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Mental Health

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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Following a Sleep Hygiene Checklist to Beat Insomnia

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Following a sleep hygiene checklist to beat insomnia

Sleep disturbances are a growing problem in America, with insomnia being the most common. However, creating and following a regular sleep hygiene checklist is one way to promote healthy sleep habits for a better quality of life–along with professional therapy and/or other lifestyle changes. Let’s find out why. How Many People Suffer from Insomnia? According to reports, up to 35% have brief insomnia symptoms, and up to 20% have short-term insomnia that can last up to three months. In addition, 10% of Americans have chronic insomnia disorder, which occurs at least three times a week for three months or more. Research shows women are at higher risk of developing insomnia than men, with pregnancy and pre-menstrual syndrome increasing a woman’s likelihood. The consequences of insomnia and sleep disturbances can include drowsy driving, lower productivity or increased accidents and errors at work, and mental illness. Specifically, 40% of those with insomnia have …

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Preparing for Your First Telehealth Session

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Preparing for your first telehealth session

Telehealth or a telehealth session may also be known as online therapy, virtual therapy, or teletherapy when treating mental health disorders and substance use disorders. While telehealth has been around for several decades, it has recently taken significant leaps in all areas of health care. Telehealth is defined as the use of any technological device to engage in therapeutic services. For example, video conferencing with your doctor to discuss medication-assisted treatment, telephone therapy sessions, couples therapy chats, individual therapies, and messages or assignments sent through emails and texts. The best telehealth programs utilize multiple online systems. How to Prepare for a First Telehealth Session If you are preparing for your first telehealth session, you can take some essential steps to ensure it is successful. Because video chats are often chosen as the initial forms of contact, the following preparation steps will focus on that type of online communication. 1. Prepare …

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