Adult Psychiatry

A female patient consulting with a psychiatrist in an office.

Learn how to get a consultation with UTSW's psychiatry team.

The Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center has provided high-quality mental health and substance abuse services for adults since 1943.

As part of one of the largest psychiatry programs in the country, our experienced psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and other care providers perform thorough assessments and offer the latest treatments for people who need inpatient and outpatient care.

Compassionate Mental Health Care for Adults

Behavioral health disorders affect about one in five American adults, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Although many of these disorders are common and can be serious, they are treatable – and recovery is possible.

Behavioral health disorders include mental health and substance use disorders:

Mental health disorders cause changes in a person’s mood, thinking, or behavior. They affect how well people function in relating to others and making decisions in work, school, or home life. Mental health disorders can occur once, return intermittently, or continue over time.
Substance use disorders develop when continued alcohol or drug use significantly impairs a person’s ability to function well at work, school, or home. These disorders can be mild, moderate, or severe and can cause health problems or disability.

Our skilled behavioral health professionals, including board-certified psychiatrists, offer safe, effective treatment for adults who have mental health and substance use disorders. People come to UT Southwestern for many reasons:

Treatment based on the latest research: Our physician researchers participate in studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), staying at the forefront of behavioral health care.
Expert care for all types of behavioral health disorders: Our teams treat thousands of patients each year. This high volume enhances our knowledge and experience in providing excellent care for our patients.
Access to the latest treatments: By participating in clinical trials, our physicians can offer patients access to advanced treatments that aren’t widely available.
Integrated care: Our behavioral health team approaches mental health treatment from a biopsychosocial perspective, often working with the patient’s medical care team – such as oncologists and neurologists – to enhance well-being.

Consultations

In addition to providing psychiatric care at UT Southwestern, we are pleased to offer expert consultation to community mental health providers and their patients.

Patients seeking a consultation at the Multispecialty Psychiatry Clinic should have their current mental health provider send a referral. Once a referral has been received, call 214-645-8300 to schedule the consultation.

A Closer Look at Outpatient Therapy at UTSW

Reed Robinson, Ph.D., Clinical Director of the Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic, discusses the individual, goal-oriented talk therapy options available at UT Southwestern and how they can benefit patients.

Conditions We Treat

At UT Southwestern, our psychiatrists, psychologists, and other behavioral health professionals provide expert, compassionate care for a wide range of disorders:

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.

Treatment for Adults with Behavioral Health Disorders

Our physicians and researchers work together to translate our leading-edge research into evidence-based practices for patient care. Through these advancements, we offer effective treatment to help patients improve their overall functioning and quality of life.

At UT Southwestern, the Division of Psychiatry offers outpatient services for people who experience problems with work and relationships or who have symptoms such as depression or anxiety. Our therapeutic approaches include, but are not limited to:

Medications
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Esketamine therapy
Intensive outpatient therapy program
Mindfulness training or other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies
Psychotherapy (individual, group, or family)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

UT Southwestern’s Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program offers a structured therapeutic approach for individuals who don’t require round-the-clock inpatient treatment but need more intensive support than outpatient therapy.

For people who need more intensive behavioral health care, we offer inpatient care to stabilize symptoms, improve well-being, and restore functional abilities to help patients get back to their daily activities. Learn more about inpatient psychiatry at UT Southwestern.

Our neuropsychologists work with patients’ primary care physicians and other physicians at UT Southwestern to evaluate brain function in patients with neurological conditions or several mental illnesses. This testing can help diagnose or rule out cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions affecting the brain. Learn more about our neuropsychology program.

Our Neurocognitive and Geriatric Psychiatry Program provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of cognitive and age-related conditions. Our team includes experts in psychiatry, psychology, and neuropsychology, as well as the involvement of other subspecialty services when indicated.

We provide care for a broad range of conditions, such as disorders of mood, behavior, and thought processes resulting from Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, brain injury, or other neurocognitive disorders. We also specialize in the care of older adults who are experiencing mental health symptoms related to aging or memory.

Our specialists trained in child and adolescent psychiatry provide outpatient, day treatment, and inpatient care through our partnership with Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Learn more about the Children’s Health Psychiatry Program.

Support Services for Behavioral Health

Our behavioral health professionals are dedicated to caring for the whole patient – body, mind, and spirit. With a focus on quality of life, we help connect patients and their families with support groups and other resources that can be tailored to meet their specific needs. Find out more about supportive services available for psychiatry and psychology patients.