At The Summit Wellness Group in Atlanta, Georgia, we are dedicated to transforming lives through compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic mental health care. Our newly launched mental health-only programs, housed in our state-of-the-art, recently renovated facility in Midtown Atlanta, are designed to address a wide range of mental health conditions.
At the leading thought disorder treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, our goal is to meet our clients where they are, develop effective treatment plans, and provide long-term support.
Thought disorders, which can disrupt cognitive processes and perception, can profoundly impact an individual’s ability to function and maintain relationships.
Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offer structured, flexible, and personalized treatment plans to help clients manage symptoms, develop coping strategies, and achieve lasting recovery.
With a focus on treating the whole person—physically, mentally, and spiritually—The Summit Wellness Group provides a supportive environment for individuals navigating the complexities of thought disorders.
Types of Thought Disorders
Thought disorders, sometimes called disorders of thought process, affect an individual’s ability to think coherently, communicate effectively, or perceive reality accurately.
At The Summit Wellness Group, we treat a range of thought disorders, including:
- Schizophrenia: A chronic mental health condition characterized by distorted thinking, hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech or behavior.
- Schizoaffective Disorder: A condition combining symptoms of schizophrenia with mood disorders, such as depression or mania.
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Marked by eccentric behavior, unusual beliefs, and difficulties forming emotional connections, often accompanied by magical thinking or perceptual distortions.
- Delusional Disorder: Involves persistent false beliefs (delusions) that are not explained by cultural or religious contexts, often leading to social withdrawal or distress.
- Brief Psychotic Disorder: A short-term condition involving the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, often triggered by stress.
These disorders vary in severity and presentation, but all require specialized care to address their unique challenges. Our clinicians at The Summit Wellness Group are trained to identify and treat these conditions with precision and compassion.
Prevalence of Thought Disorders
Thought disorders are less common than mood or anxiety disorders, but still affect a significant portion of the population. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia affects approximately 0.25% to 0.64% of the U.S. population, with schizoaffective disorder having a similar prevalence.
Schizotypal personality disorder is estimated to occur in about 3% of the population, while delusional disorder and brief psychotic disorder are rarer, affecting less than 1% of the population.
These conditions often emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood, though they can appear at any age. At The Summit Wellness Group, we recognize the importance of early intervention, as timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with thought disorders.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of thought disorders can be debilitating, affecting cognition, communication, and daily functioning. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Disorganized Thinking: Difficulty organizing thoughts, leading to incoherent or tangential speech (“word salad” or frequent derailment of ideas).
- Hallucinations: Sensory experiences without external stimuli, such as hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t present.
- Delusions: Fixed, false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary, such as believing one is being persecuted or has special powers.
- Social Withdrawal is the avoidance of social interactions due to paranoia, fear, rejection, or difficulty connecting emotionally.
- Impaired Reality Testing: This involves challenges in distinguishing between what is real and what is not, often leading to confusion or distress.
- Eccentric Behavior or Beliefs: In schizotypal personality disorder, individuals may exhibit odd behaviors or beliefs in magical or supernatural phenomena.
These symptoms can vary in intensity and may be exacerbated by stress, trauma, or co-occurring conditions like substance use disorders. At The Summit Wellness Group, our comprehensive assessments help identify these symptoms and tailor treatment to each client’s needs.
Causes of Thought Disorders
Thought disorders arise from genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Understanding these causes is critical to designing effective treatment plans that address symptoms and underlying triggers.
- Genetic Factors: Research indicates a hereditary component in thought disorders, particularly schizophrenia. If a close family member has a thought disorder, an individual’s risk increases, with studies pointing to genetic variations, such as those on chromosome 6, as potential contributors. However, no single gene is responsible, and the interplay of multiple genetic factors is often at play.
- Biological Factors: Brain structure and function abnormalities are often observed in individuals with thought disorders. Dysregulation in areas of the brain responsible for emotion, decision-making, and perception can contribute to symptoms like delusions or disorganized speech. Neurotransmitter imbalances, particularly involving dopamine, are also implicated in conditions like schizophrenia.
- Environmental Factors: Early life experiences, such as childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, or chronic stress, can increase the likelihood of developing a thought disorder. Unstable family dynamics or exposure to significant stressors during critical development periods may exacerbate vulnerability, particularly in those with a genetic predisposition.
- Psychological and Social Factors: Chronic stress, social isolation, or significant life transitions can trigger or worsen symptoms in susceptible individuals. For some, substance use, particularly of drugs like cannabis or stimulants, may precipitate psychotic episodes, especially when co-occurring with other mental health conditions.
At The Summit Wellness Group, our treatment team conducts thorough assessments to understand each client’s unique history and contributing factors. This personalized approach ensures we address thought disorder symptoms and underlying causes, fostering holistic recovery.
Treatment at The Summit Wellness Group
Our approach to treating thought disorders combines evidence-based therapies, medication management, and holistic interventions within a supportive and structured environment.
The Summit Wellness Group offers two primary outpatient programs—Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)—designed to provide intensive care while allowing clients to maintain their daily responsibilities.
These programs are tailored to meet the needs of individuals with thought disorders, ensuring comprehensive support for symptom management and long-term recovery.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our PHP is an intensive program designed for individuals who require structured, comprehensive care but do not need a 24-hour inpatient hospitalization or residential treatment.
This program is ideal for clients experiencing significant symptoms of thought disorders, such as severe disorganized thinking or acute psychotic episodes, who need robust support to stabilize their condition.
The PHP at The Summit Wellness Group involves approximately 30 hours of weekly programming, typically Monday through Friday, allowing clients to return home each evening.
Key components of our PHP include:
- Medication Management: Our experienced clinicians work closely with clients to identify medications that stabilize mood and reduce psychotic symptoms, such as antipsychotics or mood stabilizers.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): We utilize CBT and cognitive behavioral social skills training (CBSST), which is adapted from evidence-based practices to address mental illnesses. This helps clients challenge distorted thinking, improve social interactions, and enhance problem-solving skills and overall well-being.
- Holistic Therapies: We integrate holistic approaches such as mindfulness, yoga, and adventure therapy to promote emotional regulation and stress reduction.
- Individual and Group Therapy: PHP clients participate in daily group therapy sessions and individual counseling to address personal challenges and develop tailored coping mechanisms.
- Transition Planning: As clients progress, we develop individualized discharge plans to ensure a seamless transition to less intensive care, such as our IOP or traditional outpatient therapy.
Our PHP provides a structured environment that supports mood stabilization, symptom management, and the development of practical skills, empowering clients to navigate their daily lives with greater confidence.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
The IOP at The Summit Wellness Group is a flexible yet intensive mental health treatment program ideal for clients transitioning from PHP or those requiring structured support without the time commitment of a full-day program. Our IOP involves a few hours of programming a few times each week, offered in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Key services include:
- Personalized Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Life Skills Training
- Holistic Services
- Insurance Accessibility
The flexibility of our IOP allows clients to maintain their daily routines while receiving intensive support, making it an effective step-down from PHP or a direct entry point for those with less severe symptoms.
Why Choose The Summit Wellness Group
The Summit Wellness Group stands out as a leader in thought disorder treatment in Atlanta, Georgia, due to our commitment to personalized, evidence-based care. Our luxurious facilities, experienced staff, and holistic approach create a supportive environment where clients feel valued and empowered.
We understand the challenges of living with a thought disorder and are dedicated to helping clients achieve stability, improve their quality of life, and build a foundation for lasting recovery.
If you or a loved one is seeking help, we offer no-cost, confidential assessments to determine the best level of care. At The Summit Wellness Group, we are here to guide you on your journey to wellness, every step of the way. Give us a call today at 770-692-4351. We can’t wait to meet you.