Back In Therapy

Well, I’m the one who forever bashed and slammed the use of therapy, as a way to heal one’s problems and move along with one’s life.  I still believe, however, that in respect to dredging up old memories and hurts was detrimental to the well being of my life.
Now, I’m back in therapy.
The new job [...]

Codependency

What is codependency? How do I know if I’m codependent?  
Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Daniel Hall-Flavin, M.D., answers:
The term “codependency” was coined more than 20 years ago by authors who studied the negative impact of drug and alcohol use on families. Since then, use of the term has been expanded to include a pattern of psychologically [...]

What Is The Relationship Between Vitamin B-12 And Depression?

Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Daniel Hall-Flavin, M.D., answers:
Doctors have long known of the relationship between low levels of vitamin B-12 and depression. Vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins, such as folate, play a role in the production of certain neurotransmitters, which are important in regulating mood and other brain functions.
However, it is less clear whether vitamin [...]

Night Shift Nurses More Likely To Have Poor Sleep Habits

Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Date: June 12, 2007
Science Daily — Nurses who work the night shift are more likely to have poor sleep habits, a practice that can increase the likelihood of committing serious errors that can put the safety of themselves as well as their patients at risk, according to recent research.
Arlene Johnson, [...]

I’M FRIGGIN’ ANGRY!!!!

I COULD SCREAM!!!  My world has been turned upside down.  Actually, it’s due to my working world. It’s has been turned upside down once, yet again.
I have been back to work 1 ½ years.  It has not been clear sailing, believe me; first the training, then the three-month probation.  Also, mastering the company’s computer system [...]

DEPRESSION: Signs and symptoms

These are just some of the signs and symptoms of DEPRESSION, but each person is different.

Persistent sad feelings or a mood, low, gloomy for no explanation. Crying spells.
A lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed, such as socializing with family and friends.
Thoughts of suicide or preoccupation with death.
Difficulty with sleep. Sleep behavior altering from difficulty [...]

Depression and Children

Know the Facts:
~~ As many as one in every 33 children may have depression.
~~ Once a young person has experienced a major depression, he or she is at risk of developing another depression within the next 5 years.
~~ Children under stress, who experience loss, or who have attention, learning or conduct disorders are at a [...]

Can Antidepressants Cause Weight Gain?

Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Daniel Hall-Flavin, M.D., answers:
The exact relationship between antidepressants and weight gain isn’t clear. But weight gain is a reported side effect of nearly all antidepressant medications currently available.
Certain antidepressants are more likely to cause weight gain than are others. For example, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are more likely to [...]

Can Physical or Sexual Abuse in Childhood Cause BPD?

Can physical or sexual abuse in childhood cause borderline personality disorder?
Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Daniel Hall-Flavin, M.D., answers:
Traumatic events in childhood — such as physical or sexual abuse — increase the risk of borderline personality disorder and other personality disorders. But the exact cause of borderline personality disorder isn’t known. Most likely, it’s caused by a [...]

FDA Expands Antidepressant SUICIDE WARNING

What happened? Since 2005, antidepressant labels have warned of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents who take antidepressants. Now Food and Drug Administration (FDA) experts recommend expanding the suicide warning to include adults ages 18 to 24.
The black box warning — the sternest drug warning issued by the FDA [...]

Stressed-Out Moms At Risk Of Poor Mental Health

Reuters Health
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Mothers of young children who feel they lack emotional support or help in caring for their children have more than three-times the risk of mental health problems compared to their peers who feel adequately supported, a new study shows.
More than one third of the 1,747 [...]

Mentally Ill Kids Face Widespread Stigma

April 30, 2007 08:40:48 PM PST
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, April 30 (HealthDay News) — Children with mental illness may face a double burden — the condition itself, and discrimination and stigma at school and elsewhere, a new survey shows.
Almost half of U.S. adults polled expected that children undergoing mental health treatment would be rejected [...]

ECT - Will #54 Do The Trick?

It was decided: Wednesday would be the day.  I’ve kept count; it will be #54, another nightmare procedure producing nil results and I’m pessimistic.  I have to keep going, plodding along, slowly – ever so slowly to somehow reach the top of the mountain. I’ve lost most of my faith in ECT, including most of [...]

DEPRESSION CAN INCREASE DIABETES RISK

Poor mood may lead to less exercise, worsening diet, researchers suspect
MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) — Depression appears to raise the odds for diabetes in older people, researchers report.
“Older adults who report high levels of depressive symptoms are more likely to develop diabetes over time than older adults who have lower depressive symptoms,” said lead [...]

Inhalant Abuse Can Be Deadly *Read*

Inhalant Abuse Can Be Deadly, Even the First Time, Doctors Warn
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MD (May 7, 2007) — Parents and pediatricians should learn the warning signs of inhalant abuse, the potentially deadly inhalation of household products to get high.
Here are facts on inhalant abuse, published in the May edition [...]

PANIC ATTACKS

It can happen anytime, anywhere — when you’re alone, with others, at home, in public, even awakening you from a sound sleep. Suddenly, your heart begins to race, your face flushes and you experience shortness of breath. You feel dizzy, nauseated and out of control. Some people even feel like they’re dying.
You may have experienced [...]

PANIC ATTACKS - Signs & Symptoms

A panic attack often begins abruptly, peaks within 10 minutes and lasts about half an hour. But panic attacks have many variations. They may last hours or, on rare occasions, up to a day. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides.
Signs and symptoms may include:
·         Rapid heart rate
·         Sweating [...]

PANIC ATTACKS - Causes

Researchers aren’t sure what causes panic attacks. Heredity, stress and certain biochemical factors may play a role. Your chance of having panic attacks increases if you have a close family member who has had them.
Many researchers believe your body’s natural fight-or-flight response to danger is involved. For example, if a grizzly bear came after you, [...]

The Psychotherapy Mess

I met Cindy in 1994.   
Months of horrid dreams, flashbacks (I didn’t know they were called ‘flashbacks’ at the time) were consuming my life.  Crying spells were occurring at home, work, at the mall, while driving – I honestly thought I was losing it. 
Our weekly community newspaper arrived and in it was an ad [...]

Autism

Autism is a brain disorder that is associated with a range of developmental problems, mainly in communication and social interaction. The first signs of this disorder typically appear before age 3. Although treatment has improved greatly in the past few decades, autism cannot be cured. It persists throughout life.
It’s estimated that three to six of [...]

Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger’s syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects a child’s ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Children with Asperger’s syndrome typically exhibit social awkwardness and an all-absorbing interest in specific topics.
Doctors group Asperger’s syndrome with four other conditions that are called autistic spectrum disorders or pervasive developmental disorders. These disorders all involve problems [...]

What is Bipolar Disorder? Manic Depression? Video Part 1

Join me in an excellent video with information from the National Institute of Mental Health.

What is BP Disorder? Beyond Mania & Depression (Episode 2)

Personality Disorders - The Cluster Types: A, B & C

Whether you’re sociable, reserved, funny or forthright, everyone who knows you would likely list the same traits when describing your personality. These characteristics are the combined product of your heredity and early life experience, and they are fixed by the time you reach adulthood.
People with personality disorders have traits that cause them to feel and [...]

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Schizoid personality disorder is a condition in which people avoid social activities and consistently shy away from interaction with others. People with the disorder are generally loners with a profound inability to connect with others and form personal relationships.
To others, people with schizoid personality disorder may appear aloof, dull or humorless, and they are often [...]