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Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD

Specializes in: Psychiatry
Northeast Ohio Medical University (1998)
Professional interests include: anxiety, addictions, depression, and more.
3540 Seven Bridges Drive Suite 230
Woodridge, IL 60517

Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD is a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL specializing in psychiatry. He graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 1998 and has 28 years of experience. Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD is affiliated with Endeavor Health.

View Doctor's Full Profile (630) 964-9400

Office Locations

Endeavor Health

3329 75th Street 2nd Floor
Woodridge, IL 60517
(331) 221-2507
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3540 Seven Bridges Drive Suite 230
Woodridge, IL 60517
(630) 964-9400
(630) 964-9375
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Some issues Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD can help you with:

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:

  • Detoxification (withdrawal from an addictive substance)
  • Pharmacotherapy (prescription medications), such as buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone), disulfiram, and naltrexone to ease withdrawal symptoms
  • Overdose treatment, such as the administration of naloxone (also known as Narcan)

Addiction treatments for both substance abuse and behavioral addictions may include:

  • Addiction therapy and psychiatric care, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Prescription medicine for co-occurring psychiatric disorders
  • Twelve-step programs and support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Food Addicts Anonymous (FA)

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:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Phobias
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Social phobia
  • Panic disorder

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:

  • 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.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 25%

By Volume:

electroconvulsive therapy

In 2012, Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD performed more electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within Illinois.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care, medication management and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic evaluation 42
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 198
hospital care 384
inpatient care 384
medication management 325
mental health therapy 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 266
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 265
hospital care 497
inpatient care 497

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 68
Female 109
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 161
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 46
From 75 to 84 20
85 and over 18
Less than 65 93

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2013

Hypertension 56
High Cholesterol 51
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 14
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 20
Diabetes 29
Dementia 27
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2014 were hospital care, inpatient care and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 209
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 229
hospital care 271
inpatient care 271

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 59
Female 89
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 134
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 41
From 75 to 84 24
85 and over 12
Less than 65 71

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2014

Hypertension 56
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 16
Asthma 12
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 18
Diabetes 32
Dementia 26
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2015 were electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 206
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 265
hospital care 228
inpatient care 228

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 120
Female 182
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 268
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 78
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 178

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2015

Hypertension 56
High Cholesterol 55
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 17
Asthma 19
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 15
Diabetes 20
Dementia 18
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2016 were hospital care, inpatient care and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 232
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 312
hospital care 345
inpatient care 345

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 53
Female 93
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 131
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 35
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 89

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2016

Hypertension 49
High Cholesterol 45
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 25
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 26
Asthma 29
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 18
Diabetes 25
Dementia 19
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2017 were electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 232
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 265
hospital care 146
inpatient care 146

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 52
Female 94
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 129
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 35
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 81

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2017

Hypertension 60
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 25
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 30
Asthma 19
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 18
Diabetes 24
Dementia 18
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2018 were hospital care, inpatient care and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 258
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 276
hospital care 276
inpatient care 276

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 74
Female 97
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 145
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 52
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 77

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2018

Hypertension 67
High Cholesterol 55
Stroke 7
Ischemic Heart Disease 29
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 37
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 11
Heart Failure 16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 19
Diabetes 28
Dementia 28
Cancer 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2019 were electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 228
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 389
hospital care 286
inpatient care 286

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 68
Female 99
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 143
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 65
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 63

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2019

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 66
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 32
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 43
Asthma 17
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 16
Diabetes 32
Dementia 35
Cancer 14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2020 were hospital care, inpatient care and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 111
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 373
hospital care 380
inpatient care 380

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 55
Female 96
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 124
Black 0
Hispanic 12
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 65
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 47

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2020

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 65
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 30
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 41
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 11
Atrial Fibrilation 9
Heart Failure 17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 14
Diabetes 31
Dementia 38
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2021 were electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 42
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 381
hospital care 84
inpatient care 84

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 40
Female 81
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 104
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 43
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 39

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2021

Hypertension 72
High Cholesterol 68
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 33
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 36
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 12
Heart Failure 17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 31
Dementia 32
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL during 2022 were electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 52
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) 316
hospital care 94
inpatient care 94

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Male 47
Female 72
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 101
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 39
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 38

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD in 2022

Hypertension 71
High Cholesterol 66
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 21
Depression 75
Chronic Kidney Disease 20
Asthma 15
Osteoperosis 13
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 26
Dementia 23
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated as a psychiatrist in Woodridge, IL were hospital care, inpatient care, diagnostic evaluation and mental health therapy.

diagnostic evaluation 42
doctor visit 183
hospital care 271
inpatient care 271
mental health therapy 13

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD.

Gender
Female 92
Male 57
Ethnicity
Black / African American 0
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 130
Hispanic 1
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Other 0
Age
85 and over 2
75 to 84 4
Less than 65 70
65 to 74 45

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD treated were depression, hypertension, high cholesterol and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension 56
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 1
Ischemic Heart Disease 25
Depression 68
Chronic Kidney Disease 25
Asthma 15
Osteoporosis 6
Heart Failure 12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 14
Diabetes 25
Atrial Fibrillation 5
Dementia 24
Cancer 7

Education & Training

Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 1998. He completed residency at Loyola University Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has a state license in Illinois.

Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University (1998)

Residency: Loyola University Affiliated Hospitals (1992)

Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (1993)

Licensed In: Illinois

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Endeavor Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 16 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Woodridge, IL. 

4.95
Overall Rating
Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Walter J. Whang, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. $424 REXULTI
$424
Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. $166 Brintellix
$87 		Trintellix
$79
Allergan Inc. $126 VRAYLAR
$126
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc $100
$100
Amgen Inc. $94 Aimovig
$94
Other $54 AMYVID
$20 		LYBALVI
$16 		Brintellix
$15 		LATUDA
$4
Types of Payments
Food and Beverage $889
Education $75

Biography

Dr. Walter Whang's specialty is psychiatry. He has a special interest in depression, addictions, and psychiatry. Dr. Whang is affiliated with Endeavor Health. After attending Northeast Ohio Medical University for medical school, he completed his residency training at a hospital affiliated with Loyola University. He has received a 5.0 out of 5 star rating by his patients.

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