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Wendy E. Coughlin, PHD is a counselor in Largo, FL specializing in counseling and psychology.
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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.
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.
She has a state license in Florida.
Licensed In: Florida
Wendy E. Coughlin, PHD has an average of 1.0 out of 5 stars based on 2 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Wendy E. Coughlin, PHD from all over the web to help you find the right in Largo, FL.
This lady was assigned as a Guardian Ad Litem for our case and I must say she doesn't need to have a license. She has treated myself and our children with little to no respect. She made a report recommending the children be with the other parent without speaking to the children for over a year. Understand mother has caused kids mental and emotional abuse along with two CPS cases where she sexually battered our child. Wendy has always sided with the mother. She wrote a report recommending the mother have full custody. SHE MADE THIS RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT AFTER NOT HAVING SPOKEN TO THE CHILDREN OR THE OTHER PARENT FOR 1 YEAR AND 24 DAYS! She is old and I believe going senile. She can't remember anything she states and has lied under oath multiple times. We will be going after her practice after our case. She is racist towards myself and our kids and very condescending as she feels she is superior to all. Her son in law works by her side but she controls what he reports and he says nothing to her as to not upset his mother in law. It's a bad practice and having spent over 50K and she has only seen our kids 4 times with one point being over 1 year since speaking to the children, but still made recommendations without speaking to kids or other parent. She just listened to one side. She changes her prices when it's convenient for her. We wanted to depose her and she requested an Absurd amount one week prior to her deposition. We were unable to make that payment. Now she is asking for more money up front, over 12K just to show up for court. Never previously did she charge us for court. She knows her practices are biased and she is racial and will do whatever she can to avoid being put in the stand. This is your typical Pinellas County, rich caucasian woman, over 70 years old without a clue of what is going on. Tread carefully with this BIGOT. She is an ABSOLUTE disgrace to the medical community. Other GALS have spoken horribly about her practice. Caution in appointing her for anything related to medical or psychological practice.
Please know you can file a complaint https://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/enforcement/_documents/complaint-form-2015.pdf If this woman has deliberately harmed your family and child(ren). In my case she has been CORRUPT. This woman is horrible. She will make up straight lies even when she has hard scientific test results in front of her. Her opinion is for sale. There is a group of Parents who have formed The Collaborative Justice Group against COURT CORRUPTION. Our mission is to stop the Court Corruption Ring out of St. Pete which includes Wendy Coughlin. You can email us stopcourtcorruptionnow@gmail.com Additionally, Wendy Coughlin is NOT a Licensed Psychologist. Beware of good reviews and question who actually wrote them. This woman is the scum of the earth.
Dr. Wendy Coughlin works as a psychology and counseling specialist in Largo, FL.
