EXPERT
Dr. Ashok Bharucha, MD
Geriatric Psychiatrist
Dr. Ashok Bharucha is a geriatric psychiatrist practicing in South Abington Township and Bloomsburg, PA. Dr. Bharucha specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, particularly in older adults. Patients who visit geriatric psychiatrists typically look for help with problems such as memory loss, depression, difficulty coping with change, stress, dementia, anxiety and more. Older adults may also experience emotional distress after being diagnosed with a disease as well. Dr. Bharucha helps patients after a comprehensive diagnostic exam so the root of their problems can be treated.
36 years
Experience
Dr. Ashok Bharucha, MD
- South Abington Twp, PA
- Bucknell University
- Accepting new patients
No results found
What can grandmother take for anxiety?
The first step would be a medical evaluation to rule out medical causes of anxiety such as thyroid problems, amongst many others. The list of issues that can result in anxiety READ MORE
The first step would be a medical evaluation to rule out medical causes of anxiety such as thyroid problems, amongst many others. The list of issues that can result in anxiety is very long, so ideally, an evaluation with a geriatric psychiatrist or a counselor who specializes in the care of older adults would be helpful. It's important to treat the causes of the symptom, and not just the symptom, to avoid complications. For example, individuals who are dementing often experience "abandonment anxiety" when left alone (out of sight, out of mind), even when you are just in another room.
Can you help with smoking addiction?
Yes there are medication and cognitive behavioral therapy options.
Is depression common among elders?
Depression is common especially as one moves from community settings to hospitals to longterm care. Late-life depression is certainly treatable but tends to be more brittle, requiring READ MORE
Depression is common especially as one moves from community settings to hospitals to longterm care. Late-life depression is certainly treatable but tends to be more brittle, requiring close monitoring.
Can you fix the alcohol addiction?
With comprehensive care - AA, individual therapy, and possibly medications, many individuals eventually succeed.
How to help an overweight elderly woman?
I assume her physician has already done a workup for medical causes of weight gain. If so, an evaluation with a geriatric psychiatrist may be helpful in determining if there is READ MORE
I assume her physician has already done a workup for medical causes of weight gain. If so, an evaluation with a geriatric psychiatrist may be helpful in determining if there is an undiagnosed mental health issue that may be treated and which may assist with weight management. The treatment will depend on the underlying issues discovered through the evaluation process.
Do people with dementia get geriatric depression?
Yes. Depression with onset later in life is itself a risk factor for dementia. As the brain changes due to dementia, it predisposes individuals to depression as well as other psychological READ MORE
Yes. Depression with onset later in life is itself a risk factor for dementia. As the brain changes due to dementia, it predisposes individuals to depression as well as other psychological and behavioral problems.
How serious is geriatric depression?
If the diagnosis is accurate, yes, depression in later life can contribute to medical, cognitive, and other problems, including suicide, particularly in older white males.
Should I see a doctor for panic attacks?
Yes, the possibility of an underlying medical problem such as heart disease or thyroid problem need to be ruled out, in addition to treating the attacks either with cognitive behavioral READ MORE
Yes, the possibility of an underlying medical problem such as heart disease or thyroid problem need to be ruled out, in addition to treating the attacks either with cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medications.
What doctor treats alcohol addiction?
Typically an adult psychiatrist would be able to help. Depending on the complexity of the problem, there are psychiatrists who specialize in addictions too.
What can older patients take for geriatric depression?
Yes antidepressants are commonly used after a medical work up if no medical issues are identified and talk therapy or other interventions are hard to access or person prefers medication. READ MORE
Yes antidepressants are commonly used after a medical work up if no medical issues are identified and talk therapy or other interventions are hard to access or person prefers medication.
How do I help my grandmother's loneliness?
By a home, Im not sure if you mean a group home or an assisted living. Usually the best option is to encourage the same activities, modified for age and physical limitations, that READ MORE
By a home, Im not sure if you mean a group home or an assisted living. Usually the best option is to encourage the same activities, modified for age and physical limitations, that the person enjoyed before. Senior centers often provide socialization that many find enjoyable once they get over the idea of going. If its an assisted living facility, they should have structured activities that she can participate in too. Although challenging, best option usually is finding a way to remain engaged with things and people they enjoyed before.
Will hospice worsen my grandmother's mental health?
No, usually hospice is well equipped and skilled to deal with all comfort issues, including mental health.
How is dementia different from Alzheimer's?
Dementia is a very general term for a wide range of conditions that lead to impairments in memory, learning, and ability to care for self. Alzheimers is just one type of dementia. READ MORE
Dementia is a very general term for a wide range of conditions that lead to impairments in memory, learning, and ability to care for self. Alzheimers is just one type of dementia. Others include Parkinsons disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, etc.
How should I deal with mom's depression associated with Parkinson's?
Hi, depression is quite common in Parkinson's disease due to destruction of the nerve cells that modulate mood. Typically, an antidepressant is required to manage depression such READ MORE
Hi, depression is quite common in Parkinson's disease due to destruction of the nerve cells that modulate mood. Typically, an antidepressant is required to manage depression such as this that has at least a partial basis in brain pathology. Of course, she may also benefit from psychotherapy that allows her to cope with the limitations imposed by the condition.
What are the symptoms of geriatric depression?
They certainly can be. A basic medical work up to explore medical causes of mood changes such as thyroid disease would be prudent. Symptoms of later life depression are largely READ MORE
They certainly can be. A basic medical work up to explore medical causes of mood changes such as thyroid disease would be prudent. Symptoms of later life depression are largely similar to earlier ages: sleep and appetite disturbances, low energy, inability to experience joy, slowed thinking and movements, and not uncommonly, cognitive problems such as poor focus or forgetfulness.
What are the warning signs of Alzheimer's?
Often, the early signs tend to be short-term memory loss, word finding deficits, difficulty navigating spaces, and possibly mood changes or anxiety. There is a long list of medical READ MORE
Often, the early signs tend to be short-term memory loss, word finding deficits, difficulty navigating spaces, and possibly mood changes or anxiety. There is a long list of medical and neurological conditions that can lead to confusion so ideally he needs a full work up which at a minimum would include blood work to rule out reversible causes of mental status changes, possibly a CT or MRI brain, psychiatric or neurological evaluation, and possibly formal cognitive testing. There are many types of dementia and accurate diagnosis helps with treatment and life planning.
My friend doesn't take care of her mother. Is this elder abuse?
Neglect can be a form of elder abuse, especially if basic life needs are not being met in a way that might jeopardize safety or health. Depending on where you live, the state's READ MORE
Neglect can be a form of elder abuse, especially if basic life needs are not being met in a way that might jeopardize safety or health. Depending on where you live, the state's division on aging typically has caseworkers who can make a home visit to evaluate the situation.
What is the best medicine for bipolar?
All medications, if properly dosed and used for a long enough period of time to take effect, are EQUALLY effective. What distinguishes the medications is their pharmacology, side READ MORE
All medications, if properly dosed and used for a long enough period of time to take effect, are EQUALLY effective. What distinguishes the medications is their pharmacology, side effect profile, drug-drug and drug-disease interactions, etc. So, for example, someone who has kidney or thyroid disease may not be a good candidate for therapy with lithium. Someone who has liver disease may not be an ideal candidate for Depakote. There may be individuals for whom weight gain could be problematic because they are diabetic or have other medical concerns; in that case, medications that are more weight neutral would be preferred. This would be a general way of thinking about psychiatric medications of any class.
How can I help my grandmother with her depression?
Hi, I think she needs a consultation with a geriatrically trained psychiatrist. If one is not available, you might want to start with her primary care doctor. She may need a routine READ MORE
Hi, I think she needs a consultation with a geriatrically trained psychiatrist. If one is not available, you might want to start with her primary care doctor. She may need a routine medical workup for depression, talk therapy, and possibly medication.
Why do some senior citizens avoid seeing the doctor?
The list of reasons is quite long, but some factors could include: 1. They may not be able to afford care due to restrictive insurance coverages, deductibles, and copays. 2. Transportation READ MORE
The list of reasons is quite long, but some factors could include: 1. They may not be able to afford care due to restrictive insurance coverages, deductibles, and copays. 2. Transportation to and from appointments may be an issue. 3. They have cognitive impairment and are unable to manage scheduling appointments, etc. 4. They may be depressed or anxious and not seek out care or may not have the energy or motivation to do so. 5. Their insight might be limited and they do not feel they need care, or they've had a prior traumatic experience in the medical system that becomes a barrier. 6. There may be cultural barriers such as a different understanding of what's causing the symptoms. These are just some of the barriers that play a role.
