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Dr. Jamey Adam Hecht, LMFT is a family therapist in Brooklyn, NY specializing in family therapy.
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Addictions
Addictions are chronic diseases of compulsive or uncontrollable behavior which may have adverse health effects. Addictions can include substance abuse (such as the abuse of opioids, alcohol, or prescription drugs) and certain non-drug related behaviors, such as gambling or video games. People with addictions may experience an uncontrollable urge to use substances or perform certain activities, although these behaviors may be harmful to themselves and others.
Those suffering with a substance abuse addiction are often unable to cease their behavior without some form of medical intervention. Studies have found that repeat use of certain drugs can figuratively rewire the brain, resulting in alterations to neural pathways associated with dopamine. This means that repeat drug users may become reliant on consuming the substance in order to function. For example, those with alcohol addiction ("alcoholism") become physically dependent on alcohol and may experience extreme withdrawal symptoms when avoiding alcohol entirely; in rare cases, medically unsupervised withdrawal can lead to death.
Behavioral addictions are similar to substance abuse addictions; however, people with behavioral addictions are addicted to a behavior or emotion associated with certain behaviors, as opposed to drugs. In addition to gambling, common behavioral addictions include food, video games, social media, shopping, and pornography addictions. When performing the activity, people experience euphoria (a rush of dopamine) that slowly lessens over time, meaning they build a tolerance and dependency on a behavior. For example, people who are addicted to shopping may need to purchase more items or spend more money to feel the same rush that once fueled their addiction.
Addictions can be assessed through a variety of means such as diagnostic screening, abuse assessment, or psychiatric evaluation. Treatment can help patients recover from their addictions and manage mental and physical health conditions related to their addiction. People with addictions may be treated in rehabilitative treatment facilities, hospitals, and other clinical settings.
Addiction treatment for substance abuse may include:
Addiction treatments for both substance abuse and behavioral addictions may include:
Addiction treatment has expanded to include care for patient substance abuse in non-clinical settings. A number of community programs now provide at-risk substance users a safe place or means to use drugs and mobile doctor's services for drug-associated illnesses and injuries. Behavioral addictions are also gaining increased attention as researchers and mental health professionals seek to better understand and treat them. For example, some researchers are assessing the connections between video game addiction and childhood risk factors. More and more, mental health experts are recognizing the importance of meeting people with addictions where they are at, using more advanced treatments. Addiction treatment is intended to care for people with addictions with compassion and respect.
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.
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.
He has a state license in New York.
Licensed In: New York
Dr. Jamey Adam Hecht, LMFT has an average of 1.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Jamey Adam Hecht, LMFT from all over the web to help you find the right in Brooklyn, NY.
My experience with Jamey Hecht through Spring Health was deeply disappointing and, in my view, unprofessional. I gave him multiple opportunities to establish a productive therapeutic relationship. Instead, I experienced dismissive communication, repeated lateness, an apparent lack of preparation, and a missed appointment without notice. Taken together, these experiences left me feeling that my time, vulnerability, and needs as a client were not being taken seriously. The problems began before our first session. His website advertised a free introductory consultation to help prospective clients assess fit. My first appointment was several weeks away, and I reached out because I was seeking help and wanted to understand whether we would be a suitable match. He declined, explaining that he offered those consultations to his own clients and would not offer one to me because I was using Spring Health and was not paying him directly. The way he framed that distinction made me feel like a second-class client before therapy had even begun. Accessing care through an employer benefit should not make a person’s needs or time less deserving of consideration. I nevertheless proceeded. He arrived at least five minutes late to both sessions he attended. During the first, I spent most of the time sharing personal history and discussing sensitive, difficult experiences. At our second session, approximately three weeks later, he did not appear to remember the substance of that conversation. He explained that we had only met once and that three weeks had passed. When I asked about his notes, he read them aloud at my request. They were detailed, but the interaction left me with the clear impression that he had not reviewed them before joining. I found that unacceptable. Sharing painful personal information requires trust and emotional effort. I expected him to arrive prepared to continue the conversation. Having to prompt him to consult his own notes and reestablish context I had already entrusted to him left me feeling that the burden of maintaining continuity was being placed on me. I raised my concerns directly and gave him another chance. He then failed to join our third appointment altogether. There was no advance notice, cancellation, or update. I texted nine minutes after the scheduled start to say I was online and received no response at that time. I ultimately had to contact Spring Health support and file a complaint. He later apologized and cited an unforeseen family appointment. After I told him I intended to leave public reviews, his communication became extensive and detailed. That change was particularly frustrating: he demonstrated that he could communicate at length, after leaving me waiting without an update when I was relying on him for care. The sequence left me feeling that the potential effect on his reputation received more attention than the effect his conduct had already had on me. His apologies did not undo the cumulative loss of trust. I should not have had to mention public reviews before receiving that level of attention and explanation. Clients are expected to respect appointment times and cancellation requirements. I expect a therapist to show corresponding respect through preparation, reliability, and timely communication. Those expectations apply regardless of how the care is funded. I came seeking support and instead found myself repeatedly having to address basic failures of professionalism. For a relationship that depends so heavily on trust and communication, this was a serious failure to meet the standards I expect. I would not recommend him.
Dr. Jamey Hecht is a specialist in family therapy. His areas of expertise include depression, coping with life changes, and existential psychotherapy.
