Have you ever noticed that when under stress, you (or a friend or family member) exhibit extreme behavior, ranging from acting out to shutting down? That could be displayed in anxiety, anger, depression (low mood/low energy).
This may point towards a condition known as “behavioral maladaptiveness” or the inability to adapt to stress or change. It can impact folks of all ages. Maladaptive behavior’s severity can also range from minor to severe and professional help may be advised.
Good news is that such help is available here in Ruston at Lincoln Community Health Center at 1140 S. Vienna Street (as well as at Bienville Community Health Center at 3265 Military Road in Ringgold). Among their full range of professional medical service professionals at the centers is Monte Moore, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, board certified, who has been helping individuals young and old since 2019 through his work at LCHC.
A psychiatric nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who is trained to provide care to patients struggling with mental health problems.
The north Arkansas native received his undergraduate degree and two master’s degrees, all in English, and he taught English and Journalism before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “When I was finishing school, a recruiter suggested I interview with Trinity Community Health Centers,” he told the Journal. That led him to north Louisiana.
He explained that by way of interview with each patient, he ascertains his diagnosis for the most appropriate tools to treat the symptoms. Those could be medication, psycho-dynamic therapy, hypnosis or referral to other therapists.
This Advanced Practice Nurse stressed that problems of maladaptive behavior affect the full gamut of ages. “The most dominant issue, say 95%, is family childhood trauma. It starts at a young age and it could be going on ‘just down the street.’ I’ve treated kids as young as 2-1/2. Then like a snowball that rolls through life, it gets worse and worse.
“For this diagnosis, ‘talk therapy’ alone doesn’t work. And medications won’t stabilize the problem long term. The best long term results come through a combination of medication and therapy,” says Moore. “In an optimum scenario, a patient will learn to manage symptoms with a minimum, or no, medication. That’s my goal.”
“Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana Provides comprehensive medical, dental, and/or behavioral health care to all, regardless of ability to pay,” says CEO Deano Thornton.ou may contact Lincoln Community Health Center at 318-224-7190 to schedule an appointment. Or call Bienville Community Health Center at 318-894-2341.
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