Welcome to FitMind Therapeutics, our new clinic dedicated to supporting your mental well-being. Our holistic approach focuses on treating the whole person, not just the illness. We are committed to helping individuals achieve a healthy and happy lifestyle. With a dedication to providing top-quality clinical services, we aim to uphold the highest standards of care for our patients.
At FitMind Therapeutics, we follow evidence-based treatment principles and regularly update our practices through ongoing education and research. Our goal is to minimize wait times and deliver exceptional service by adhering to strict scheduling protocols and ethical guidelines. We strive to earn your trust and build patient confidence by ensuring that every individual receives personalized care with utmost respect and compassion.
Depression is a common and serious mental disorder that negatively affects how a person feels, thinks, acts, and perceives the world around them. Depression does not discriminate against age, gender or nationality, it can affect anyone. A recent study of systematic review and meta-analysis published by Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews found global prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) among elderly to be 13.3% and increasing with age (Nasrin, et al., 2022). Other studies show that nearly 29% of adults have been diagnosed with depression at one point during their life span. Symptoms of depression can vary from mild to severe and can appear differently in each person. These can include:
If you are thinking about suicide, please get help by calling crisis support. There are many hotlines you can call or text. 1-800-273-8255
Florida Lifeline dial: 988
Nasrin, A. at el. (January, 2022). The global prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) among the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 132(1067-1073), ISSN 0149-7634,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.10.041
Anxiety is a normal response to stress and in small doses can help increase one’s attention, as to avoid danger for example. However, anxiety becomes unhealthy and detrimental when it is out of proportion or hinders the person’s ability to function normally. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders and involve excessive fear or anxiety affecting nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives according to American Psychiatric Association. Anxiety disorders can cause people to try to avoid situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. Job performance, schoolwork and personal relationships can be affected. Fortunately, anxiety disorders can improve using psychotherapeutic treatments with the goal of helping people lead functional and productive lives.
There are different flavors of mood disorders, where bipolar disorder tends to take the front seat. Bipolar disorders are mental health conditions defined by intermittent intense emotional states affecting one’s mood, energy, sleep and function lasting from few days to weeks. Mood changes can be described as elevated (manic/hypomanic) characterized by high energy, not needing much sleep, intense irritability or happiness; or depressed where an individual feels very sad, empty, hopeless, and unable to experience pleasure/joy. Bipolar disorder can affect one’s ability to function in society, maintain employment and disrupt family relationships. When treated, people with bipolar disorder can lead fully functional lives.
Bipolar disorder has familial components and can co-occur with other conditions such as anxiety, substance use disorders, and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Finally, the risk of suicide is significantly higher among people with bipolar I disorder compared to the general population.
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder which can present many symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and thought process, lack of motivation and paranoia. Ongoing genetic, behavioral and pharmaceutical research promises safer and more effective treatment options. Although schizophrenia does not have a cure, with treatment, most symptoms of schizophrenia will significantly improve, thus decreasing the likelihood of symptom exacerbation. Antipsychotic medication can alleviate psychotic symptoms and improve a person’s mood to where the individual is able to live and function. Psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or supportive
psychotherapy may reduce symptoms and enhance function. Other treatments are aimed at reducing stress, supporting employment and improving social skills.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event or series of traumatic events. The individual often experiences the event or events as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening. For example: abuse, natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, war/combat exposure, intimate partner violence, and medical illness. However, most individuals who experience traumas do not go on to develop PTSD.
Many people who are exposed to a traumatic event experience symptoms similar to those described above in the days following the event. For a person to be diagnosed with PTSD, however, symptoms must last for more than a month and must cause significant distress or problems in the individual’s daily functioning. Many individuals develop symptoms within three months of the trauma, but symptoms may appear later and often persist for months and sometimes years. PTSD often occurs with other related conditions, such as depression, substance use, memory problems and other physical and mental health problems.
It is important to note that not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and not everyone who develops PTSD requires psychiatric treatment. For some people, symptoms of PTSD subside or disappear over time. Others get better with the help of their support system (family, friends or clergy). But many people with PTSD need professional treatment to recover from psychological distress that can be intense and disabling. It is important to remember that trauma may lead to severe distress. That distress is not the individual’s fault, and PTSD is treatable. The earlier a person gets treatment, the better chance of recovery.
Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals use various effective and research-proven methods to help people recover from PTSD. Both talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medication provide effective evidence-based treatments for PTSD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by recurrent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) aimed at reducing distress or preventing a feared event. These obsessions and compulsions can significantly interfere with daily functioning and quality of life. Effective treatments include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and medication. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for effective management.
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. https://www.apa.org/topics/ocd