October 2, 2014
by Marti Wormuth, MA
Medication is one of those hot topics that some people really don't like to talk about if they don't have to. Because of this, they find that it's really difficult to see why someone may need medication. Millions of people around the world take some sort of medication for mental illness, so if this is something that has come up with your psychiatrist or another mental health professional, it's nothing to be ashamed of.
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September 9, 2014
by Marti Wormuth, MA
If you've looked at the news lately, you've likely noticed that there is a lot going on in the world of mental health. It can be hard to understand, especially if it's not something that you're used to seeing, but in recent years it has become obvious that mental health issues are more prevalent in the United States than in any other country on the planet. Why is this the case? What is so different about the United States that it seems to be "that much worse" when it comes to mental health struggles?
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September 3, 2014
by Cathy England, MA
Bipolar Disorder was commonly referred to as Manic Depressive Disorder, and is a mental illness that is characterized by extreme changes in mood from very high or manic, and very low or depressed. It is considered to be one of the more disabling disorders especially when it goes untreated. During manic phases, people can be self-destructive and impulsive which can be difficult for others to deal with. Also during a manic phase, many people living with this illness are likely to “feel great” and might become non-compliant with the treatment that keeps them more stable.
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August 25, 2014
by Dr. DeeAnn Visk
What is the best way to help children from aged five to eight with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? A recent study from Bradley Hospital in Rhode Island offers an interesting insight. Researcher there found that family-based cognitive behavioral therapy is beneficial. They found that developmentally sensitive family-based treatment that included exposure/response prevention was more effective in reducing OCD symptoms and functional impairment in this age group when compared to a structured relaxation program.
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August 23, 2014
by Cathy England, MA
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) was formerly known as multiple personality disorder, and remains to this day as one of the most controversial and misunderstood disorders in the Diagnostic Manual. It is a difficult diagnosis to make, and often is more difficult to treat. It has been the topic of many Hollywood productions which gives laypeople an idea that they understand what it is, but as is often the case in movies and media, there is some sensationalism that occurs. It is not a common diagnosis and is only one of the classified dissociative disorders.
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August 2, 2014
by Dr. DeeAnn Visk
The classic sign of Schizophrenia is hearing voices that other people don’t hear. Schizophrenics may believe that others are reading their mind, controlling their thought, or plotting to harm them. Conversations with schizophrenics may not make a lot of sense. Because schizophrenics may sit for hours without moving or talking they may seem fine until they relate what they are thinking. Schizophrenia is a life-long debilitating disease that affects about 1% of all Americans.
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