What is High-functioning Depression?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
business woman wondering what is high-functioning depression

What is high-functioning depression? High-functioning depression, clinically known as dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder, is a form of depression where individuals can maintain their daily responsibilities and outward appearances of normalcy despite experiencing chronic symptoms of depression. These symptoms include low mood, fatigue, and a general lack of interest, which persist over a long period but may not severely disrupt daily functioning. Many people with high-functioning depression struggle silently, as their ability to keep up with daily tasks masks the severity of their emotional pain. This often leads to their struggles being overlooked or minimized by themselves and others, making it difficult to recognize the need for help. Understanding high-functioning depression requires acknowledging that someone can appear productive and engaged while internally battling significant emotional distress, emphasizing the importance of compassionate support and professional depression treatment. What Is High-Functioning Depression? High-functioning depression, also known as dysthymia, presents a unique challenge …

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How to Help an Alcoholic Spouse

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
couple talking after learning how to help an alcoholic spouse

Understanding how to help an alcoholic spouse requires patience, understanding, and a proactive approach. Encourage your spouse to seek professional help through therapy or support groups. Offer emotional support without enabling their behavior, and consider joining a support group to learn coping strategies. Setting boundaries is crucial for your well-being and can motivate them towards recovery. Addressing addiction within a family, especially when it involves a spouse, requires careful navigation through emotional and psychological complexities. Providing support while encouraging professional help from a doctor offering alcohol addiction treatment in Los Angeles is a delicate balance that demands understanding and patience. This article explores how to help an alcoholic spouse. Understanding Alcoholism Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, is a medical condition characterized by an inability to manage or cease alcohol consumption despite its adverse effects on one’s health, relationships, and responsibilities. It’s a chronic disease that can affect anyone, …

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What Causes Mental Health Problems?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
man reading about what causes mental health problems

There are several factors to consider when evaluating what causes mental health problems. Mental health problems can arise from genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. These elements interact in complex ways, with life experiences such as trauma, stress, and societal pressures playing significant roles. Understanding this multifaceted nature is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies. Understanding what causes mental health problems can help people approach the treatment needed. Mental health issues can profoundly impact individuals’ lives, yet their origins often remain misunderstood, leading to ineffective treatment approaches and persistent stigma. Without a clear understanding of the underlying causes, efforts to address these conditions may only scratch the surface, leaving root issues unresolved and individuals struggling in silence. The stigma surrounding mental health further exacerbates the situation, making it difficult for those affected to seek help. By delving into the causes of mental health problems, including genetic, environmental, and psychological …

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The Benefits of Ketamine Treatment for PTSD

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
man sitting in park after successful ketamine treatment for ptsd

Ketamine treatment for PTSD may help someone overcome painful mental health symptoms. Ketamine therapy has high efficacy and many benefits, including being safe, non-invasive, and promoting neuroplasticity. When combined with psychotherapy, ketamine can have even more benefit. You can receive the medicine intravenously, intramuscularly, or by nasal spray. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) presents a significant challenge in mental health, necessitating innovative treatments that can offer swift and effective relief.  Ketamine treatment for PTSD addresses this need by providing a rapid response mechanism, reducing symptoms significantly faster than traditional methods.  The benefits of this type of therapy include not only quick symptom alleviation but also the potential for facilitating more profound therapeutic work by enhancing mood and cognitive functions, making it a valuable option for those struggling with PTSD. In this article, we share several benefits of ketamine treatment for PTSD. What is PTSD? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric …

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Ketamine Therapy Depression Treatment

310-601-9999 Are you interested in Ketamine Therapy? Tell us a little bit about yourself and we’ll get in touch with information about our treatment services. Full Name(Required) Email(Required) Phone Number(Required)Best time to contact you CAPTCHA Δ Visit our Privacy Policy KETAMINE ACTS LIKE NO OTHER ANTIDEPRESSANT Ketamine therapy is a powerful treatment option as part of a comprehensive care plan for depression and other mood disorders. This ability to reduce self-harm automatically puts ketamine into a very select group of medications, along with lithium and clozapine. Reducing self-harm is a result which no other antidepressant has ever been proven to have. Ketamine blocks glutamate, a neurotransmitter associated with stress, while most antidepressants act on the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine. Ketamine has also been shown to help stimulate the regrowth of neurons in a brain stressed by depression,4 likely by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).5 Ketamine can help with one …

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