CompleteLife Psychiatric Care
Caroline Carney Doebbeling, MD, board-certified in psychiatry, internal medicine and psychosomatic medicine, has a keen understanding of the mind-body connection. Dr. Doebbeling evaluates both physical and mental contributions to psychological distress and combines supportive psychotherapy with medication management for mental health symptoms.
What happens during a psychiatric evaluation or counseling session?
What is mental health?
Mental health refers to a person’s overall psychological and emotional condition. Good mental health as described by the National Cancer Institute is "a state of well-being in which a person is able to cope with everyday events, think clearly, be responsible, meet challenges, and have good relationships with others."
However, it is normal for patients with cancer to experience emotional responses which may or may not have signs and symptoms of a specific mental disorder. Cancer diagnosis, treatment, recurrence or side effects can all trigger psychological and social distress of varying levels, ranging from adjustment disorders to major mental disorders such as major depressive disorder.
Common emotional responses and mental health disorders in cancer are defined below:
Depression is marked by ongoing feelings of sadness, despair, loss of energy, and difficulty dealing with normal daily life. Other symptoms of depression include feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, loss of pleasure in activities, changes in eating or sleeping habits, and thoughts of death or suicide. Depression can affect anyone and can be successfully treated. Depression affects 15-25% of cancer patients.
Anxiety describes feelings of fear, dread, and uneasiness that may occur as a reaction to stress. A person with anxiety may sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heart beat. Extreme anxiety that occurs over time may be a sign of a anxiety disorder.
Adjustment disorders include behaviors or moods more extreme than expected in reaction to the cancer experience. The behaviors or moods can result in significant problems in functioning with family, friends and at work.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress, including having cancer. Symptoms interfere with day-to-day living and include reliving the event in nightmares or flashbacks; avoiding people, places and things connected to the event; feeling alone and losing interest in daily activities; and having trouble concentrating or sleeping.
Some warning signs of mental illness as defined by the American Psychiatric Association include:
- marked personalisty change
- inability to cope with problems and daily activities
- strange ideas or delusions
- excessive anxiety
- prolonged feelings of sadness
- marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- thinking or talking about suicide
- extreme highs and lows
- abuse of alcohol or drugs
- excessive anger, hostility
- violent behavior
- irrational fears
Current state of the art, comprehensive treatment for mental illness is very effective and may include psychotherapy - to discuss troubling problems and feelings - and medication.
For more information, see the American Cancer Society's Web page on "Anxiety, Fear and Depression."
What happens during a psychiatric evaluation or counseling session?
Dr. Doebbeling's initial evaluation includes review of the patient’s medical history, mental health history, family history, and current medications. Dr. Doebbeling will communicate her recommendations to referring providers and will follow up with patients started on medications.
A new patient visiting Dr. Doebbeling will be seen for an initial 60 minute session. Follow-up sessions for medication management are 20 minutes in length, but may be longer depending on patient needs.
Dr. Doebbeling's psychiatric care is often complementary to the psychological counseling provided by Dr. Johns. Dr. Doebbeling will work hand-in-hand with the other CompleteLife providers to ensure your optimal supportive care.
Tell me about Dr. Doebbeling.
Caroline Carney Doebbeling, MD is a medical physician specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders. Dr. Doebbeling is among a small group of physicians in the United States who are board-certified in psychiatry, internal medicine as well as psychosomatic medicine.
As a psychiatrist Dr. Doebbeling is uniquely qualied to assess both physical and mental contributions to symptoms of psychological distress. Because psychiatrists are medical doctors, Dr. Doebbeling can also determine whether there is a need for medication to help restore imbalances in body chemistry that often accompany mental disorders.
How do I make an appointment?
IU Simon Cancer Center patients experiencing any of the above emotional responses or symptoms of mental disorder should call Ashley Shive at (317) 278-6663 to make an appointment with Dr. Doebbeling.