This year, November 19 is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. This day is set aside to remember those lost to suicide and support those struggling with mental health or addiction. Suicide is a global problem that touches everyone in one way or another. In 2020, there were 1.2 million suicide attempts in the United…
Medication management is a comprehensive treatment approach that supports people in getting the most out of whatever medications they are on. It can be applied in a wide variety of settings. For example, medication management can be implemented in elderly folks with a wide range of medical issues just as readily as with someone who…
Medications are common for treating a host of health issues. Moreover, many people require multiple medications at once to manage their disease or disorder. This is particularly true for the elderly population, which is naturally at risk of more complications as their bodies and minds age. Medication management is the process of coordinating prescription and…
Harm reduction is any set of programs, policies, or initiatives that seek to reduce harm related to substance abuse and addiction. While its application remains largely in the addiction field, mental healthcare providers are beginning to apply harm reduction principles to depression and self-harm. The framework remains the same where the point is not the…
If you are struggling with a drug disorder, you might also be struggling with a mental health disorder. It is common to develop depression or anxiety when you are using drugs, as they can severely hinder your mental health. When it comes to treatment, you may need to consider getting care for more than one…
Addiction can feel very isolating, especially if you have difficulty finding a good support system to help you on your recovery journey. Many people end up removing themselves from their friends and family, which is both lonely and dangerous. Therapy can help you work through all of your problems and gain the tools needed to…
If you struggle with anxiety, one of the best things you can do to help manage the symptoms is to join a therapy program. Whether you do individual therapy or a group program, you will gain great tools for helping your mental health. In some cases, however, physically going to a therapy session can increase…
Whether you are celebrating, socializing, or just relaxing, there is a good chance that alcohol is involved. It can make you feel happy and more relaxed to have an alcoholic drink, especially when joined with others. However, the effects of too much alcohol consumption can be harmful to your physical health and your mental health.…
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th edition (DSM), is clinicians’ tool to form a diagnosis. I have seen plenty of DSM labels stacked together when encountering new patients. They say: I have ADD, PTSD, MDD, BPD, Bipolar and SAD. This tells me more about our current diagnostic system and how it…
This is a big question for patients. It speaks to individual and societal expectations that we collectively heap onto medications. We see advertisements with happier faces after taking a specific drug, that we should “Talk to your doctor about.” We know of people who are taking antianxiety and antidepressant medications for mental health symptoms ranging…