Gorham, Maine Psychiatrists for Mental Health Treatment & Therapy

Ketamine Treatment

Low-dose ketamine has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of depression and mood disorders.(2) It can rapidly alleviate depressive symptoms and may be essential for those who have not positively responded to first-line therapies or medication.

Ketamine can be administered through an IV under the oversight of a psychiatrist or trained behavioral health specialist. This is known as ketamine infusion, and its effects can be felt within minutes or hours, providing prompt relief for individuals suffering from severe symptoms. Bishop Health provides both ketamine infusion therapy and an intranasal ketamine treatment known as Spravato.

Individual Therapy

Often conducted by a psychiatrist, individual therapy is a common, evidence-based strategy used to provide mental health treatment. It is heavily based on the concepts of psychotherapy, which are designed to help individuals recognize and alter dysfunctional thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This therapy is a client-centered approach that encourages individuals to confront their emotions and better understand the factors that underlie their mental health challenges.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) is characterized by recurring therapy sessions, which require participation several hours per day, several days per week. These programs are more flexible than residential programs, in which individuals remain at a treatment facility around-the-clock. It is challenging for many seeking help for mental health issues to engage in full-time treatment due to obligations such as work and family. As such, an IOP can be essential for those who require greater flexibility or don’t need 24/7 care.

Mental Health Conditions & Disorders We Treat

The psychiatrists and other professionals at Bishop Health are trained and experienced in the treatment of various mental health conditions and disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that can significantly impact a person’s ability to function in their daily lives.(3) It is characterized by hyperactivity as well as difficulties focusing, paying attention, and organizing. These challenges can affect work performance, academic endeavors, and relationships.

Treatment can provide individuals with the support and strategies they need to better manage their executive dysfunction and improve overall functioning. Approaches typically include a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings that range from feelings of elation and increased energy (mania) to deep despair and hopelessness (depression).(4) This condition can dramatically impact an individual’s relationships, work or school performance, and quality of life. Treatment often consists of psychotherapy, antipsychotic medications, and lifestyle modifications.

Depression & Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a clinical diagnosis that requires specific criteria to be met.(5) This condition is not just about having the blues. It’s diagnosed when an individual experiences several symptoms over the same two-week period. These include depression, loss of interest or pleasure, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, and more. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and treatment often includes psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and family support.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are characterized by extreme anxiety, panic attacks, disproportionate worry or fear, and other symptoms.(6) These include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and others. Like many mental health conditions, these disorders are often treated with psychotherapy and medication.

An approach known as exposure therapy is also used, in which individuals are exposed to their fears or triggers in a controlled setting, helping them become desensitized to their anxiety-related fears and phobias.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which individuals are plagued by obsessive, intrusive, and distressing thoughts.(7) As a result, they use unhealthy coping methods in response to these symptoms, such as engaging in rigid and repetitive behaviors. These include actions such as constant hand-washing or repeating certain words or phrases.

Substance Use Co-Occurring Disorders

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are characterized by a persistent pattern of drug or alcohol use despite adverse consequences. Individuals struggling with these conditions often make several attempts to control their substance use without success and then develop withdrawal symptoms and cravings upon discontinuation. They also experience significant impairments in work, school, relationships, and other areas of life.

When a person struggles with an SUD in addition to a mental health condition, this is referred to as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder.(8) These issues tend to feed into each other through a cycle of escalation, in which substance use worsens mental health challenges and vice versa. Both problems also tend to have similar underlying factors that contribute to them. For these reasons, dual-diagnosis treatment is generally considered the best approach to tackling both SUDs and psychiatric issues simultaneously.

Mental Health Treatment in Gorham, ME

Bishop Health offers comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and is licensed to prescribe medication to treat various mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Psychiatric Evaluations

A psychiatric evaluation is a comprehensive assessment that consists of a structured interview during which the psychiatrist asks questions about the individual’s current emotional status, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They also gather information about their personal and family history, medical history, and any treatments or therapies they’ve used in the past. Questionnaires are also sometimes used to extract additional information about specific symptoms or conditions.

These assessments are essential to enable the psychiatrist to correctly diagnose the individual and develop an appropriate care plan personalized to meet their individual needs and goals.

Medication Management

Because psychiatrists have completed medical school and have obtained a degree such as Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), they are licensed to prescribe appropriate medication to treat individuals with mental health issues. During the course of the treatment, they will also monitor the drugs’ effectiveness and make adjustments to the patient’s regime as needed. They prescribe medication for a wide spectrum of mental health conditions, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and many others.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a specific type of medication management that focuses on the treatment of certain substance use disorders, namely opioid dependence and alcoholism. MAT for opioid use consists of methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Alcohol dependence can be treated with naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate. In both cases, medications are used to relieve withdrawal symptoms or reduce cravings for the substance being misused.