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The
University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center treats
more than 6,000 people annually for various forms of mental illness.
UTHCPC, along with The University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute,is
also a leading research institution and acts as a teaching facility
for psychiatrists, social workers, pharmacists, nurses, and other
health professionals. UTHCPC's teaching staff includes graduates
and former employees of leading medical schools such as Johns
Hopkins, Yale Medical School and The University of Texas Medical
School at Houston. The staff and students participate in research
studies ranging from schizophrenia to the effects of drugs on
mental illness. Additionally, UTHCPC is committed to educating
the community on the value of good mental health. The end result
is one of the finest psychiatric centers in the country.
UTHCPC faculty and staff are considered to be a leading resource
for information on the following topics:
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Children's Mental Illnesses
Stress Disorders
Mental Illness in the Elderly
Anxiety Disorders
Topics may include:
Stress Issues
When you just need a break . Minor stress enables you to face
difficult tasks; however, too much stress can leave you paralyzed
and unable to function. That's why people need to learn how to
minimize stress in their daily routines. The doctors from UTHCPC
will present a hands-on program that teaches people how to manage
the stresses of everyday life through various techniques including
deep breathing, relaxation exercises, yoga and musical activities.
Frightening flashbacks . Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
is one of the most frightening mental illnesses a person can
experience. UTHCPC specialists in PTSD explain the symptoms and
help patients identify ways to diminish or alleviate their PTSD
symptoms. Doctors suggest methods of treatment such as psychotherapy
and offer guidance to families as to where they can receive professional
help.
Family Mental Health Issues
When the honeymoon is over . Now that the whirlwind of the wedding
is over, the reality of "'til death do us part" sets
in, and living with another person can be a very stressful experience.
Doctors will approach the new problems partners face, ranging
from monetary issues to taking out the garbage. UTHCPC experts
offer newlyweds advice on how to fight fairly, settle differences
calmly and without blame and how to ease into a happy marriage.
Uprooting your family without ruining your
lives . You've just
landed the job that will make your career, but it involves moving
your family across the country. Psychiatrists from UTHCPC offer
families guidance on how to make a long-distance move less traumatic
for everyone involved. Speakers from UTHCPC discuss topics including
how to manage the stress of the move, living separately, establishing
new friendships and making children comfortable in the new environment.
Family violence and abuse . Living a life trapped in violence
and abuse is a terrible way to live, but many people in Harris
County live this way every day. Specialists from UTHCPC work
with families to break the cycle of violence. Doctors illustrate
the problems and dangers involved in family violence and offer
family members strategies to get professional help.
Child abuse . The sadness and anger in a child's eyes are just
the tip of the iceberg when it comes to child abuse. Experts
from UTHCPC instruct parents, teachers, family members and school
officials how to spot behaviors indicating possible child abuse
and deal with related issues. Doctors can offer suggestions about
ways parents and other caregivers may help a child overcome fears,
phobias, self-destructiveness and overly aggressive behaviors
that result from child abuse. They also can illustrate how to
handle the situation with the child, abuser and authorities.
Depression
The cure for the summertime blues . A bad day is a normal occurrence,
but when someone demonstrates feelings of sadness, apathy, hopelessness,
indecisiveness or thoughts of death or suicide over a prolonged
period of time, he or she may be clinically depressed. Doctors
from UTHCPC will explain the causes of depression including chemical
imbalances in the human brain. With 80 percent of all depression
being treatable, specialists offer advice about different ways,
such as behavioral therapy or medication, to treat depression.
Child/Adolescent Mental Health Issues
Mommy, there's a monster under my bed! . Certain fears, such
as monsters under the bed, are common in children, however when
they do not go away with time, and are constantly disrupting
family life, the fears may actually be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Doctors from UTHCPC teach parents about the symptoms including
panic attacks, clinging to a parent and even physical ailments,
such as headaches and nausea. Specialists in this field will
give parents guidance so they recognize when their children need
professional help.
The grip of childhood depression . Like adults, children can
become depressed. Often the symptoms are hard to recognize. Physicians
from UTHCPC explore the clinical depression symptoms children
may experience including mood changes, sleep apnea, problems
with appetite and self-esteem and changes in physical health.
Doctors also offer guidance to parents on when to seek professional
help and where to look.
Addressing teen suicide . Parents, teachers and counselors must
recognize the signs of a troubled teen before it's too late.
UTHCPC teen suicide specialists help parents recognize the signs
of a depressed teen such as reckless behavior, drug or alcohol
abuse, depression or hygiene neglect. Doctors also teach parents
how to take the situation seriously, become involved through
words of encouragement, support and hope, and show parents where
to get further help.
My child is out of control . Child conduct disorders are the
single largest group of psychiatric illnesses among young people.
Often beginning before puberty, the disorders and their symptoms
are frequently mistaken for juvenile delinquency or the turmoil
of growing up. UTHCPC physicians help parents identify the common
symptoms of conduct disorders including stealing, consistent
lying, cruelty or fighting. Doctors offer guidance on combating
the problem with a combination of medication and supportive psychological
therapies.
You just don't understand me! . At some point, every parent has
heard this phrase from his or her teen, and too often, the teen
is right. Doctors from UTHCPC examine the pressures teens face
in this computer age from drugs to premarital sex and suicide.
Additionally, doctors give parents tips on how to empathize with
their children's concerns and problems, while facing the situation
in a constructive manner.
You're punished! Now go to your room! . Many parents punish their
children for doing something wrong, but are they punishing the
child correctly? Experts at UTHCPC take parents, step by step,
through the motions of how to positively punish a child or teen.
Doctors teach parents how to punish through every day consequences
and without criticizing the child or endangering his/her self-esteem.
Attention-deficit disorder . Doctors explain the difficulties
in diagnosing ADD and discuss the symptoms children display including
excessive activity, impatience and inability to concentrate.
Specialists from UTHCPC illustrate how children are diagnosed
and share the treatments available.
When the dating game turns brutal . Your teenager comes home
from a date with a bruise. What do you do? Abusive teen relationships
are more common than most parents realize. Adolescents who are
abused are at increased risk for emotional disorders, suicide
attempts, drug and alcohol abuse and eating disorders. Specialists
show parents how to teach their child, through love and understanding,
to function in a healthy dating relationship.
General Mental Health Issues
Schizophrenia: The rest of the story . Schizophrenia is a disease
masked behind many myths and misunderstandings. Doctors at UTHCPC
discard the myths and teach families to help loved ones with
schizophrenia. Doctors explain how medication works, what symptoms
to look for in family members, and ways to handle the family
stress related to the disease by offering emotional support,
reassurance and planning for possible crises.
Ethnic differences in mental health . Throughout history, various
ethnic cultures have individually approached mental health from
a variety of perspectives. Doctors from UTHCPC delve into the
stigmas different cultures attach to mental health issues. Doctors
offer solutions to help break the cultural barriers and get the
mentally ill the help they need.
Scheduling A Speaker
To schedule a speaker, please email geralyn.g.konigsberg@uth.tmc.edu
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