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Alvaro Q. Barriga, PhD is a child psychologist in Pittsburgh, PA specializing in child psychology. Alvaro Q. Barriga, PhD is affiliated with Allegheny Health Network and ALLEGHENY CLINIC.
Allegheny Health Network
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Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa, commonly referred to as anorexia, is a disorder where people severely restrict the types and quantity of food they eat. People with anorexia have an extreme fear of eating and gaining weight, and may perceive weight loss as a way to achieve happiness. They may repeatedly weigh themselves or engage in harmful behaviors such as excessive exercise or starvation. Those with anorexia often find themselves preoccupied with food, but unable to consume a normal amount of it, resulting in symptoms such as:
-Abnormally low BMI (body mass index)
-Vitamin deficiency
-Fatigue
-Fainting
-Amenorrhea (lack of menstruation in women)
-Emaciation
-Poor wound healing
-Anemia
-Irregular heart rhythms
Anorexia may also cause bluish discoloration of the hands, brittle and falling out hair, yellowish skin, and lanugo (fine, downy hair). These physical symptoms are frequently accompanied by altered behaviors and emotions. Those with anorexia may feel compelled to hide their weight and actions from others. For example, someone with anorexia may wear oversized or baggy clothing to conceal weight loss or may deny hunger or lie about the amount of food that he or she consumes. Some people with anorexia may withdraw from social activities and may experience irritability and depression.
People of all ages, genders, and races may be diagnosed with anorexia; however, the condition affects more women than men. There is no single known cause for anorexia, but biological, psychological, and environmental factors may play a role. Athletes who participate in certain sports that emphasize body shape and size (such as ballet, figure skating, and wrestling) may be more likely to develop anorexia.
Anorexia has two subtypes that are referred to as the restrictive type and binge-purge type.
Restrictive type is the more frequently represented form of anorexia, involving the extreme restriction of food. Binge-purge type anorexia is food restriction accompanied by episodes of binging (eating large quantities of food) and purging (vomiting). Binge-purge type anorexia differs from bulimia as people with this type of anorexia severely limit calories and purge most of what they eat and are generally underweight, while those with bulimia are in a normal weight range. Left untreated, both types of anorexia have severe and life-threatening effects on health. Anorexia can lead to heart failure and even death.
Many people do not consciously develop anorexia, and have difficulty seeking treatment. For this reason, early detection and treatment helps with long-term recovery outcomes. Treatment for anorexia can vary from therapy visits to inpatient treatment, depending on the severity of a person's anorexia. Severe anorexia is typically treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, where patients increase their food consumption and gain weight under medical supervision. Eating disorder specialists provide therapy sessions and oversee a physical and mental treatment plan. Outpatient programs help patients return to a healthy weight through frequent talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions, specialized nutrition plans, and eating disorder support groups. Anorexia treatment aims to not only restore physical health and correct negative behaviors, but to also promote psychological well-being and self-confidence.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that people may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD causes recurring nightmares, flashbacks, and disturbing memories about the traumatic event. It is frequently triggered by particularly intense and life-threatening incidents. For example, someone involved in a serious car accident may have severe anxiety about the accident months or even years later. War veterans and people involved in armed conflict are particularly prone to developing PTSD. In decades past, PTSD was called shellshock and was used to describe the negative emotions that soldiers endured from war. Today, medical professionals who treat PTSD recognize that it can occur in all types of people and can result from all types of traumatic incidents. It is not known exactly why some people develop PTSD, although PTSD frequently arises from:
People who have experienced significant and repeated trauma are more likely to develop PTSD. Those who have disorders like depression or a family history of depression may also be more prone to PTSD. PTSD symptoms typically begin one month to one year following the traumatic event. There are four main categories of PTSD symptoms:
The intensity and frequency of these symptoms can vary over time. PTSD symptoms may suddenly return after disappearing for years. Many PTSD patients find treatment helps to gradually reduce their symptoms over time.
The most common treatments for PTSD are psychotherapy and oral medications. Psychotherapy for PTSD can include cognitive therapy (therapy to change thought patterns), exposure therapy (therapy to confront memories of the traumatic incident) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). EMDR integrates exposure therapy with guided eye movements to help patients confront and process their trauma. Certain oral medications may help with PTSD, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Self-care, support groups, and relaxation may also benefit those with PTSD.
The path to overcoming PTSD can be long and challenging and people with PTSD can benefit greatly by seeking professional treatment from a mental health care provider. Treatment can reduce PTSD symptoms, provide essential coping strategies, and improve one's quality of life.
He has a state license in Pennsylvania.
Licensed In: Pennsylvania
Alvaro Q. Barriga, PhD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Dr. Alvaro Barriga specializes in child psychology and practices in Pittsburgh, PA. He has a special interest in psychological trauma and psychology. He is professionally affiliated with Allegheny Health Network.
