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Mental Health Center

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Should You Quit Cold Turkey for Addiction?

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Should you quit cold turkey for addiction?

To quit cold turkey means to stop doing something abruptly without help from a professional and use replacement medications. When someone says they will quit cold turkey, they aren’t usually smiling with joy. That’s because they know the awful, sometimes painful symptoms that follow quitting something abruptly, like an addiction or substance abuse problem. It is the withdrawal symptoms that cause most people to relapse on whatever their drug of choice. If you have ever tried to quit sugar or caffeine, you know the headaches, goosebumps, chills, nausea, and irritability that set in within six hours of not having them. For many, it doesn’t take much longer than that to use sugar and caffeine again. When someone wants to quit misusing alcohol or drugs cold turkey, they will experience much harsher withdrawal symptoms. Depending on their drug of choice, quitting cold turkey can be more dangerous than continuing to use the substance. …

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Comparing Esketamine vs Ketamine Infusion Treatment

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Comparing Esketamine vs Ketamine infusion treatment

Although Esketamine and Ketamine infusions can help manage treatment-resistant depression (TRD), each has its differences. Today, we will explore Esketamine vs Ketamine infusion treatment and find out how they affect the brain, how the administration and dosage work, what the side effects are, and much more. Esketamine vs Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression A few years ago, in 2019, psychiatrists anxiously awaited a decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They debated whether to approve Esketamine as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) for those diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or at a higher risk for suicide. Treatment-resistant depression is a diagnosis given to someone who has tried two or more therapies or a combination of treatments to improve their mental health, including medication and counseling, without success. Current data shows that at least 30% of people with MDD are eventually diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. Having either disorder can feel overwhelming, and …

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The Daily Challenges of Depression in Day to Day Life

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The daily challenges of depression in day to day life

Dealing with the daily challenges of depression comes in different forms. When the alarm clock wakes you up, do you get a knot in your stomach and pray for a reason to stay in bed all day? When your best friend asks you to hang out the upcoming weekend, do you get excited and accept the invitation? Closer to the outing, do you begin dreading it and looking for excuses to cancel? Do you have moments at work, school, or socially where you cannot control your emotions? Like when you lash out at a coworker or get road rage? But then, when you get home to your spouse, do you feel emotionless, and no matter what you try, you don’t feel romantic or loving? These are just a few examples of how depression can challenge your day-to-day life. You Are Not Alone Data shows more than 17 million Americans have at …

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Getting Through the Holidays with an Eating Disorder

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Getting through the holidays with an eating disorder

Getting through the holidays with an eating disorder can be rough. Millions of people suffer from an eating condition, including 28.8 million in the United States and at least 9% worldwide. Athletes, veterans, LGBTQ+, and many other races, genders, and ages are affected. It’s sad, but among children, 42% of first through third graders reported they want to be thinner. Coping with an eating disorder, especially during food-focused events occurring during the holidays, can be incredibly challenging due to all the constant festivities. For example,  you could have an unofficial office party, hump day happy hour with friends, and a family reunion on the weekend in one week. No wonder someone with an eating disorder may feel stressed and overwhelmed during the holidays. Some may not realize they have an eating disorder and wonder why their thoughts and actions regarding food and their body worsen when they should celebrate and …

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Can Esketamine for Depression Really Help?

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Can esketamine for depression really help?

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with over 280 million people impacted by its symptoms. Depression can cause you to feel sad and blue even though everything in your life seems to be going right. You can feel exhausted even though you get enough sleep. Sometimes, you get too much sleep and aren’t motivated to get out of bed. You aren’t alone. And thankfully, esketamine for depression exists and may be able to help those who feel they have no other options left. Symptoms of Depression Symptoms include weakness, irritability, loss of pleasure in activities you once enjoyed, appetite changes, or a feeling of emptiness. You can have mild, moderate, or severe depression. Depending on the severity, you may have thoughts of suicide. The World Health Organization reports that 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide annually, and it is the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. People who …

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