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Newer Atypical Antidepressants
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an illness that has an influence on the way people feel, think, and act. Some individuals suffer a single episode of depression, while others have multiple episodes during their lifetime. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) is used to diagnose depression. The symptoms to diagnose a person with MDD must persist for at least two weeks and include five or more of the following. The symptoms
How to Choose the Right Psychiatric Provider for Your Mental Health
Your anxiety may feel suffocating. Your depression may have you spiraling. ADHD may render you unproductive or feeling frazzled. It’s time to reach out for help, but where do you begin? Finding a psychiatric mental health provider for the first time, or even transferring your care due ongoing circumstances, can be a daunting task and an overwhelming transition in your life. How do you take the steps to ensure you are receiving the best support possible? Making that first mo
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
What is a "Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder?" There are several mental health disorders that can affect women and their families during the “perinatal” period which is the time of pregnancy or anytime during the first year after birth. There is a greater occurrence of mental health disorders during the perinatal period and this is thought to be caused by the unique physical and emotional demands of pregnancy, childbirth, and new parenthood. There is an even greater vuln
Ketamine Use in Psychiatry
What is Ketamine? Ketamine is an NMDA antagonist meaning it blocks the NMDA (N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE) brain receptor. It is a schedule III anesthetic agent that was approved by the FDA in 1970.
Historically, Ketemine has been used as an anesthetic medication during surgery. In recent years, the use of low dose intravenous ketamine (single dose) has been used in severely depressed patients to quickly decrease/abort depressed mood. Because of the rapid reduction in symptoms, the
Understanding Schizophrenia
What is Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a chronic psychological disorder that interferes with how a person shows emotions, thinks, and interacts with other people. People with Schizophrenia sometimes perceive reality differently. Oftentimes, they have trouble maintaining employment and close healthy relationships. Schizophrenia requires life-long management to control symptoms (NIMH, n.d.). What are some of the symptoms of schizophrenia? Schizophrenia symptoms are group into
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What is PTSD? PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) is a mental health problem that some people may develop after experiencing or witnessing dangerous, shocking, scary or life-threatening events. These events can be natural disasters, motor vehicle accidents, violent events, military combat, or sexual assaults (ADAA, n.d.). It's normal to have troublesome memories, difficulty sleeping, or feel edgy/nervous after a traumatic event. Initially, the ability to perform normal acti
Understanding Depression
What is depression? Depression is more than feeling sad all the time. People with depression oftentimes find it difficult to make it through their everyday lives. Depression can interfere with different aspects of your life including your sleep and appetite. Because depression can have a major impact on your life you should let our providers know if you have any of these symptoms NIMH, n.d.).: Sleep changes (sleeping too much or inability to sleep) Changes in appetite Sudden
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder can involve unusual mood changes that are on different ends of the mood spectrum: manic, depressed or mixed (both manic and depressed at the same time). Some days you can feel overly energized and very productive (can last for a week or longer), while other days you may feel down, depressed and may even find it difficult to get out of the bed. Some people can experience both manic and depressed mood together. What does it mean to hav
Understanding Anxiety Disorders
What is anxiety? It’s common to feel anxious (fear & worry) prior to a significant event such as a presentation, job interview, romantic date, or a school examination. What are anxiety disorders? Anxiety disorders are more than the normal anxiety that is felt prior to significant events. Longstanding (typically last 6 months or longer) exaggerated anxiety that interferes with your daily life: school, hobbies, work, and home is known as anxiety disorder. Untreated anxiety diso
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