UT Southwestern Medical Center is home to one of the premier centers in the world for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. The faculty at the Multispecialty Psychiatric Clinic offers an extensive range of top-quality mental health services in an outpatient setting. Our services are delivered in comfortable, private offices and are provided by caring board-certified psychiatrists and psychologists.
Who We Are
Our board-certified psychiatrists are respected by their peers as authorities on all types of mental health problems. We are dedicated to helping people who are experiencing problems with work or relationships, or with symptoms such as depression or anxiety.
We also provide services in aerospace psychiatry.
What We Treat
Among the disorders we specialize in diagnosing, treating, and providing follow-up care and long-term patient monitoring are:
Adjustment disorder
When faced with a stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce, people can have difficulty coping. Many symptoms of an adjustment disorder are similar to those of depression or anxiety, such as lack of interest, feelings of hopelessness, extreme sadness, or nervousness.
Anxiety, phobias, and panic disorders
Everyone worries from time to time, but when anxiety worsens over time and doesn’t go away, it can affect a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities. This group of disorders includes panic disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
ADHD describes a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interferes with a person’s functioning or development. Symptoms include easy distraction, inability to focus or listen, and difficulty following directions or completing tasks. Although ADHD can be diagnosed during a person’s teen or adult years, the condition typically begins in childhood.
Bipolar disorder
Formerly known as manic depression, bipolar disorder causes mood changes that are abnormally extreme. A period of elevated mood is called mania, in which a person feels uncharacteristically energetic or active. Signs of a manic episode include rapid speaking, easy distraction, and impulsive, high-risk behavior. A period of low mood is depression.
Depression
This common condition can cause feelings of hopelessness and extreme sadness for more than just a few days. Clinical depression can last for weeks or months, affecting a person’s ability to function at work, school, or home. Other symptoms include loss of interest in favorite activities, appetite changes, problems with sleep, fatigue, and thoughts of suicide.
Memory disorders
Occasional forgetfulness is normal, especially as people age. Memory loss that interferes with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities can be a sign of depression, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, or another type of dementia. It’s important to see a physician who specializes in geriatric psychiatry for a complete evaluation to rule out other possible causes of memory loss, such as another health condition or reaction to a medication. Learn more about the care we provide for memory disorders.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
OCD is an anxiety disorder in which uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) create feelings of discomfort and apprehension that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) in an effort to control the thoughts. Symptoms include excessive hand-washing, repetitive checking, counting, and arranging things in a particular way. Not all such habits reach the level of compulsion. But when the thoughts and behaviors interfere with a person’s daily activities, it could be OCD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Some people develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event, such as physical or sexual abuse, war, death of a loved one, or a serious accident. Symptoms of this disorder include intrusive memories such as flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of items related to the event, and an exaggerated startle response. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, but the condition can be diagnosed if symptoms continue for at least one month.
Schizophrenia
This serious, chronic illness affects a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, difficulty expressing emotions, and difficulty processing information. Although schizophrenia has no cure, its symptoms can be managed with treatment and life-management strategies.
