Food addiction is a difficult battle that many people do not understand. It is like any other addiction, as it tests a person each day and it is a constant struggle to avoid temptation. Many people that suffer from food addiction do not know why they want to eat when they do or why they eat what they do. Many food addicts consume food when they encounter stress, anger, sadness, or other emotions. Dr. Lisa Saponaro, PhD. provides therapy for weight loss in Plantation, Florida, as well as, food addiction. Dr. Saponaro understands weight loss frustration personally. She experienced her own weight loss battle. Her personal experience with weight loss combined with her professional training as a licensed psychologist, enables her to meet people where they are in their food addiction and help them understand why they behave and feel the way they do. She then teaches them how to change negative emotions, thoughts, and behavior for growth and personal goal achievement.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines a depressed person as experiencing feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness. The exact numbers of people who have severe Depression Counselling Plantation are not known but estimates indicate that about 12 million adults in the US have depression. Depression cuts across all barriers and affects all races, cultures and social classes. The encouraging news is that it may be successfully treated.

Depression Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Depression is not a personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away, but with the support of a health care professional, family and friends along with variety of depression treatment options, such as prescription medication and psychotherapy, depression sufferers can begin to cope and understand their disorder. Only a professional health care provider can determine the appropriate option to treat each individual case of depression.

Just yesterday the news of of the tragic loss of a treasured Hollywood star, Robin Williams, hit the headlines. Sadly, it appears that the 63 year old comedian and actor took his own life. Robin Williams has been open about his diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, not only as a source of pain, but also as a source of inspiration. He has been reported to have used his depressive and manic episodes as catalysts for his creative genius Personality Testing Plantation.

Too often our headlines are littered with the news that a beloved, respected and well known celebrity has committed suicide, often leaving a wake of disbelief, grief and wondering of what more could have been done. But what about what is left off of the headlines? The Center for Disease Control reports that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in individuals 10 years of age and older. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness it is the 3rd leading cause of death among youth aged 15-24.

Over 90 percent of people who commit suicide have been diagnosed with mental illness commonly including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders and eating disorders. Substance abuse and addiction are also associated with an increased risk of suicide. While mental illness may be a risk factor, by no means is it a death sentence. While there may be no cure for mental illness, every mental illness is treatable and can be managed into complete remission. With strong support, appropriate treatment and time Suicide is 100% preventable.

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobehavioral, developmental disorder that consists of attention problems and hyperactivity. ADHD is the most commonly studied and diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children. According to the National Institute of Mental Health two million have ADHD. This means that in a typical classroom at least one child has ADHD.

Child Warning Signs of ADHD

According to the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry the following may be some of the signs a child will display if he or she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:

• Has trouble paying attention
• Has trouble sleeping
• Easily distracted
• Has trouble finishing assignments at home and at school
• Has trouble listening
• Has trouble following multiple adult requests
• Is squirmy or fidgets a lot
• Cannot sit still, jumps out of seat to run or climb
• Seems “on the go” or “busy” all the time
• Talks a lot and interrupts others
• Has trouble playing quietly

People that are seeking weight loss are faced with a million gimmicks, gadgets, and fad diets each day. This is no surprise in a society where the majority of adults are overweight or obese. The food and diet industry encourage weight problems and in turn become “fat” with profit the more we grow fat as a nation. The concern with some weight loss techniques is the question of their safety and effectiveness. To lose weight in a healthy, safe, and effective manner people should consider healthy therapeutic weight loss. Weight loss therapy does not just provide support and encouragement towards weight loss goals, it also helps an individual to deal societal pressures and messages that sabotage weight loss goals.

A study that was done by the Anxiety Disorder Resource Center found that approximately one-third of American adults have at least one anxiety or panic attack in their lifetimes. This startling data means that an anxiety disorder is the most common emotional disorder and is more common than alcohol abuse or depression. Anxiety is the unpleasant feeling of uneasiness, apprehension, fear or worry that the body naturally feels as a reaction to stress. When anxiety becomes excessive, it is perceived as uncontrollable or unavoidable by the client and interferes with functioning, this level of anxiety may be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. The term “anxiety disorders” encompasses several clinical conditions.

By seeking diagnosis from a professional anxiety disorder therapist a client can begin to understand and treat their disorder. Evidence-based techniques are utilized to teach relaxation and decrease the anxious symptoms. Psychological Testing is an evaluation that may be useful to clarify or provide additional information related to diagnoses. Symptoms of anxiety disorders often occur for no apparent reason and are persistent. The continuing anxiety or panic is often unrelated to any actual substantial cause. An anxiety disorder may coexist with other anxiety disorders, depression, other medical illnesses, or other conditions such as alcoholism or drug abuse. Anxiety Therapy may be highly effective for several anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder, PTSD and social phobia. Anxiety therapy can include anxiety management training, which may include techniques such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises. Therapy can help clients to achieve a higher self-esteem, learn to manage stress more effectively, eliminate problem behaviors and learn more about their triggers in order to gain insight into root causes, leading to improved personal mental health and well being.

Food addiction is a difficult battle that many people do not understand. It is like any other addiction, as it tests a person each day and it is a constant struggle to avoid temptation. Many people that suffer from food addiction do not know why they want to eat when they do or why they eat what they do. Many food addicts consume food when they encounter stress, anger, sadness, or other emotions. Dr. Lisa Saponaro, PhD. provides therapy for weight loss in Plantation, Florida, as well as, food addiction. Dr. Saponaro understands weight loss frustration personally. She experienced her own weight loss battle. Her personal experience with weight loss combined with her professional training as a licensed psychologist, enables her to meet people where they are in their food addiction and help them understand why they behave and feel the way they do. She then teaches them how to change negative emotions, thoughts, and behavior for growth and personal goal achievement.

Adolescence is a time when a young person begins to transition from childhood to adulthood. They experience behavioral, biological, social and psychological changes during “puberty.” The body creates a surge of hormone production creating physical changes and emotional changes that can lead to conflict. Group Therapy for adolescents can offer face-to-face interaction with other adolescents who talk with a therapist about issues or troubles. Group therapy offers instant feedback, with each person in the group expressing their own feelings, providing open social interaction. Within group therapy, any thoughts or feelings expressed/discussed are not mentioned outside of group sessions. This is part of the establishment of trust built through talking about personal thoughts, through honesty and commitment to the treatment.

The transition from childhood to adulthood is a time that can create a stir of emotions and conflict within a family. Sometimes those who know us the best can hurt us the most. This change puberty/adolescence) can cause families to find themselves on the battlefield of conflict every day. Troubled teens experiencing depression and bewildered parents both find themselves lost and hurting and in dire need of help. Adolescent therapy can help both parents and teens during this part of life. Teenagers are experiencing peer pressure, self-esteem issues, sexuality, bodily changes, and feelings of emotion that they do not understand at times. Parents feel their teens pushing away, growing up too fast or feel a drift and loss of connection. When families lose their way and find that they are dealing with connection barriers adolescent therapy can help.

Children, adolescents, and adults can greatly benefit from therapy. Therapy can help a person to discover underlying factors that cause them to feel or behave in a specific way. Therapy can also help a person to change negative thoughts, feelings, and behavior for positive ones. Child Therapist Broward County can help a young person who is dealing with divorce, a new sibling, a move, anxiety, anger, fear, self-esteem, eating disorders, or other life changes or concerns. Dr. Lisa Saponaro, PhD is a licensed Plantation child psychologist that provides individual and group therapy for children and adolescents. She provides a nurturing and therapeutic environment that provides a comfortable and safe place to discuss thoughts and feelings for positive change and improved mental health.