An accurate diagnosis is the first step in effective treatment.  All new patients receive a full psychiatric evaluation including an account of the onset, nature and development of the individual's current difficulties, personal history, medical history, social circumstances, family relationships, current and past use of alcohol and illicit drugs, and the individual's past treatment history. The psychiatric history includes an exploration of the individual's culture and ethnicity as cultural values. The initial assessment may include contact with past or current treatment providers, meetings with family members or significant others (with the patient’s consent), medical/lab testing or other inquiries.

Treating psychiatric disorders with medication can be a fairly complicated matter as it involves various brain receptors that drugs target. Psychiatric medications can, however, have powerful effects in reducing suffering and improving quality of life. There are many classes of psychiatric medications and finding the correct one is important for achieving clinical effectiveness.

Another effective treatment specifically designed for the treatment of depression is direct-to-brain stimulation. Dr. Lizzi offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-systemic and non-invasive treatment cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication. This non-invasive treatment for depression uses a highly focused, pulsed magnetic field to stimulate function in targeted brain regions. Visit our website at www.TMSCenterofAmerica.com for more information.

Psychotherapy is the process that accomplishes an increased awareness of the patient’s motivations and patterns.  Relief from symptoms lies in discovering and incorporating into our constant, every-day consciousness that which is being masked, distracted from, or indirectly "acted out" in symptoms. Depending on the specific difficulties, psychotherapy can work alone or enhance the effects of other treatments when used in conjunction.  In fact, even when the focus of treatment is not symptom relief but rather a general increase in contentment, power, freedom, happiness -- "self-actualization" it’s sometimes called -- the key is awareness.

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