DR. LONNIE T. SCARBOROUGH, MD
Psychiatry and Addictive Disease
Savannah
315 Commercial Drive
Suite C3
Savannah, Georgia 31406
912.344.8523
Welcome:
I've been a psychiatrist for over 30 years and have worked in many areas within the field. I trained during the era when psychiatrists still saw people in psychotherapy and treated them with medications when necessary.
Gradually, the psychiatrist's role has shifted away from one as a psychotherapist toward one as a specialist in biological interventions, usually medications. Certainly not every patient asking for help from mental health professionals needs medication, but most patients who need medication or who can benefit from medication can also benefit from focused psychotherapy. I still have this perspective and utilize it as
much as possible.
My Philosophy:
As a physician, a psychiatrist is in a unique position to be thoroughly familiar with the connection between mind and body. As a mature clinician I have gradually assimilated a seamless model, which integrates mind, spirit and body.
When the mind is worn down by anxiety or depression, it becomes more easily stressed, more desperate, and more rigid. The ability to think clearly and creatively is also diminished. Fatigue and excitatory states take their toll on the body and productivity. Lack of sleep, poor nutrition,
lack of exercise and strained interpersonal relationships further add to the psychological stress. To the extent the person experiences these things as uncontrollable, there are closely associated feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. The well-managed use of medication can reverse many of these detrimental conditions and help a person engage in a restorative therapeutic process.
Medication Management:
Finding the correct medication at the correct dosage for a particular person is both an art and science. Careful attention to the person's experience while taking medication is essential not only for a good outcome but also for long-term management of the patient's condition and their attitude toward asking for help. Empathy, education, and support are extremely helpful while encouraging the person to continue until the best response can be achieved.
Find the Help You Need:
People usually turn to help only when they reach the limits of their own capacities. These are critical moments in our lives. They are universal part of human development and times when people must reach out to each other for support and guidance. I feel deeply that it is a privilege to be in a position where I can be helpful in this way. Please contact me today for more information in regards to your specific needs!