

Zoom!  Now I can work via zoom, with anyone, anywhere in the country and it may still be covered by BCBS Insurance. Check with your BCBS representative for more information.  Call for cash quote.  Call James E. DelGenio MS, LCPC, Senior Staff Therapist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, 847-733-4300 Ext 638.

http://manageyourmood.net
http://family-institute.org
http://takenotelessons.com   Highly effective online, one on one, SAT, ACT, GRE, standardized test preparation, via face time or skype.

Disclaimer: This material is meant to be used in conjunction with psychiatric treatment, medication, if necessary, and supportive therapy.  Always share this material and your questions about this material with your doctor and therapist.

Alcohol Dependence, Anxiety Panic Grief Depression, Bipolar Mood Disorders

What are the causes of relapse to symptoms of depression

3 Comments

By: James E. DelGenio MS, LCPC
Senior Staff Therapist,
The Family Institute at Northwestern University

What causes relapse?  

The causes of relapse to active symptoms of mood disorder have been well documented over the years. It’s no surprise that these reflect the relapse warning signs listed below.
They are:
• Medication non-compliance (Not taking the medication as prescribed).
• Alcohol and substance use and abuse.
• Little or no sleep.
• Lack of social support, isolation.

Non-compliance with medication and alcohol or substance use or abuse are by far the leading causes of relapse to symptoms. These are self-explanatory. However, little or no sleep and lack of social support also need to be addressed.

Alcohol and/or substance abuse will cause relapse to active symptoms of depression, panic and anxiety. If you are not an alcoholic, I recommend no more than 2 drinks twice per week but never in back to back days. If you mood dips in the days following you should consider abstinence.

Sleep is an important issue for most with mood disorders. People with Bipolar disorders usually report that they don’t need much sleep. They have a tendency to play with their sleep/wake cycle. They like the euphoric hypomanic feeling that lack of sleep creates. It is very much like the moth and the flame. There is an attraction to the high that one gets when they are sleep deprived. Unfortunately, you can take anyone in the world and keep them awake for two, three or four days, they will become actively psychotic. For people with a mood disorder, sleep is a mental health issue.

Social support is also very much a part of maintaining good mental health. Even if one is compliant with medication and not using or abusing alcohol and drugs, social isolation can create considerable stress and ultimately cause a relapse to symptoms. It is imperative that people with mental disorders, have an avenue to combat their tendency to isolate and withdraw from people. I encourage my clients to maintain regular social contact. This contact creates reality testing. We don’t think of socialization as reality testing but it is. For example: You have an argument with your spouse; you call a friend and say here is what happened. What do you think? You get feedback on your situation and behavior. That is reality testing. Lack of social support may result in an inability to test the accuracy of what one is feeling or experiencing. This is obviously a very important component of maintaining good mental health.

Zoom!   Now I can work via Zoom with anyone, anywhere in the country and it may be covered by BCBS Insurance. Check with your BCBS representative for more information.   Call James E. DelGenio MS, LCPC, Senior Staff Therapist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, 847-733-4300 Ext 638.  I am currently doing Zoom only.

http://manageyourmood.net
http://family-institute.org
http://takenotelessons.com   Effective on line, one on one, SAT, ACT, GRE, standardized test preparation, via face time or skype and much more.

Disclaimer: This material is meant to be used in conjunction with psychiatric treatment, medication, if necessary, and supportive therapy. Always share this material and your questions about this material with your doctor and therapist.