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Addressing Change

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change

By Ashley Barnes Change. One doesn’t have to be diagnosed with adjustment disorder (which is an actual diagnosis) to have a hard time with change. The reality is that we will be faced with many changes throughout the course of our lives. Your favorite restaurant in your hometown may close its doors for the last time. You may leave the expectancy, sureness, and comfort of your home for a dorm room. You may adjust to a new job, or change careers entirely. You may be navigating the drastic change that comes with the loss of a relationship or the death of a loved one.  We so often grow comfortable and rooted in certain aspects of our lives that when change comes about, we feel uprooted. Change can be surprising or it can be anxiously anticipated. It could evoke fear and excitement simultaneously. Whatever comes up for you, I want to …

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7 Uses for Ketamine Therapy

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7 uses for Ketamine therapy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ketamine for limited use as a general anesthetic, initially used in the 1960s and 1970s. Ketamine was the go-to anesthesia for treating wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Around this same time, researchers were discovering other uses for Ketamine. However, as the drug became popular among recreational users, President Nixon banned it and classified it as a schedule III narcotic. Uses for Ketamine in Mental Health In recent years, Ketamine has been making a comeback in the mental health industry. Psychiatrists can administer Ketamine as an off-label prescription in their clinic. No take-home prescriptions are allowed, however. Esketamine, a nasal spray, and an intravenous drip are the two most common treatment methods. The more time that passes and the more data gathered, the uses for Ketamine are expanding. Below are seven examples. 1. Severe Depression Ketamine is currently an effective treatment for severe depression. If …

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National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

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A family participating in therapy for bipolar disorder

By Ashley Barnes What is National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month? National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed during the entire month of July since 2008 with an effort to bring attention to the multitude of mental health challenges that affect BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) groups. The effort was developed by Mental Health America to bring light to the communities’ concerns and traumas which tie into their mental health experience, noting the historical marginalization, prejudice, and stigmatization that still impact the BIPOC community today.  BIPOC Mental Health. According to Mental Health America, 6.8 million Black/African Americans, 8.9 million Latinx/Hispanic Americans, 2.2 million Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, and 830,000 Native Americans are reported to be living with mental illness; further, people who identity as being two or more races are most likely to report any mental illness within the past year than any other race/ethnic group (2021). Studies …

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Self-Care Spotlight 003

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change

By Ashley Barnes   This week, I discovered that I had been overlooking one of the most underrated forms of self care: going on a short walk. Getting movement is a way to regulate our nervous systems and is an especially important tool to utilize when we are parked in our office chairs all day. It is also a way to get a change of scenery and some novelty to add something new to our routines. Especially as daylight lingers longer into the evening and as the temperature starts to cool, going on walks may be a good way to exercise and take a break after a long day. If you are an early bird, the mornings are another wonderful time to get some movement in if possible! When I go on my walks, I like to incorporate mindfulness by taking note of the chirping birds, the chatter of people …

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The Best Ketamine Music to Play During Infusions

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The best ketamine music to play during infusions

Anyone with treatment-resistant depression may find relief through ketamine infusions. If you and your health provider have made the decision to try ketamine therapy, you’ll find that music is a great way to pass your infusion sessions in no time. But what is the best Ketamine music to play during infusions? Let’s find out. What Is Ketamine? Ketamine is a drug developed in the 1960s and was once used on the battlefield as anesthesia for injured soldiers. As its popularity in the medical field grew, so did its recreational popularity. Misuse of ketamine was a widespread problem, causing many people to overdose and develop addictions. President Nixon banned ketamine in the 1970s; until recently, it hasn’t been a significant player in treating depression. Researchers are finding a ketamine regimen can significantly improve mental health disorders in a short period. Also, the positive outcomes of ketamine infusions can last a long time–positively impacting …

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