Impulse Control Disorder Treatment Center in Pittsburgh

Learn more about impulse control at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital near Pittsburgh, PA

When a youth possesses symptoms synonymous with an impulse control disorder, such as pyromania or kleptomania, it is likely that that young person will experience a number of behavioral and emotional disturbances that can negatively impact his or her life. Impulse control disorders, as it infers in the name, pertain to a group of conditions in which individuals have a great deal of difficulty resisting urges and impulses for engaging in behaviors that can render harmful consequences. At Southwood Psychiatric Hospital, we understand the danger that is associated with the presence of these disorders and have implemented unique programming options that are aimed to better the lives of youth who suffer from these conditions. Our goal is to help these young people find relief from their symptoms and instill skills that can serve well for a lifetime and prevent any harm from being caused to themselves, others, or property.

Why consider treatment for impulse control at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital near Pittsburgh, PA

The symptoms of an impulse control disorder can render several consequences for a youth if treatment is not implemented as soon as they become apparent. Psychical injury, interaction with the legal system, poor functioning in academic settings, behavioral concerns at home, and strain within relationships with loved ones and peers are likely outcomes for those grappling with these types of conditions. Additionally, youth who do not receive care to alleviate the symptoms of an impulse control disorder have an increased risk for eventually using and abusing substances. This risk put individuals with impulse control concerns in danger of developing an addiction and possibly dependence on drugs and/or alcohol. Seeking treatment is a beneficial way of prevent such detriments. For this reason, it is imperative that a youth’s caregivers or parents act as their child’s advocate and consider treatment when the presence of an impulse control disorder is obvious.

Types of impulse control treatment offered at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital near Pittsburgh, PA

As a foremost provider of child and adolescent mental healthcare, Southwood Psychiatric Hospital is devoted to providing the most effective mental health treatment, education, and assisted living services to youth who are battling emotional, behavioral, and cognitive concerns that are unique to young people. We believe that it is necessary to address and care for every need for each of our patients so that the most favorable treatment outcomes are the result. We believe all people are capable of change and possess the capacity to learn new skills and abilities that can serve well for a lifetime. Based on this belief, we facilitate a therapeutic environment that is conducive to healing and change so that each youth entrusted into our care has the opportunity to gain insight about his or her own life and develop positive skills for healthy functioning.

The methods for care utilized at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital include cognitive-behavioral approaches that implement crisis and reality theories. We believe that these approaches, coupled with a structured setting, produce lasting healing and promote interpersonal growth. Cornerstone to the care supplied by Southwood Psychiatric Hospital is individualized treatment planning within a therapeutic milieu that incorporates these approaches within several therapeutic methods. We also encourage each patient’s family to be involved in the therapeutic process so that every child and adolescent reaps the benefits of having ample support while bettering him or herself.

The following treatment methods are those that are featured within the programming offered at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital, methods that are proven to improve the lives of the population we serve:

Medication management: When symptoms of a mental health condition, such as an impulse control disorder, or other co-occurring condition require the use of pharmaceutical intervention in order to alleviate said symptoms, the use of medication may be incorporated into a youth’s treatment plan. The need for medication is assessed by a psychiatrist who can then prescribe, monitor, and adjust medication(s) if it is deemed necessary or a youth’s care. Additionally medical personnel, such as nurse practitioners and nurses, assist in the supervision of medication management so that the most effective dosage of a given medication produces the most favorable results. These professionals have contact with patients on a daily basis.

Individual therapy: Held every other day on the child and adolescent inpatient units, individual therapy sessions are afforded to patients so that one-on-one time with a mental health professional can be had in order to help each youth process emotions and monitor treatment goals while in our care. This is a time in which a young person can talk about his or her successes and explore areas for improvement.

Family therapy: The involvement of each patient’s family is integral to the treatment at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital. We facilitate family therapy sessions at least one to two times over the course of a youth’s treatment. During family sessions, youth, caregivers, and other loved ones can work through familial conflicts, improve communication, and learn how to work as a team in ensuring lasting recovery from mental health concerns, such as those can come with the presence of an impulse control disorder. Additionally, we put forth every effort to make sure each young person in our care is able to have contact with his or her family at least once a day.

Group therapy: A myriad of groups are part of the treatment feature in our inpatient programming. Groups allow patients to practice new skills that have been learned, receive additional support from our staff as well as peers, and learn new methods for managing emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. Groups are held four times a day and are led by Master’s level clinicians, nurses, and other experienced professionals. Topics covered within these groups include the following and are based on the cognitive-behavioral therapeutic approach:

• Teamwork and team building skills
• The importance of and how to follow directions
• Recreation groups
• Anger management
• Stress management techniques
• Social skill development
• Effective methods for coping
• Diagnosis education
• Medication education

Experiential therapy: In order to encourage creative expression and stress the benefits of physical activity, Southwood Psychiatric Hospital incorporates numerous experiential therapies into its inpatient programming. The following are examples of the experiential therapies patients are able to participate in during the course of treatment:

• Art
• Music
• Gym
• Opportunities for recreation outside
• Yoga

Continuing care and levels of treatment for impulse control

While the programming offered within Southwood Psychiatric Hospital is focused on patients being able to achieve their treatment goals, we remain dedicated to helping those who come to our hospital for care in succeeding once they have completed their treatment. From the moment a youth is admitted into one of our programs, our staff begins formulating aftercare recommendations that will meet the child or adolescent’s needs. Inpatient treatment, by nature, is designed to stabilize a youth so that the therapeutic process can continue at a lower level of care. Therefore, we conduct an ongoing assessment of needs in order to ensure that referrals to another treatment provider will help a patient continue his or her success long after leaving Southwood Psychiatric Hospital.

Our staff of compassionate and caring professionals will work in collaboration with each youth and his or her family to establish how the youth will retain skills learned and which services in the community will refine and build upon those skills.

Whatever your child or adolescent’s mental health needs may be, let Southwood Psychiatric Hospital be your treatment provider of choice when trying to help your child achieve the life that he or she deserves.