Psychiatry Associates Blog

The school year has a certain rhythm that most families eventually fall into.  By and large, both parents and children know what to expect from each day with a consistent routine, and while the long, lazy days of summer hold a special appeal, they also mark a drastic shift in day-to-day life.  Determining how to navigate change can be difficult for many families, particularly those who have a child who has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The general public has become increasingly aware of autism over the past few years.  Today, we know that as many as 1 in 68 newborns will eventually be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and as research continues to expand, so too does our understanding of how to best help these children.

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding schizophrenia.  Those who are unfamiliar with the condition often incorrectly believe its sufferers have split personalities or a tendency to be violent.  In reality, however, these individuals do not have secondary personalities and are more likely to be the victims of violence than its perpetrators.  Likewise, many believe that all cases of schizophrenia are largely the same, but each case has its own distinguishing factors.

Picture someone who is depressed.  What do you see?  You may envision someone who looks tired and unkempt.  Perhaps they are crying and struggling to get out of bed.  This is the image of depression that has been projected for decades.  Depression is supposed to be a major disruption of someone’s life, a drastic shift from who they normally are, right?  In the case of major depressive disorder or a depressive phase of bipolar disorder, these images may be somewhat accurate.  However, depression is a chameleon, and it can look and feel different in nearly every individual.  In some cases, this means that spotting the signs of depression is far more difficult than we would like to believe.

As children grow, so too do the concerns of parents, and as they enter the tween and teen years, you will likely look back fondly on the days when picky eating was your biggest worry.  Undoubtedly, the hormonal, emotional, and social hazards that can hang over the middle school and high school years are a far more slippery slope than potty training ever was.  Of course, today’s parents also have the added element of social media to contend with, a fact that only compounds frustration and can leave you feeling in the dark when it comes to your own child’s daily life.

For those suffering from bipolar disorder, much of what they perceive about the world around them depends on whether they are in a manic or depressive phase or somewhere entirely in between.  Striking a balance between these two extremes and the problems that may arise from each makes living a seemingly normal life exceptionally challenging, particularly when the condition is not being effectively treated.  Fortunately, psychiatrists are more familiar with the condition and how to best treat it than ever before.  Today, those living with bipolar disorder are finding that the right doctor and the right treatment protocol allows them to live day-to-day lives that are largely untouched by the disease.

Increasingly, more and more aspects of healthcare have been shifted online.  You likely notice more electronic charting and fewer handwritten notes when visiting with your primary care physician.  You may use a portal to message them, keep up with appointments, request prescription refills or get test results.  As, this shift toward technology continues, the benefits are becoming more obvious.  Digital records mean easier access and ease of communication between various members of your healthcare team, and for a growing number of patients, it means having the ability to visit with a physician through virtual appointments.

In the past decade, America’s love affair with alcohol has experienced a resurgence of sorts.  With the mainstream acceptance of a nightly glass of wine or two and the spike in hobbies such as craft beer brewing, it may seem that more and more of our peers are drinking (and drinking far more frequently) than ever before.  And, recent statistical research regarding alcohol consumption in America supports these sentiments.

In these early months of the new year, many are focused on ways to improve.  Resolutions to get fit or better manage money consistently top the list of priorities, year after year.  And, while these are great goals to set, there are others which may have a more significant impact on overall wellbeing.  Resolutions that aim to improve mental health, for instance, will not only leave you feeling better, they may also make achieving your other goals more easily.  Ready to get started?  Here are four small goals that are a great way to kick start big change: