310-601-9999

World Bipolar Day 2023

by
bipolar

By Ashley Barnes What is World Bipolar Day? Each year on March 30th, World Bipolar Day is observed to bring awareness to bipolar disorders and to eradicate social stigma. Vincent Van Gogh, the famous and extremely talented artist, was posthumously diagnosed as having a form of bipolar disorder; World Bipolar Day is celebrated each year on his birthday.  Prevalence of Bipolar Disorders. Bipolar disorder is more than just mood swings and there are different variations of the disorder with distinct criteria for each. Bipolar disorders are classified as mood disorders in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, alongside depressive disorders. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, “bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans,” or around 2.6% of the U.S. population who are age 18 and older (2019). Bipolar disorders impact those of all ages, genders, ethnic groups and social classes.  Symptoms of Bipolar Disorders. Those who …

Read more

How to Manage Depression in 2023

by
how to manage depression

Medically reviewed by Mark Hrymoc MD If COVID has taught us anything over the last few years, we are all vulnerable to mental health ups and downs. Depression rates skyrocketed during the pandemic and are still high today. Research shows that over 17 million adults have had at least one depressive episode. Among adolescents, over 2.5 million have severe depression, yet only about 60% receive treatment. There is no better time to start taking charge of your depression. You can do numerous things to make mental health a priority this year. In this article, you will learn how to manage depression. How to Manage Depression Depression is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. It can impact every aspect of a person’s life, including work, relationships, and daily routines. While many effective treatments are available for depression, managing the condition can be challenging. This …

Read more

Diagnosis: Benefits and Deeper Understanding

by
bipolar

By Ashley Barnes What is a diagnosis? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) is that which is used by mental health professionals in the United States as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders. The DSM includes symptoms, descriptions, and other criteria for diagnosing mental health disorders. In order to reach a diagnosis, individuals must meet distinct criteria as outlined in the DSM.  In order for a disorder to be outlined by the DSM, it has to cause the individual some form of distress, may present the individual with potential danger (such as betting all one’s money during a manic episode), deviance (what is deemed culturally abnormal), and dysfunction (impairment in areas of life such as interpersonal relationships, work, or tasks of daily living).  It is important to note that though we may find ourselves relating to descriptions of a certain diagnosis, only licensed …

Read more

Ketamine Treatment Benefits for Anxiety Relief

by
ketamine treatment benefits

For some people, anxiety is a mild nervousness that subsides after a few minutes or hours. For others, anxiety means constant worry, panic attacks, obsessive negative thoughts, and compulsive behaviors to help alleviate the anxiety. If you have anxiety, you are not alone. In the United States, anxiety is the most common mental health disorder. Over 40 million people over 18 are affected by anxiety. There are various types of anxiety disorders Americans are coping with today, including: 6.8 million with generalized anxiety disorder 6 million with panic disorder 15 million with social anxiety disorder 19.3 million with specific phobias 2.5 million with obsessive-compulsive disorder 7.7 million with post-traumatic stress disorder Fortunately, all anxiety disorders are treatable and manageable using a combination of medication, therapy, and alternative treatments. Common Treatments for Anxiety Anxiety treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment of your physical, mental, social, and familial histories. A licensed mental …

Read more

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week in 2023

by
national eating disorders awareness week in 2023

The last week in February, which spans days 20 to 26, is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. It’s an annual event created by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). This year, join others in spreading the word about recovery resources available to everyone. Get the conversation about eating disorders going in your community and support those in need of treatment. Education and awareness about eating disorders are crucial because they are mental health disorders that can lead to death. Opioid misuse, for example, is a mental illness with the highest annual deaths. The second highest number of mental illness-related deaths is from eating disorders. The more you know about eating disorders, the better you can advocate for change and help more people seek the help they deserve. What Are Eating Disorders? The American Psychiatric Association defines eating disorders as a change in eating behaviors caused by distressing and obsessive thoughts …

Read more