Dr. Adrianus De Ruijter, MD

Dr. Adrianus De Ruijter, MD is a Psychiatrist practicing at HCA Florida Behavioral Health Specialists - Brandon in Brandon, FL. He is a dedicated partner in preventive mental healthcare, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General Psychiatrists are your primary partners in preventive mental healthcare, diagnosing and managing mental health disorders through medication and therapy, preventing relapse through proactive long-term care plans, coordinating crucial screenings, and fostering overall wellness to empower your journey to lasting mental health. He serves individuals of all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (561) 765-6892 to schedule.

Dr. de Ruijter is a board-certified psychiatrist with special interests in geriatric psychiatry, experienced in treating a wide range of psychiatric and mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, personality and mood disorders, alcoholism, PTSD, phobias and ADHD. He completed rigorous medical training at the Catholic University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands, followed by specialized residencies at esteemed institutions, including Hillside Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and SUNY at Stony Brook, and University Hospital. He is Board Certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology and is accepting telehealth visits. Dr. de Ruijter's care philosophy centers on improving patients' quality of life, utilizing medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both, with a particular passion for assisting elderly patients in navigating the challenges of aging. He offers consultations in Dutch.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Adrianus Ruijter is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Adrianus Ruijter can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Adrianus Ruijter provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Amphetamine or Related Acting Sympathomimetic Abuse: Misusing amphetamines or similar stimulants can seriously harm your mental and physical health; early intervention and support are crucial for preventing long-term complications.
• Sleep-Walking: Regular sleep hygiene practices and addressing any underlying medical conditions can significantly decrease sleepwalking incidents and improve overall health.
• Prolonged Grief Disorder: Prolonged grief disorder is a condition where grief after a loss becomes overwhelming and interferes with daily life, and early intervention can prevent it from becoming a chronic problem.
• Separation Anxiety: Addressing separation anxiety early can prevent it from developing into more significant anxiety disorders later in life, improving your overall well-being.
• Binge Eating Disorder: By managing binge eating disorder through therapy and potentially medication, individuals can prevent relapses and significantly improve their quality of life, fostering healthier eating habits and self-image.
• Phobia: Preventing the development of more severe anxiety issues, phobias should be addressed early on as they can interfere with work, relationships, and overall well-being.
• Anxiety: Preventative care for anxiety involves regular check-ups and open communication with your doctor to monitor your symptoms and adjust treatment as needed, ultimately reducing the chance of relapse.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Early detection and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can significantly reduce its impact on daily life and prevent the development of more severe symptoms.
• Hallucinogen Dependence: Hallucinogen dependence, if left untreated, can significantly increase your risk of experiencing serious mental and physical health problems, highlighting the importance of early intervention and preventive care.
• Mood Disorders (Dysthymia and Cyclothymia): Persistent low mood (dysthymia) or fluctuating moods between highs and lows (cyclothymia) can significantly impact your life, but early detection and treatment can prevent these from worsening into more severe conditions.
• Opioid Dependence: Preventive measures for opioid dependence focus on safe opioid use, proper pain management, and readily available addiction treatment, improving health outcomes.
• Drug and Alcohol Dependence: Preventive care for drug and alcohol dependence involves early intervention strategies to stop substance abuse before it causes irreversible damage.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Adrianus Ruijter offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Couples Therapy: Couples therapy helps identify and resolve communication issues that often contribute to mental health struggles, acting as an early intervention strategy.
• Dementia Evaluation: Investing in your cognitive well-being: a dementia evaluation helps identify potential cognitive issues early on, allowing for personalized treatment plans and support to maintain independence.
• Psychotherapy and Psychophysiological Therapy (incl. Biofeedback): Prevent mental health issues from escalating by seeking psychotherapy and psychophysiological therapy; these approaches identify stressors and provide tools to build resilience and prevent relapses.
• Dementia or Depression Screening: Take a proactive step towards maintaining your cognitive health by undergoing a screening that helps detect early signs of dementia or depression.
• Psychotherapy Services: Take a proactive step towards better mental well-being by exploring psychotherapy; it can help identify underlying issues and prevent future mental health challenges.
• Family Psychotherapy: As a proactive step in maintaining your mental well-being, family psychotherapy helps improve communication and support within the family to create a more supportive environment.
• Psychiatric Medication Therapy: Working closely with your psychiatrist, medication therapy is a personalized approach to improving your mental health and decreasing chances of future relapses.
• Memory Evaluation: Proactively monitor your cognitive function with a memory evaluation, a key step in early diagnosis and intervention for various memory-related conditions.
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure that uses brief electrical stimulation to the brain to help alleviate severe symptoms of depression or other mental health conditions when other treatments haven't been effective.
• Behavior Modification: Through behavior modification, you can proactively address the root causes of your mental health challenges and build resilience against future setbacks.
• Counseling Services: As a preventative measure, counseling helps screen for potential mental health disorders, offering early intervention to minimize their impact on your life.
• Group Psychotherapy: Proactively address mental health concerns and enhance your well-being by joining a group therapy setting where you can connect with others and build resilience.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Psychiatrists in Florida.

Dr. Adrianus Ruijter is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• Recognizing early warning signs and developing a proactive plan with support from a mental health professional, a patient successfully managed their use of amphetamines, reducing the risk of long-term health problems and fostering a sense of well-being.
• By establishing consistent sleep routines and addressing potential contributing factors, a family experienced a significant reduction in sleepwalking episodes, fostering a more restful and peaceful sleep environment.
• By proactively addressing their grief with a therapist's support, a patient was able to navigate the emotional challenges of loss, maintaining a sense of hope and normalcy in their life. This early intervention helped prevent prolonged grief disorder from impacting their daily functioning.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Psychiatric care with Dr. Adrianus Ruijter:

What is a Psychiatrist, and how are they different from a Psychologist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in mental health. They can prescribe and manage medications, in addition to providing therapy. Psychologists, while experts in psychotherapy and testing, are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication.

What can I expect during my first psychiatric evaluation with Dr. Adrianus Ruijter?

Your first visit with Dr. Ruijter will involve a comprehensive medical and psychiatric assessment. This will cover your medical history, symptoms, and life circumstances to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This is the first step in developing a holistic treatment plan, which may include medication, therapy, or both.

Do I have to take medication if I see a psychiatrist?

Dr. Ruijter will discuss all treatment options, including psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. Medication is a collaborative decision, recommended when it is the most effective tool for preventing symptoms from worsening and improving quality of life.

How does Dr. Adrianus Ruijter manage medication side effects?

Dr. Ruijter is careful and proactive in managing medication side effects. His goal is to find the medication with the most benefit and fewest side effects. He will start with low doses, closely monitor your response, and is an expert at adjusting dosages or changing medications to find the best fit for you.

What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe, modern medical procedure used for severe mental health conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression. It's performed under general anesthesia and involves a brief, controlled electrical stimulation of the brain. When other treatments haven't worked, ECT can be a highly effective option to prevent life-threatening symptoms.

What is the role of a psychiatrist in treating eating disorders?

Dr. Ruijter is a medical leader in your eating disorder treatment team. He will monitor your physical health, manage any co-occurring conditions with medication, and work closely with therapists and dietitians to support your safe recovery.

What is the medical approach to treating addiction?

Dr. Ruijter's approach to addiction treatment is a comprehensive medical model. This includes FDA-approved medications like Suboxone® or Vivitrol® to help manage cravings and prevent relapse, combined with counseling and support to maximize the chances of long-term recovery.

Can you help with sleep problems like insomnia?

Yes, Dr. Ruijter is experienced in sleep-wake disorders. He will first evaluate for any underlying medical or psychiatric causes and then recommend treatments, including behavioral therapies and, when appropriate, safe and effective sleep medications.

HCA Florida Behavioral Health Specialists - Brandon
615 Vonderburg Dr Ste C
Brandon FL 33511
Phone: (561) 765-6892

Dr. Adrianus De Ruijter, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1144394800

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Psychiatrists like Dr. Adrianus Ruijter are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your psychiatrist about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.