Our Services
Addiction
Although some aspects of addiction are physical, much of the problem is psychological. The experts at Psychiatric Wellness Center can help patients with addiction in Bakersfield, California, to understand their illness and work through it together. To make an appointment for addiction treatment, patients should call the office at Psychiatric Wellness Center today.
What is addiction?
Addiction is a disorder that causes a patient to become dependent on a substance or activity. Most addictions involve drugs, such as cocaine or heroin. However, it’s also possible for patients to become addicted to sex, gambling, and other activities that may interfere with their lives.
Without treatment, addiction can pose many problems for patients. Some addictions are dangerous on their own because of the side effects they cause. Other addictions are illegal and/or cause financial problems for the patient. Many patients struggling with addiction will also experience difficulties in relationships with family and friends.
Is addiction really psychological?
Nearly every addiction has a psychological component. While some addictions, such as addictions to heroin, have a significant physical component as well, others are purely psychological. Regardless of whether a physical addiction exists, patients must address the psychological addiction before they can recover successfully.
What causes addiction?
Addiction can have different causes. However, some patients are more prone to developing addictions than others. Researchers believe that both environmental and genetic factors can make a person more likely to develop an addiction. Patients who have risk factors for this disorder should avoid drugs and activities known to cause addictions.
What are the symptoms of addiction?
Some of the symptoms of addiction include:
- Intense cravings for a substance or activity
- Needing more of a substance or activity to get the same effect
- Skipping social functions to engage in a certain behavior or take a drug
- Failed attempts to stop a certain drug or activity
- Withdrawal symptoms
How can the doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center help with addiction?
The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center can help with addiction in many ways. The first step to overcoming an addiction is recognizing that a problem exists. The doctors at this facility can help patients identify and accept their addictions so that they can begin recovering. Psychiatric Wellness Center also offers medications and psychotherapy to patients struggling with addiction. Over time, Psychiatric Wellness Center can help the patient eliminate the drug or behavior from their life, deal with cravings, and restore their health.
Oftentimes, an individual may be trying to self-medicate an underlying psychiatric disorder with substances. The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center can help by prescribing non-addictive medications that can treat the underlying disorder. The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center can also specifically prescribe medications to individuals with addiction and/or physical dependence to opioids, such as hydrocodone (Norco or Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet), heroin or fentanyl; alcohol, and benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) or lorazepam (Ativan). For opioids, (he) has experience in prescribing buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) and intramuscular naltrexone (Vivitrol). In order to start intramuscular naltrexone, an individual needs to be 7 days opioid free, which can be difficult for some to achieve. The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center can work with you to obtain those days of sobriety. For alcohol, the doctors here have experience in prescribing naltrexone orally or intramuscularly (Vivitrol), acamprosate (Campral) and disulfiram (Antabuse).
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are pervasive conditions that make it difficult for patients to focus on important tasks or even enjoy their lives. The professionals at Psychiatric Wellness Center are experienced in diagnosing and treating anxiety. Patients in Bakersfield, California, who think they may be suffering from anxiety should contact the office to make an appointment.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a condition that makes the patient feel worried and afraid. Sometimes anxiety is focused on a specific worry, but it may also appear as a general feeling of dread. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, but some people struggle with this issue on a regular basis. When anxiety interferes with a person’s life, they may have an anxiety disorder, and there are several kinds of these: social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
What causes anxiety disorders?
The exact cause of anxiety disorders isn’t clear. Patients are more likely to develop anxiety disorders if they’re female, divorced, and/or have a family history of mental disorders. Anxiety disorders are also more common among people who’ve been exposed to chronic stress and/or have limited economic resources.
What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?
The severity of anxiety disorders can vary considerably. Some of the most common symptoms of these disorders include:
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Constant, obsessive worry
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
- Panic attacks
Patients with social anxiety may also avoid social situations, and they may feel nauseous and scared when interacting with others.
How does Psychiatric Wellness Center diagnose anxiety?
The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center typically diagnose anxiety disorders based on the patient’s symptoms. Before confirming the diagnosis, they may perform a psychiatric assessment to rule out other issues. The final diagnosis of anxiety will be made based on the criteria contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
What treatments are available?
Patients with anxiety may need medication to control their symptoms. Some patients may take medicine every day to keep symptoms at bay, while others may take medication only when they experience severe anxiety. In addition to taking medication, patients may benefit from psychotherapy and counseling. Patients may also benefit from joining a support group for people with anxiety, as well as learning stress-management techniques.
Every patient is unique. After diagnosing a patient with an anxiety disorder, the doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center will develop a comprehensive treatment plan designed to meet the patient’s specific needs.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes patients to experience cyclical episodes of depression and mania. This disorder can disrupt the patient’s life considerably. Psychiatric Wellness Center offers diagnosis and treatment to patients with bipolar disorder in Bakersfield, California, and the surrounding area. Patients with the symptoms of this condition can make an appointment with an experienced physician by contacting Psychiatric Wellness Center.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental condition characterized by extreme mood swings. Patients with this disorder often experience periods of intense highs and lows. Bipolar disorder can be mild, or it can be debilitating. Either way, this condition usually requires professional treatment.
What causes bipolar disorder?
The exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known. However, researchers believe that this disorder occurs because of a combination of genetics and physical changes in the brain. Certain risk factors can raise a person’s chances of developing bipolar disorder, including:
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Having a relative with bipolar disorder
- Going through periods of high stress
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
The symptoms of bipolar disorder may vary and can range in severity. Most people with bipolar disorder experience alternating depression and mania. During periods of depression, patients may feel sad, tired, and empty. They may also have trouble with concentration, and they may experience sleep disturbances. During periods of mania, patients usually have unusually high energy. They may be talkative, impulsive, and easily distracted.
How does Psychiatric Wellness Center diagnose bipolar disorder?
When a patient comes in with the symptoms of bipolar disorder, the doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center will begin by performing a psychiatric assessment to learn about the patient’s symptoms and mental status. To confirm a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, the doctor may ask the patient to keep track of their moods for a specific period of time. The final diagnosis of bipolar disorder will be made based on the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
What treatments are available for patients with bipolar disorder?
Patients with bipolar disorder usually need ongoing professional treatment, but they can improve their condition over time. Some of the treatments available for patients with bipolar disorder include:
- Medication – Many patients with bipolar disorder need medication to control their symptoms.
- Counseling – Patients with bipolar disorder may benefit from counseling and psychotherapy.
- Substance abuse treatment – If patients with bipolar disorder also struggle with addiction, substance abuse treatment can be beneficial.
Depression
Depression is a serious disorder that can affect a patient’s life for many years if left untreated. At Psychiatric Wellness Center, patients have access to diagnosis and effective treatment options from experienced psychiatrists. Patients in Bakersfield, California, can make an appointment for depression treatment by contacting Psychiatric Wellness Center.
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a patient to feel sad and empty without cause. For most people, depression is more than just feeling sad for a short period of time. This disorder continues to cause problems despite the patient’s efforts to feel better, and it can have a significant impact on their life.
What causes depression?
Researchers don’t know the exact cause of depression. However, studies have shown that it may be connected to several different issues, including physical changes in the brain, changes in brain chemistry, hormonal imbalances, and genetics.
Depression is more common among women than men. Although it can develop at any age, this illness is more likely to appear in teens, as well as those in their 20s or 30s. Patients who have been through trauma, have a family history of depression, or have other mental disorders may also be at a higher risk of depression.
What are the symptoms of depression?
The symptoms of depression can vary and may change over time. However, some of the most common symptoms of this condition include:
- Pervasive feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Anxiety
- Changes in appetite
- Fatigue
- Angry outbursts and irritability
- Unexplained physical problems
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Trouble concentrating
How is depression diagnosed?
The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center diagnose depression based on the patient’s symptoms. After encountering a patient who seems depressed, the doctor will begin by asking questions about symptoms. The doctor will also conduct a psychiatric evaluation of the patient. Patients are diagnosed with depression if they meet the criteria described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
How do the doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center treat depression?
Psychotherapy & Counseling
Psychotherapy and counseling are effective therapeutic options for patients with a variety of problems, from bipolar disorder to depression. The experienced physicians at Psychiatric Wellness Center offer psychotherapy and counseling to patients in Bakersfield, California. Patients can make an appointment for this service by calling the office today.
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that aims to treat a mental illness or disorder psychologically, rather than with drugs or other medical means. Many different types of psychotherapy exist.
What types of therapy are available from Psychiatric Wellness Center?
Psychiatric Wellness Center offers several different types of psychotherapy to patients, including:
- Family therapy – Family therapy is therapy designed to resolve issues among parents and children.
- Grief therapy – Grief therapy is ideal for patients who have just experienced a significant loss.
- Couples therapy – Couples therapy is designed to resolve issues between people in an intimate relationship.
- Geriatric therapy – The purpose of geriatric therapy is to help patients deal with mental issues related to the aging process.
- Dialectical behavior therapy – This type of therapy was originally designed to treat patients with borderline personality disorder, but it can be effective in the treatment of other issues as well.
- Solution-focused therapy – The goal of solution-focused therapy is to help the patient construct and achieve solutions for the problems in their life.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy – Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to help patients change unwanted behaviors or patterns of thinking that impact their life in a negative way.
- EMDR Therapy – See explanation below.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is the most effective therapy to treat traumatic memories. It is not a traditional talk therapy. EMDR is a memory-based approach that focuses on releasing all the negative thoughts and feelings that are associated with trauma memories which are inappropriately stored in the brain. Working together, patient and therapist will create a list of trauma memories. These memories will be targeted during an EMDR session, and the brain will be stimulated to release the negative memory material. Once the trauma memories along with the associated negative sensory material is released (desensitized), the brain will start the healing process (reorganization). During reorganization, the trauma memory will be freed of all negative material. Consequently, the patient will be able to retrieve the memory as an event that occurred but without getting triggered by the now released negative feeling states.
Which type of therapy is best?
Every type of therapy available from Psychiatric Wellness Center serves a different purpose and offers different advantages to patients. The experienced physicians at this facility can help patients decide which kind of therapy will be most beneficial for them.
How quickly will patients see results?
Patients undergoing psychotherapy may begin noticing some results shortly after beginning treatment. However, because mental disorders are complex, long-term treatment is often required. Most patients will see more progress as they continue to attend therapy sessions.
How often should patients see the doctor?
Every patient is unique. While some patients may need to see their doctor weekly or even more often, others may be able to wait longer between appointments. As time goes on and the patient improves, less frequent appointments may be necessary. The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center can help patients determine an appropriate appointment schedule when they begin therapy.
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a serious condition that occurs after a trauma, such as a car accident. The experienced physicians at Psychiatric Wellness Center offer diagnosis and treatment to patients with the symptoms of PTSD in Bakersfield, California. Patients who think they may be suffering from PTSD should call the office to schedule an appointment.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a chronic mental health problem that usually occurs after the patient has been involved in a traumatic event. The severity of symptoms varies, ranging from mild symptoms that appear only occasionally to symptoms that interfere with the patient’s daily life.
What causes PTSD?
Many different types of traumatic events can cause PTSD. Some of the most common examples include:
- Time in the military, especially combat
- Car accidents
- Childhood abuse
- Sexual assault
- Threats of physical violence
- Physical assault
- Long-term emotional abuse
- Sustaining a serious injury
Some people are at a greater risk of developing PTSD than others. Some of the risk factors for PTSD include having other mental illnesses, lacking a support system, and having family members who have PTSD or other mental disorders.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
The symptoms of PTSD often begin within a month of the triggering event, but they can begin later as well. Some of the most common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Avoidance of situations that remind the patient of the traumatic event
- Intrusive, unwanted memories of the traumatic event
- Trouble sleeping
- Personality or behavioral changes
- Mood disturbances
- Negative thoughts about the world
- Low self-esteem
- Suicidal thoughts
Symptoms may be worse when the patient is stressed or reminded of the traumatic event.
How does Psychiatric Wellness Center diagnose PTSD?
The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center will begin the evaluation of each patient by performing a a psychological exam involving a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s mental status. They will diagnose the disorder based on the criteria contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
What treatments are available?
Most patients with PTSD will improve with proper treatment. Some of the treatment options available to patients with this disorder include:
- Medication – Certain prescription drugs, such as antidepressants or antianxiety medications, may help with the symptoms of PTSD.
- Psychotherapy – Certain types of psychotherapy may help people with PTSD. Cognitive therapy and exposure therapy are the most common therapies utilized.
When medications and therapy do not seem to be enough, Ketamine Infusion may be for you. Ketamine Infusion is a noninvasive procedure that stimulates the nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of PTSD and more. Learn more by visiting the Ketamine Infusion Website or give them a call today at 661-368-1292.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a long-term illness that will continue to impact an individual’s perceptions, emotions, and behavior throughout their life. The experienced physicians at Psychiatric Wellness Center offer accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for patients with this complicated mental illness. Patients in Bakersfield, California, can make an appointment by contacting Psychiatric Wellness Center.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that causes patients to perceive the world abnormally. This disorder is often lifelong and can be dangerous, both for the patient and those around them.
What types of therapy are available from Psychiatric Wellness Center?
Psychiatric Wellness Center offers several different types of psychotherapy to patients, including:
- Family therapy – Family therapy is therapy designed to resolve issues among parents and children.
- Grief therapy – Grief therapy is ideal for patients who have just experienced a significant loss.
- Couples therapy – Couples therapy is designed to resolve issues between people in an intimate relationship.
- Geriatric therapy – The purpose of geriatric therapy is to help patients deal with mental issues related to the aging process.
- Dialectical behavior therapy – This type of therapy was originally designed to treat patients with borderline personality disorder, but it can be effective in the treatment of other issues as well.
- Solution-focused therapy – The goal of solution-focused therapy is to help the patient construct and achieve solutions for the problems in their life.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy – Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to help patients change unwanted behaviors or patterns of thinking that impact their life in a negative way.
- EMDR Therapy – See explanation above.
What causes schizophrenia?
The exact cause of schizophrenia isn’t clear, but it may be a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and brain chemistry. Studies have shown that patients with schizophrenia have central nervous system and brain structure differences that may contribute to their disorder. Imbalances in certain brain chemicals, including glutamate and dopamine, may also play a role in the development of schizophrenia.
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
Some of the most common symptoms of schizophrenia include:
- False beliefs that aren’t based in reality (delusions)
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t real (hallucinations)
- Disorganized thinking and/or speech
- Abnormal movements, such as strange posture or excessive movement
- Poor hygiene
- Thoughts of suicide and/or suicide attempts
The symptoms may vary based on the age of the patient, the severity of the disorder, and other factors.
How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center may suspect schizophrenia based on a patient’s obvious symptoms and/or descriptions of the patient’s symptoms. However, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform a thorough psychiatric evaluation. If the patient meets the criteria described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, they will be diagnosed with schizophrenia.
What treatments are available from Psychiatric Wellness Center?
Most people with schizophrenia will need at least one medication to control their symptoms, and many patients will need multiple prescriptions. The doctors at Psychiatric Wellness Center will work closely with the patient to find a combination of medications that works effectively.
In addition to taking medication, patients with schizophrenia may also benefit from individual therapy, family therapy, social skills training, and vocational training. Patients experiencing severe symptoms because of schizophrenia may need to be hospitalized, either temporarily or permanently. Family members and caretakers of patients with this disorder should be vigilant and report any significant behavioral changes or symptoms they notice so that the patient can get the treatment they need.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
No two people experience major depressive disorder in the same way. Oftentimes, treatments that work for one person won’t work for another. The team at Psychiatric Wellness Center in Bakersfield, California, offer a variety of treatment options that include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is an evidence-based, noninvasive, drug-free treatment for depression. Call or schedule a consultation online today to find out if TMS can help with your depression.
What is TMS?
TMS is an evidence-based, FDA-cleared treatment for depression that uses targeted magnetic fields to improve communication between the different mood centers in your brain.
While the exact causes of depression are unknown, studies show that people with depression have different brain chemistry and activity than those without depression. Your brain creates neurotransmitters that carry information through your brain. With depression, your neurotransmitters are depleted, which disrupts that communication.
How does TMS work?
Treatment for depression focuses on increasing the number of neurotransmitters. Neurons — the brain cells that create neurotransmitters — are electrochemical cells. With TMS treatment, your neurons are stimulated into producing more neurotransmitters with electromagnetic pulses instead of chemically with antidepressant medications.
The team at Psychiatric Wellness Center uses NeuroStar® equipment to deliver TMS treatment. The device includes an integrated treatment coil to send targeted stimulation to specific mood centers in your brain. As your neural pathways become more active, the increased communication triggers other mood centers deeper within your brain, starting a chain reaction of improved neural activity.
Who is a good candidate for TMS?
If you have major depressive disorder and have been experiencing symptoms for a year or longer, you may benefit from TMS. TMS is often used when other treatments like medications and electroconvulsive therapy have not been effective or if the associated side effects have been intolerable.
What happens during a TMS session?
During your TMS sessions, you relax in a comfortable treatment chair. Your doctor places the NeuroStar device against your scalp on the front left side of your head. At your first treatment, your doctor gradually increases the electromagnetic pulse until they reach your motor threshold. Each patient has a different motor threshold and this allows the doctor to customize treatment specifically for your needs.
Then, during your 18-40-minute session, the NeuroStar device releases pulses of electromagnetic waves at varying intervals. You feel a tapping sensation during the treatment. Once your session is complete, you can return to your normal daily activities. For optimal effectiveness, it’s recommended to have daily treatment for five days a week during a four-to-six week period.
TMS treatments are noninvasive and painless. You don’t need any anesthesia and are awake during your sessions. Some patients report having a slight headache briefly after their initial treatment; however, the headaches dissipate throughout treatment and are preferable to many of the more severe side effects that some may experience with antidepressant medications.
If you’re living with depression and want to know if TMS is right for you, call or schedule a consultation online today.
Learn about NeuroStar by clicking here.
Medication Management & Psychopharmacology
Patients with mental illnesses and disorders often need medication. However, medication can cause unwanted side effects if used at improper dosages or in bad combinations. The experienced physicians at Psychiatric Wellness Center offer medication management and psychopharmacology services to patients throughout Bakersfield, California. To make an appointment, patients should call the office today.
What is medication management?
Medication is an important part of treatment for most patients with mental illness. Medication management is a service dedicated to the selection and dosing of medications. Proper medication management ensures that the patient is taking the right medications in the right amount. It also ensures that the patient’s medications don’t produce any dangerous interactions.
Why is medication management necessary?
Every patient is unique and will react to medication differently. Additionally, each medication prescribed poses a risk of certain side effects and complications, and they can also interact with each other, leading to potentially serious problems for the patient. Medication management reduces the patient’s risk of dealing with these issues.
Another important role of ongoing medication management involves ensuring that patients continue to take the medications they need. Patients with mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, need to continue taking their medication to manage symptoms and prevent setbacks. If patients skip the medication they need, they’re more likely to experience severe symptoms related to their disorder.
How often should patients on medication see the doctor?
Patients who take medication for a mental disorder should make an appointment with Psychiatric Wellness Center whenever they need to refill their prescription. Patients should also make an appointment to see the doctor if they begin experiencing worrisome side effects or symptoms related to their medication. Also, if patients feel that their current dosage isn’t as effective as it needs to be, they should contact Psychiatric Wellness Center for an appointment.
How can patients improve the effectiveness of their medication?
Patients can improve the effectiveness of the medications they take by taking only the recommended dosage. Patients should take their medications at the same time every day. They should also follow all of the doctor’s other treatment instructions, and they should attend all recommended therapy sessions at Psychiatric Wellness Center.
If patients feel that their medicine isn’t as effective as it should be, they should never try to adjust the dosage on their own. Taking too much or too little medication can be dangerous. Patients should always contact Psychiatric Wellness Center for guidance before making any changes.
Testimonials
What People Are Saying
“The receptionists are always helpful no matter how tired they are, and billing has been more than willing to answer and questions I have. Very nice place!”
“Great Doctors and caring staff! I highly recommend this company if you are in need of their services.”
“Very professional staff and always greeted with a smile every time I walk in. Dr Song always makes me feel at ease and comfortable to talk to. I highly recommend this establishment. “
