Psychiatry Associates Blog

Based on the representations presented in movies and television, it would seem safe to assume that eating disorders nearly always come in the form of anorexia or bulimia.  Undeniably, these are awful diseases with which to contend, wreaking both emotional and physical havoc on their sufferers.  However, you may be surprised to learn that neither of these represent the most common eating disorder in America.  That distinction goes to binge eating disorder (BED).

It isn’t uncommon to feel anxious or overwhelmed from time to time.  However, for roughly 18 percent of American adults, anxiety goes beyond the norm and can be classified as a disorder.  Among the most common types of anxiety disorders are phobias, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.  However, for 2.7% of the population, even this level of anxiety occasionally crosses the line into panic.

It’s the season of cheer and joyful anticipation, but if you struggle with stress and anxiety, visions of sugarplums may be the furthest thing from your mind. While those feelings may make you feel alone and stressed around this time of year, it's important to understand that many people feel this way and that there are steps you can take to alleviate your anxiety.  Here are a few to try:

Sometimes, sources of anxiety or stress are fleeting, offering the promise of a reprieve in a matter of days, weeks, or even months.  While the struggle may feel endless, we often ultimately realize that there is an end in sight.  However, when it comes to living and managing day-to-day life with a chronic illness, there may be no such promise ahead.   As a result, chronic diseases can have a drastic impact on not only a patient’s physical health, but on their mental health as well.  In fact, as many as one-third of those diagnosed with a chronic illness will also experience symptoms of depression.

The loss of a loved one is difficult at any time, but the holidays can be particularly hard.  Family and friends move into center focus this time of year as we gather around the dinner table or the Christmas tree to celebrate.  Meanwhile, holiday music, decorations, movies, and music all serve as unavoidable reminders of exactly how different this year will be to those past.

The term “narcissist” is tossed around regularly.  We often hear it used to describe someone’s ex, their boss, celebrities, or politicians.  But, is it likely that all of these individuals are truly suffering from narcissistic personality disorder?  What amount of appreciation for one’s self is healthy and appropriate, and at which point does it cross a line into problematic?  Let’s dive into some of the specifics regarding this personality trait and how to tell when it can no longer be classified as normal.

Mental illness comes in many different forms and affects as many as 1 in 5 Americans.  These disorders can occur alone, but they often coincide with other mental health problems and can result in a wide range of complications from substance abuse to suicide.  Here are just a few of the most telling and important statistics regarding mental health in America:

Everyone is familiar with the concept of depression, and many have experienced it firsthand.  Estimates state that as many as 15 percent of adults will suffer from depression at some point in their lives.  Still, despite its prevalence, there is a lot about depression that many do not understand.  When, how, and why depression strikes can look vastly different from one patient to the next, largely based on the specific type they are battling.  Unbeknownst to a large portion of Americans, there are actually several forms of depression outside of the well-known Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), including the following five.

Watching your child struggle and feeling unable to help them is among the most heartbreaking experiences any parent endures, but it’s a feeling that every parent is sure to encounter at some point.  It may be the loss of a loved one, a breakup, or a dream that is dashed.  However, despite how difficult they may be to witness, most parents understand that these types of problems will improve given time.  In the case of mental health disorders, there often is no such silver lining.  When problems like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) arise in children, parents may not understand the condition or how to address it, finding themselves in completely uncharted territory.

Parents are often heard lamenting the approach of their child’s teen years, as they envision sullen, defiant children who are attempting to find their own identities and separate themselves from their parents.  Undoubtedly, a certain level of defiance is to be expected from children, particularly during these formative years.  However, there are instances in which parents find their teen’s behavior to be so extreme that they wonder if the line of developmentally normal rebellion has been crossed.  Determining whether or not a child’s behavior is cause for deeper investigation with a medical professional is never easy, but there are some signs that parents can watch for.