Welcome to
BehaviorQuest.com. Our endeavor is to
offer the most up to date information in the field of Clinical
Neuroscience, also known as Mental Health.
Wealth
of Information
If
you suspect that you or a loved one is struggling with a
behavioral disorder, you've come to the right
place. On
our Symptoms page we describe some of
the most common symptoms seen in individuals with the following
disorders:
 Attention
Deficit Disorder
One of the most common diagnostic labels and one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions. Often children and adults with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger's are diagnosed with ADHD. WE know what ADHD is and what it isn't.
Autistic
Spectrum Disorders
This category includes Asperger's, Autism and Pervasive Development Disorder not otherwise specified. A very confusing area and one of the most misdiagnosed of all categories. As mentioned above these children and teens are often diagnosed as ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and many others. We know how to evaluate and get it right and therefore the treatment right.
Bipolar
Disorder in Adults
Bipolar Disorder is a cruel and devastating disorder and also frequently misdiagnosed. Most with a true mood disorder will have their first episode as a depression. Misdiagnosing and placing a patient on an antidepressant can cause havoc and an increase in symptoms such as suicidality. Taking the time and getting a good family history can avoid these pitfalls.
Body Image
Disorders
Also know as Body Dysmorphic Disorder this little understood area affects more children and teens then is realized. This is a preoccupation with some aspect of the body such as the face, lips, hips, arms, legs etc. These folks will spend hours looking in the mirror and avoid going out so others do not see the perceived defect. Proper treatment can give these people their lives back.
Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder
A common, but also frequently misdiagnosed as especially as ADHD by the poorly trained. These children, teens and adults have the apposite of ADHD, they have Attention Surplus Disorder. They can't stop paying attention to something irrelevant, such as praying, counting, blinking, staring, and the list goes on. Proper treatment can be very effective for this condition, sad that it takes on the average 10 years for this to occur.
Pediatric
Bipolar Disorder
This hot topic has been in the news for some time. It is felt that it is both under diagnosed and over diagnosed. Knowing the difference is what sets aside real competence. We see children diagnosed with the common labels such as ADHD, OCD, PDD that actually have mood disorders. We also see those with the Bipolar Label that are in fact ADHD, OCD, etc. It's not easy to get it right but competent clinicians that take the time and actually talk to the child, teen and parents and having the best trained Child Psychiatrists we can move the family towards a more tranquil and even keeled family situation.
Our Resources page lists what we consider to be valuable books, articles,
websites and other resources for individuals who want to learn more
about behavioral disorders and Clinical Neuroscience, in general.
TELEPHONE CONSULTATION
We welcome both those with concerns about themselves or a family member as well as other therapists and clinicians in the area to call us with any questions they may have. If we don't know, we will find out as one of our sayings is, "The mark of a true professional is to know when you don't know."
NEW SERVICE
We are proud to now be able to provide our patients a type of genetic testing that will allow for better dose adjustment and to prevent adverse drug reactions. For further information just call our office and ask about genetic testing can help. This is especially true for older people that are often on a number of different medications and often the prescribing MD's are not talking to one another.
dbh
Neuroscience Seminars
Look for dbh Neuroscience Seminars,
an innovative group directed at educating professionals in the fields
of mental health and education, as well as parents and caregivers,
raising the awareness of the general public on issues such as Bipolar
Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, and
more.
May
2007
Just Released!!
"24: A Day in the Life of Bipolar Children
and Their Families"
 From
Papolos Productions, filmed live at theUniversity of the Pacific in
Stockton, CA at the dbh Neuroscience Seminars' Juvenile-Onset
Bipolar Disorder symposium. Delivered with the
compassion
and humor her audiences have come to expect, Janice Papolos (co-author
of the international bestseller, "The Bipolar Child," now in its 3rd
edition) paints a revealing picture of a day in the life of children
and adolescents suffering with bipolar disorder, and of those who love
them. DVD and CD format available for purchase here.
Featured
Articles
Article contributions from our staff members can be viewed on the Featured
Article page. This information is updated periodically, and all
previous
articles can still be accessed from the Archived Articles button link
found on the same page.
The current Featured Article is:
"The State
of the Field of Mental Health."
It is our
hope that this information will help our
visitors better understand the behavioral challenges they see in
themselves and/or their loved ones and take appropriate steps toward a
comprehensive treatment plan.
Iceberg Theme
You'll
notice that the theme of our site is based on an iceberg. The
iceberg illustrates a common problem in the diagnosis of behavioral
disorders in today's healthcare environment, where only the
20%
that is visible above the surface is diagnosed and
treated while
the remaining 80% goes undiagnosed and untreated.
Spectrum
Diagnosis & Treatment
Complicating
diagnosis and treatment is the fact that most individuals suffering
from a behavioral disorder are actually being
influenced by a
spectrum of multiple disorders that make each individual case unique.
Too often,
healthcare professionals with limited
education and experience identifying behavioral disorders
will diagnose and treat a patient for a single
disorder,
resulting in a less than ideal treatment plan and additional, sometimes
worse, behavioral issues. If you believe that you or
a loved
one is experiencing a behavioral disorder it is important that you seek
professional assistance from a healthcare
professional with the education and experience to
properly diagnose and treat the full spectrum of behavioral disorders.
Enjoy
As
you move through this site, keep in mind that the goal is to increase
your understanding of clinical neuroscience, while also turning you
into an advocate for change for others. We hope you find this site
valuable and that it helps improve your life or the life of someone you
love.
William Shryer, DCSW, LCSW
Clinical Director
Diablo Behavioral Healthcare
Danville, CA
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