Saber Psychiatry Provides a Fresh Start for the New Year

If you or a family member has been struggling with mental health challenges, start 2023 with a comprehensive assessment from Saber Psychiatry

Traditionally, the new year is the time for a fresh start. Saber Psychiatry provides comprehensive psychiatric assessment and treatment for the entire family. We work with children from ages 2 and up, adolescents, and adults up to age 65. Call us at 615.678.7839 to schedule an appointment, which is available in person or via telehealth.

  • Board-certified psychiatrist
  • Children, adolescents, and adults
  • Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations
  • Conservative medication management
  • Holistic approaches
  • Sleep disorder evaluations, studies, and treatment
  • Family therapy, parent training
  • Exceptional care
  • Appointments are available
  • Experienced and caring

Saber Psychiatry takes mental health seriously, and we encourage you to do the same.

Spotlight on Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADHD)

People frequently claim that they or others must have ADHD, but only a medical professional can do the assessments and make an informed diagnosis. While there is no single test to diagnose ADHD, trained professionals will run a series of tests if a person has a collection of symptoms that impair function and that have lasted for at least 6 months.

ADHD usually appears before 12 years, although people may go undiagnosed even until adulthood. Children who do well in school or who do not have behavior problems (especially at school) may go undiagnosed. Even in the enlightened 21st century, girls often go undiagnosed.

Testing for ADHD may include a physical exam to determine whether there are non-psychological causes for symptoms (such as vision or hearing loss, sleep disorders, or seizures). It will also include an interview with the person as well as psychological instruments – typically rating scales – to evaluate the symptoms.

Criteria:

We look for a pattern of symptoms that have lasted for at least 6 months, with 6 or more symptoms showing for children up to 16 years, 5 or more for adolescents, and adults who are 17 or older; we also check whether the symptoms are developmentally inappropriate. This latter point is very important as children and adolescents are not just mini-adults.

Inattentive type:

  • Failure to pay close attention to details, careless mistakes in schoolwork/ work or other activities
  • Difficulty attending to required tasks
  • Often seems not to listen when spoken to directly
  • Loses focus, easily sidetracked
  • Difficulty organizing tasks, activities
  • Avoids tasks that require mental effort over an extended time (homework or other work) especially when that task is unpleasant (for example, a child who likes math may be willing to spend time on math assignments, but not on others)
  • Often loses items that are needed for various tasks/activities (books, wallet, mobile phones, paperwork…)
  • Forgetful

Hyperactivity or impulsivity type:

  • Fidgets, taps hands or feet, squirms while seated
  • Leaves seat even when remaining in the seat is expected
  • Children may run or climb when it is not appropriate; adolescents and adults may show other signs of restlessness
  • Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly, may hum or talk aloud to self
  • Talks excessively
  • Overshares
  • Often acts as if driven by a motor
  • May interrupt, blurt out answers (again, compared to age cohorts)
  • Has trouble waiting for their turns
  • Intrudes into conversations or games

Diagnoses may be inattentive, hyperactive, or mixed.

Symptoms must meet these conditions:

  • Several symptoms must be present before age 12
  • Symptoms must be present in at least two settings (home, school/work, with friends/relatives, …)
  • The symptoms interfere with the person’s functioning at school/work, with friends/family, or any other social situations
  • The symptoms are not exclusively part of psychotic or other disorders and can’t be explained by either mood or physical health problems

Saber Psychiatry provides both assessments and treatments.

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