The Behavioral Health Services at Palos are here to help you identify the causes of your suffering and take those first steps toward positive change. Treatment begins by discussing your problems, concerns and where change is most desired.
Are you looking for help but not sure where to begin? Start here - the Behavioral Health Services at Palos Community Hospital.
Depression
People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent Sad, Anxious or "Empty" Feelings
- Feelings of Hopelessness and/or Pessimism
- Feelings of Guilt, Worthlessness and/or Helplessness
- Irritability, Restlessness
- Loss of Interest in Activities or Hobbies, Including Sex
- Fatigue and Decreased Energy
- Difficulty Concentrating, Remembering and Making Decisions
- Insomnia, Early-Morning Wakefulness or Excessive Sleeping
- Overeating or Appetite Loss
- Thoughts of Suicide, Suicide Attempts
- Persistent Aches or Pains, Headaches, Cramps, or Digestive Problems
Complete a Depression Screening.
Are you in crisis? Call our 24-hour crisis hotline at (708) 361-TALK (8255).
For more information about the Behavioral Health Services at Palos Community Hospital, call (708) 460-2721.
Bipolar
People with bipolar disorder (manic-depression) experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes." An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.
Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep and behavior go along with these changes in mood. It is possible for someone with bipolar disorder to experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods, rather than discrete episodes of depression or mania.
A person may be having an episode of bipolar disorder if he or she has a number of manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one or two weeks. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot function normally at work, school or home.
Complete a Bipolor Disorder Screening.
Are you in crisis? Call our 24-hour crisis hotline at (708) 361-TALK (8255).
For more information about the Behavioral Health Services at Palos Community Hospital, call (708) 460-2721.
Substance Abuse
The initial decision to drink alcohol and/or take drugs is mostly voluntary. However, when drug or alcohol abuse takes over, a person's ability to exert self control can become seriously impaired. As with any other disease, vulnerability to addiction differs from person to person.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain - they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting, and can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs.
Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:
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Craving – A strong need, or urge, to drink.
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Loss of Control – Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
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Physical Dependence – Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety, after stopping drinking.
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Tolerance – The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."
Complete an Alcohol Screening.
Drug Abuse and Addiction
Chronic exposure to drugs disrupts the way critical brain structures interact to control behavior, behavior specifically related to drug abuse. Just as continued abuse may lead to tolerance or the need for higher drug dosages to produce an effect, it also may lead to addiction, which can drive an abuser to seek out and take drugs compulsively. Drug addiction erodes a person's self-control and ability to make sound decisions, while sending intense impulses to take drugs.
Similar to other chronic, relapsing diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, drug addiction can be managed successfully. And, as with other chronic diseases, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again. Relapse, however, does not signal failure-rather, it indicates that treatment should be reinstated, adjusted, or that alternate treatment is needed to help the individual regain control and recover.
Are you in crisis? Call our 24-hour crisis hotline at (708) 361-TALK (8255).
For more information about the Behavioral Health Services at Palos Community Hospital, call (708) 460-2721.
Relationship Problems
Personal relationships are meant to be one of the good and health-promoting things that life offers. Relationships can provide help and support, guidance, connection, fellowship and intimacy; a platform for sharing the goals, values and visions of life, and much more. Whether among family or those with an affinity for each other, personal relationships are complex and often intense.
Accordingly, they can become problem-prone, beset by conflict and power struggles, distance and loss of connection, and other forms of distress. Our experienced and well-trained staff can assist you in the following areas:
Couples Concerns
Couples marry with the best of intentions and sweet dreams for the future. They are often dismayed to see their relationships deteriorate into a stagnant pattern of recurrent conflict, distance and power struggles. Often, the difficulties have their root in self-defeating attitudes and a lack of the kinds of skills needed to keep a relationship well-functioning and gratifying.
Whether your couple's problems show themselves in mishandled power-struggles, open conflict or increasing distance, these issues can be resolved and improved. Our therapists are able to use powerful treatment methods to help you address distorted thoughts and attitudes, improve communication and problem-solving skills, and to help restore caring and connection in the relationship.
Family Issues
Family conflict can occur when family members have different views or beliefs that clash. Sometimes problems arise when people misunderstand each other and jump to the wrong conclusion. Issues that are not resolved peacefully can lead to arguments and resentment.
It is normal to disagree with each other from time to time. However, ongoing conflict can be stressful and damaging to relationships. Some people find it difficult to manage their feelings and become hurtful.
It is well recognized that the transitions a family goes through can challenge a family's ability to resolve issues in a positive way. Issues may include:
- Learning to Live as a New Couple
- Birth of a Baby
- Birth of Other Children
- A Child Going to School
- A Child Becoming a Young Person
- A Young Person Becoming an Adult
Changes in the family situation also can take a toll on the family. These situations often challenge each family member's ability to cope. Such situations may include:
- Separation or Divorce
- Moving to a New House or Country
- Traveling Long Distances to Work
- Commuting Interstate for Work
- Change in Financial Circumstances
When should you seek help as a family? Some general guidelines include:
- Family conflict begins to head out of control
- Family member's behavior changes in a negative way (including alcohol or drug abuse)
- Family members begin to experience psychiatric symptoms
- The conflict or distance is too intense and affects the effective functioning of one or more family members
Let our experienced and well-trained therapists help restore your relationships and your family.
Are you in crisis? Call our 24-hour crisis hotline at (708) 361-TALK (8255).
For more information about the Behavioral Health Services at Palos Community Hospital, call (708) 460-2721.
Anxiety
Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event (such as speaking in public or going on a first date), anxiety disorders last at least six months and can get worse if they are not treated. Anxiety disorders commonly occur along with other mental or physical illnesses, including alcohol or substance abuse, which may mask anxiety symptoms or make them worse. In some cases, these other illnesses need to be treated before a person will respond to treatment for the anxiety disorder.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) go through the day filled with exaggerated worry and tension, even though there is little or nothing to provoke it. They anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about health issues, money, family problems or difficulties at work. Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety.
GAD is diagnosed when a person worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least six months. People with GAD can't seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. Other symptoms of GAD include:
- Inability to Relax
- Startle Easily
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Trouble Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep
- Fatigue and Decreased Energy
- Persistent Aches or Pains
- Persistent Headaches
- Persistent Muscle Tension or Muscle Aches
- Difficulty Swallowing
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- Trembling or Twitching
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Frequent Urination
- Feeling Out of Breath
- Hot Flashes
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When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and hold down a job. Although they don't avoid certain situations, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities if their anxiety is severe.
Complete a Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screening.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that some people develop after seeing or living through a dangerous event. When in danger, it's natural to feel afraid. This fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. The "fight-or-flight" response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. But in PTSD, this reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they're no longer in danger.
PTSD can cause many symptoms, which can be grouped into three categories:
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Re-experiencing Symptoms:
- Flashbacks
- Bad Dreams
- Frightening Thoughts
Re-experiencing symptoms can start from a person's own thoughts and feelings, and may cause problems in a person's everyday routine. Words, objects or situations that are reminders of the event also can trigger re-experiencing.
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Avoidance Symptoms:
- Avoiding Places, Events or Objects that are Reminders of the Experience
- Feeling Emotionally Numb
- Feeling Strong Guilt, Depression or Worry
- Losing Interest in Activities that were Once Enjoyable
- Having Trouble Remembering the Dangerous Event
Things that remind a person of the traumatic event can trigger avoidance symptoms, which may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example, after a bad car accident, a person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a car.
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Hyperarousal Symptoms:
- Easily Startled
- Feeling Tense or "On Edge"
- Difficulty Sleeping, and/or Having Angry Outbursts
Hyperarousal symptoms are usually constant, instead of being triggered by things that remind one of the traumatic event. They can cause a person to feel stressed and angry, and may make it hard to perform daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating or concentrating.
It's natural to have some of these symptoms following a dangerous event. Sometimes people have serious symptoms that go away after a few weeks. This is called acute stress disorder, or ASD. When the symptoms last more than a few weeks and become an ongoing problem, they might be PTSD. Some people with PTSD don't show any symptoms for weeks or months.
Complete a PTSD Screening.
Are you in crisis? Call our 24-hour crisis hotline at (708) 361-TALK (8255).
For more information about the Behavioral Health Services at Palos Community Hospital, call (708) 460-2721.
