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Dr. Jaclyn Danielle Cravens Pickens, LMFT-A is a family therapist in Lubbock, TX specializing in family therapy.
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Anxiety
Anxiety is a generic name given to a variety of conditions characterized by unusual amounts of fear and worry, especially unrealistic fears and tension. People who suffer from anxiety often are aware that their fears are irrational, but that knowledge does not make the feeling of being scared and anxious go away. To qualify as anxiety, symptoms must last for 6 months or more and interfere with the way a person lives their daily life. Some cases may be mild, where, for example, a person simply avoids certain situations. Other cases can be severe enough to be disabling.
Some of the specific conditions covered under the general label of anxiety include:
Collectively, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issues diagnosed in the United States -- even more common than depression. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with anxiety, and it is extremely common for a person with anxiety to have another illness at the same time, such as depression, a physical illness, or substance abuse.
Treatment for anxiety usually involves medication and psychotherapy together. Medications used may include antidepressants (which also work for anxiety), anti-anxiety medications, or beta blockers (which can be used to control the physical symptoms of anxiety). Psychotherapy can be useful to teach patients new ways of thinking and reacting so that they can manage their feelings of worry and fear. Support groups can also be very effective for anxiety, and they can be a form of treatment themselves for social phobias. Stress management, relaxation techniques, and meditation all help reduce feelings of anxiety or of being out of control. Finally, having a strong support network of family and friends is an excellent way to help manage the difficulties of life with anxiety.
Child Therapy
Child therapy, also referred to as children's therapy, is a form of mental health treatment for the mental health, trauma, and developmental issues of children and adolescents. Child therapy is performed by child therapists and child psychologists. These providers are trained to treat children with age-appropriate therapeutic methods. Sessions can be one-on-one between the therapist and child, or may include one or more family members. Common reasons a child may see a child therapist include:
Child therapy can differ from what is frequently thought of as adult therapy. Although both forms of therapy are discussion or talk-based, child therapists may employ activities to better engage children. For example, a child therapist may encourage children to draw pictures or play a simple board game. This is known as "play therapy." Play activities enable therapists to better assess a child's emotions in a comfortable setting. Play therapy may also reveal issues that a child is unable to independently verbalize or express. Other types of child therapy may include:
The goals of child therapy differ for each child, but generally include an increased sense of well-being, decreased distress and anxiety, and increased confidence in school and the community. Ideally, children and adolescents who complete child therapy feel more self-assured and better prepared to grow into their next stage of life.
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:
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.
She has a state license in Texas.
Licensed In: Texas
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Dr. Jaclyn Pickens is a family therapy specialist in Lubbock, TX. Dr. Pickens has obtained a license to practice in Texas.
