Mental Health and Addiction Treatment in Lexington, KY

Bipolar disorder causes significant shifts in a person’s moods and behaviors. This disorder was formerly known as “manic-depressive disorder” due to the manic and depressive cycles that people experience. However, like most mental health disorders, symptoms of bipolar disorder vary from one person to another. Some people have intense manic cycles with increased energy and restlessness. Still, others shift from depressive moods to relatively stable moods. Regardless of the type, however, many people with bipolar disorder abuse drugs or alcohol to regulate their cycles.

Traumatic experiences can be the root cause of many mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression. However, sometimes, untreated trauma leads to a unique disorder known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD causes symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, nightmares, and dissociation. At Lexington Addiction Center, we offer treatment specifically for trauma-related disorders like PTSD like EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and brainspotting. In addition, we use traditional therapies like CBT and exposure therapy.

Anxiety disorders can limit a person’s ability to live a normal life or achieve their goals. Some people have symptoms when faced with specific situations, like phobia-related anxiety or social anxiety. However, other people have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which impacts them throughout daily life. Many people with anxiety disorders use avoidance behaviors to cope with their symptoms. These avoidance behaviors can include substance abuse as a way of “numbing” themselves from feeling anxious.

Depressive disorders occur on a spectrum from mild to severe. Some people have a persistently low mood known as dysthymia. Others, however, struggle to get out of bed, eat, or complete any daily living activities due to depression. In addition, some people only have depressive symptoms during seasonal changes known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Untreated depression can lead to suicidal thoughts, ideations, and behaviors, which can cause severe injuries or death.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often considered a type of anxiety disorder due to several similarities in symptoms and avoidance behaviors to cope. However, OCD symptoms are caused by irrational internal beliefs or unwanted and intrusive thoughts. Two features characterize this disorder: compulsions and obsessions. A person with OCD will often complete ritualistic or nonsensical behaviors (compulsions) in an attempt to rid themselves of distressing thoughts (obsessions).