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Month: March 2024

What to Expect After Ketamine Treatment for Depression

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
what to expect after ketamine treatment for depression

If you have treatment-resistant depression, you may be interested in what to expect after ketamine treatment for depression. After receiving ketamine treatment for depression, many patients may experience rapid improvement in depressive symptoms, with some reporting relief within hours to days. This treatment can lead to varied outcomes, including enhanced mood, increased motivation, and improved emotional stability. However, discussing potential side effects and long-term outcomes with a healthcare provider is essential. Depression often leads individuals into a seemingly endless tunnel with no light in sight, especially when traditional treatments fail to provide relief. Ketamine treatment emerges as a beacon of hope, offering rapid and significant improvements where other methods have not succeeded. Understanding the outcomes and navigating the journey post-treatment is crucial for those considering this path. This article explores what to expect after ketamine treatment for depression. What to Expect After Ketamine Treatment for Depression When considering ketamine treatment …

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How Does Bipolar Disorder Affect the Brain?

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
Smiling woman after asking how does bipolar disorder affect the brain

How does bipolar disorder affect the brain? Bipolar disorder impacts the brain by causing alterations in mood regulation mechanisms, neurotransmitter levels, and neural circuitry. This can lead to significant mood swings, ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. Studies suggest changes in brain volume and activity, particularly in areas responsible for emotional regulation and cognitive function, contributing to the symptoms and challenges associated with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that significantly impact an individual’s life. These mood fluctuations correlate with profound changes in brain structure and function, affecting emotional regulation, energy levels, and cognitive processes. Fortunately, bipolar disorder treatment can help stabilize mood swings, reduce episode severity and frequency, and improve daily functioning. This article explores a common question we hear – how does bipolar disorder affect the brain? How Does Bipolar Disorder Affect the Brain? Bipolar disorder, marked by …

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How to Help Someone with OCD

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
how to help someone with OCD

Interested in learning how to help someone with OCD? Helping someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves learning more about the mental health disorder, including recognizing the signs, symptoms, causes or risk factors, and various treatments available. You learn how to replace enabling behaviors with helpful support. You can also learn how to help them find the right type of treatment, which may include medication, therapy, alternative therapies, and self-care. People with OCD often struggle silently, feeling trapped by their thoughts and rituals. Acknowledging this challenge is the first step toward offering meaningful support. By learning about OCD and engaging in open, nonjudgmental conversations, you can encourage them to explore the benefits of seeking professional psychiatry and therapy in Los Angeles. This article explores how to help someone with OCD. How to Help Someone with OCD Supporting someone with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be challenging, as it requires a delicate balance …

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Categories OCD

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week 2024

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National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week 2024 The Drug Enforcement Administration supports the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) during their annual National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW®) which has been held since 2010. NDAFW brings scientific experts and teens together to discuss the scientific facts about drugs, as well as their potential health effects on teen bodies and brains.  The week-long observance will be held March 18-24, 2024. Substance Use and the Teen Brain “As adolescents mature, they undergo complex developmental changes, especially in their brains. The widespread changes in the organization and functioning of the brain—which continue into a person’s mid-20s—bring about the cognitive, emotional, and social skills necessary for adolescents to survive and thrive. The nature of these rapid changes may also increase the adolescent brain’s vulnerability to alcohol exposure” (U.S. Department …

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PTSD Treatment for First Responders

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
PTSD Treatment for First Responders

PTSD treatment for first responders offers support for those on the front lines. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment for first responders often includes trauma-focused psychotherapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These treatments aim to help individuals process and manage their trauma-related thoughts and feelings, providing them with coping strategies to deal with triggers and reduce PTSD symptoms effectively. First responders are exposed to dangerous and traumatic emergencies that can, over time, impact their mental health. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can make it difficult for first responders to do their jobs, strain personal relationships, and lead to other mental health symptoms. PTSD treatment is available and involves multiple evidence-based trauma-focused therapies to help first responders understand and cope with their symptoms. This article explores PTSD treatment for first responders. The Prevalence of PTSD Among First Responders The prevalence of …

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