Alcohol abuse or dependency and treatment using anti-craving medication.

Attention and Concentration Problems present with or without hyperactivity in childhood include symptoms of inattention, distractibility, poor concentration, difficulty with organization, and forgetfulness. Other symptoms may include impulsivity, impatience, restlessness, and difficulty with task completion. The treatments most commonly include the use of stimulants, or Strattera, as well as a focus on acquiring appropriate skills and behaviors.

Bipolar disorder, a manic-depressive illness, occurs classically with euphoric, manic symptoms alternating with depressive symptoms. Lethargy, weight gain, and excessive sleep are symptoms of a more typical variant, which also exhibits high levels of irritability and depression. The primary treatments include the use of mood-stabilizing agents and education, which includes family.

Cognitive Difficulties Medical conditions or intoxication can cause delirium, which is a temporary disturbance. Dementias include Alzheimer’s, multifarct, and frontal temporal types. Two types of medications may slow the progression: one group is acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and the other is Namenda. Patients with dementia may develop secondary behavioral problems such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis, which may respond to medication management. Family education regarding the illness and expectations is important. Head injuries can cause problems with memory, attention, and concentration, which may lead to medication management.

Developmental disabilities begin in childhood with developmental delays and cognitive impairment and may include behavioral issues. These disabilities include Down’s syndrome, Asperger’s syndrome, and autism. Medication management is targeted at the mitigation of symptoms.

Depressive disorder may occur singly, episodically, or seasonally and can be triggered by conflicts or secondary medical problems. The best results are usually obtained with anti-depressants, education, and psychosocial treatments, including cognitive therapy.

Psychosis is a general name for being out of touch with reality, having delusions and hallucinations, as well as apathy and social withdrawal. Schizophrenia is the most common disorder. Schizoaffective disorder appears to be a blend of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other problems that include psychotic thinking are delusional disorders and some depression. Medication, psychotherapy, and family education are used with a rehabilitative focus.

Relationship issues occur in the family settings of couples, siblings, or parent-child relationships.

Weight Gain Secondary to Psychotropic Medications Agents that have been associated with weight gain have typically been in use for many years. There are excellent alternatives available that are not associated with weight gain.

Work Concerns may be relational with superiors, peers, or subordinates. These may be related to managerial styles or to personal issues. Family business relationships pose a special set of challenges related to boundaries and expectations. Other areas of concern include job seeking, promotion, retirement, education, training, and security.

Sexual concerns can be biologically, psychologically, or relationally based. Typically, a clear, explicit discussion of the problem is the start of the problem-solving process. Other problems include, but are not limited to, anxiety and low self-esteem, as they may interfere with interest, initiation, arousal, or satisfaction. Problems of abuse, incest, and a history of sexual assaults, as well as addictive behaviors, commonly cause blocks to intimacy and sexual satisfaction.