Procedure Volume Patient Data Patient Conditions Reviews Back to Top

As an affiliate of BetterHelp, DocSpot may receive a commission if you purchase services through this link.

Home > IA Providers > Addiction Counselors

Allison Jean Sykes, LISW, CADC

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Addiction Therapy, Counseling and Social Work

Professional interests include: mental health issues, depression, substance use disorder, and more.

403 1st Street Se
Belmond, IA 50421

(641) 444-3500

Allison Jean Sykes, LISW, CADC is an addiction therapist in Belmond, IA specializing in addiction therapy, counseling and social work. Allison Jean Sykes, LISW, CADC is affiliated with Iowa Speciality Hospitals & Clinics and BELMOND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

Office Locations

Address:

403 1st Street Se
Belmond, IA 50421

Unable to locate address.

Address:

840 West Us-18
Garner, IA 50438

Therapy on Your Terms

Connecting with a therapist can be difficult. BetterHelp can help with that. They have an online network of licensed and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and counselors. You can connect with their therapists via online video, phone, real-time chat, or asynchronous messaging. Easily switch therapists until you find one that fits you. Sign up through DocSpot for a discount on your first month's subscription.

Save 20% on

As an affiliate of BetterHelp, DocSpot may receive a commission if you purchase services through this link.

Some issues Allison Jean Sykes, LISW, CADC can help you with:

Depression

Everyone knows what it feels like to get the blues once in a while. But depression is a serious illness that is more severe than a bad day and lasts much longer. Symptoms of depression stop a person from being able to function and enjoy daily activities for weeks or months at a time. It can happen to anyone, and it isn't something that people can control by force of will or "snap out of it."

Some common symptoms of depression include:

Feeling sad, guilty, empty or hopeless
Fatigue and a lack of energy and motivation
A loss of pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed
Unusual sleep or eating habits
Mental fog -- trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Physical aches and pains
Suicidal thoughts or a preoccupation with death

We don't yet know what causes depression, but it's thought that it is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social influences. Because of this, the most effective treatments for depression combine medication with psychotherapy. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in resolving the negative thoughts and feelings that come with depression. It gives patients new tools that they can use themselves to cope when their depression is making them feel down.

Some of the common medications used to treat depression include antidepressants such as SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) or atypical antidepressants (Cymbalta, Wellbutrin). It's important to remember that these medications have different effects on everybody, and no one medication works right for everyone. Patients may have to try a couple before finding the one that works just right for them. If the first medication they try doesn't work, they should talk to their doctor about trying something else. In extreme cases where medication is not enough, electro-convulsive therapy and hospitalization may be the answer to keeping a severely depressed person safe.

Depression is a difficult illness to deal with, but it is more common than believed and there are many people who can help. With the right treatment, individuals with depression can get back to fully enjoying life again.

Mental Health Issues

Mental health issues, also referred to as mental health disorders or mental health illnesses, are a wide variety of conditions that impact behavior, emotion, and cognition. There are many different forms of mental health issues, some of which are acute (short-term), while others are chronic. Common mental health issues include:

Anxiety disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and phobias
Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder
Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia
Personality disorders, such as borderline and narcissistic personality disorders
Grief and trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Impulse control and addiction disorders
Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

No single cause of mental health issues exists. Multiple factors may increase one's risk for developing mental health issues, including but not limited to:

Genetic history
Chemical imbalances in the brain
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Substance use
Exposure to viruses, chemicals, or other substances in the womb
Adverse life experiences, such as childhood trauma or recurring stress
Isolation and poor living conditions

Mental health issues are typically diagnosed by a provider like a psychiatrist or a psychologist. These issues are diagnosed through psychological evaluation and talk therapy.

Mental health therapy can be an effective tool in supporting people who are struggling with unwanted feelings, behaviors, or difficult circumstances in their lives. Many forms of therapy are available, including specialized therapies tailored to particular disorders. For many issues, therapists help patients manage their conditions through talk therapy. Other treatments can include medication or stays at a psychiatric facility. Mental health therapy can help people with mental health issues improve their mental and emotional wellbeing.