We have been hearing for many years now warnings about social media and its impact on our youth. We never talk about the adults who are also likely addicted to the same social media, or smartphones in general. We hear about “dopamine hits” and most people don’t know what that means. We also hear about these large...
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.” But what does it actually mean? In my last blog, I talked about how people in the United States have grown heavier over time and how processed and ultra-processed foods have become more common. I didn’t take sides but shared research about obesity and food....
When I was in medical school, I remember learning about how some people who lived in the South of the United States were considered by the medical establishment as both morbidly obese and malnourished[^1]. This seemed paradoxical, and I stored it into my brain along with a whole lot of other facts about being alive...
The first thing to know is that ketamine therapy is a totally different, some would call it “novel” approach to treating mental illness. This is one reason why there is not a lot of literature covering the use of ketamine in this respect. Most of the drugs in psychiatry (stimulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics….) do not...
Distinguishing mourning (grief) from depression can be tricky due to overlapping symptoms, but they differ in cause and expression. Mourning relates to a specific loss, like a death, breakup, or life change. The pain ties directly to the loss. Depression, however, may arise without a clear trigger or persist beyond a loss.¹ While there are...
I receive inquiries daily regarding whether I perform Autism Testing. The answer depends significantly on the individual’s age. For younger children, typically aged 18–24 months, testing often involves comprehensive evaluations, such as a written report (commonly referred to as a “neuro-psych exam”), which assists in obtaining necessary services or accommodations.[^1]. Early identification and diagnosis are...
How do we determine what is “normal” behavior for teens, versus, a need to find help in the form of a psychiatrist and/or therapist? Generally speaking, if your teenager has irritability without any clear triggers, and their irritability can lead to harm to themselves or to others, then it may be time to seek help.[1]...
Although ADHD is likely over-represented in people with ASD, the other way around is not true. As I wrote in my last blog, there are a lot of similarities between ASD and ADHD1. While ADHD is often characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, ASD involves challenges in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities2. Both...
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that affect daily life.1 Symptoms overlap with disorders like ASD, schizophrenia, mood, and substance abuse disorders due to shared dopamine and serotonin pathway dysregulations, affecting attention, mood, and impulse control.2 Genetic and environmental factors, such as prenatal stress, further contribute to these overlaps, though each disorder remains...
Typically, referring to a person as having Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) suggests there is no way to help them from themselves. There are definitely stereotypes of people with BPD, including that they are “manipulative” or “attention-seeking,” that they are “dangerous” or “unstable,” and they are unable to “form healthy relationships.”1 According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual...
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