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...

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...

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...

Generally, most people who go on any kind of diet are doing this to lose weight.  One of the more famous diets is the Keto Diet, where a close to complete removal of carbohydrates from daily meals will bring the dieting person into what is called Ketosis.  This is when the body switches from burning...

Sweet things are good, no?  Of course sweet things are good.  What about the newer semaglutides (such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus)?  First, let’s take a look at some basic facts about sugar and carbohydrates generally.  Sugar and carbohydrates are related, but they aren’t the same.  Carbohydrates are a macronutrient found in many foods and...

I have seen many patients who complain of either or both derealization and depersonalization. These are dissociative experiences that can occur separately or together, often in response to stress or trauma. They also qualify as “psychotic” symptoms, meaning, these symptoms are characterized by a disconnection from reality. Derealization is a feeling of detachment from one’s...

If you suspect you might have ADHD, consider the following signs: Inattention: Difficulty focusing on tasks, frequently losing things, becoming easily distracted, or making careless mistakes. You might struggle with organizing tasks, forget daily responsibilities, or have trouble following through on instructions. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Restlessness, fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, talking excessively, or acting without...

If a person is very depressed with or without feeling suicidal, there are two methods I recommend to remit these feelings right away:  lithium and ketamine.  Why?  All the antidepressants available (SSRIs, SNRIs, older drugs like tricyclics or MAO-I’s) will take approximately one month to help a person start to feel better.  While some people...