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Mental Health Center

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Different Types of Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

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A family participating in therapy for bipolar disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM5) defines bipolar disorder as changes in mood, ability to function, and energy levels. These changes can range from mild to severe in mania, depression, or both. Nearly 3% of Americans meet the criteria for bipolar disorder. The DSM5 criteria for mania include three of the following symptoms for at least one week: Decreased need for sleep Inflated ego Talked fast and a lot Distracted easily Engaged in risky activities Uncontrolled racing thoughts The DSM5 criteria for depression states a person must have five or more of the following in two weeks: Feel depressed most of the time Lose interest in activities you once enjoyed Change in appetite or weight Move around without purpose Feel tired or lack energy Feel worthless or hopeless Trouble concentrating or making decisions Thoughts about suicide or past attempt Does Bipolar Treatment Work? Bipolar disorder can be treated successfully …

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Adolescent Mental Health

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Adolescent Mental Health

Impact. One of the populations that the pandemic has impacted the most is adolescents ages 10 to 19, as their experience in the last couple years has shifted dramatically in terms of school and social development. The pandemic has resulted in school behind screens, less opportunity to interact with friends, and perhaps a general sense of isolation. While teens may have been connected to wifi, that doesn’t mean that they felt connected mentally or emotionally. Many adolescents report missing out on opportunities they would have otherwise gained from being in person, feeling isolated, feeling depressed, and many also report experiencing anxiety pertaining to returning to in-person school. According to the CDC, “more than 1 in 3 high school students had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a 40 percent increase since 2009” (CDC, 2021). This percentage is expected to have increased in light of the challenges in …

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What is Bipolar Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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What is bipolar depression

What is bipolar depression? According to research, 5.7 million Americans over the age of 18 have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Out of the 3.4 million children and adolescents with bipolar disorder systems, one percent are experiencing the onset of bipolar depression. The majority of the cases are severe. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic information in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, bipolar disorder is a brain disorder. A person’s mood changes as if swinging like a pendulum from one mood to the other. What is Bipolar Depression? Depression and mania are the two moods involved in bipolar disorder. Each person with bipolar disorder can have different levels of depression and mania. Some may experience extreme versions that interfere with daily functioning. Others may experience slight changes noticeable only to those close to them. If you think you, or someone you know, may have bipolar disorder, …

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Geriatric Mental Health

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geriatric mental health

What is geriatric healthcare? Geriatric healthcare describes the attentive medical care given to those over the age of 65 who are also referred to as seniors. Many individuals don’t seek geriatric healthcare until well into their 70s, 80s, or even 90s. A subspecialty in geriatric healthcare is geriatric psychiatry. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) describes geriatric psychiatry as addressing the “biological and psychological aspects of normal aging, the psychiatric effect of acute and chronic physical illness, and the biological and psychosocial aspects of the pathology of primary psychiatric disturbances of older age” (APA, 2021). Main focal points in geriatric psychiatry pertain to the “prevention, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders in the elderly and improvement of psychiatric care for healthy and ill elderly patients” (APA, 2021). Some of the most common psychiatric concerns that present in this population entail mood disorders such as depression and neurocognitive disorders …

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National Sleep Awareness Week

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National Sleep Awareness Week

What is Sleep Awareness Week? Sleep Awareness Week was launched in 1998 and is the National Sleep Foundation’s public education campaign with the aim to spread awareness about the importance of sleep as it relates to physical and mental health. This year, Sleep Awareness week will fall on Sunday, March 13th through Saturday, March 19th. Prepare your pillows and blankets! The Importance of Sleep. Many of us don’t recognize the importance of sleep until we discover the difficulties we face when we are sleep deprived. We may not acquire enough sleep due to staying up late cramming for an exam, staying up late to finish work, or struggling with sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea. Lack of sleep tampers with our mood, memory, and health in very impactful ways. In terms of mood and mental health, studies have discovered that lack of sleep induces heightened levels of anxiety …

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