Blog Archive
Erika Thiel, PA-S Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Depression Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disease characterized by recurrent interruptions in airflow that occur while sleeping. These episodes of apnea cause sleep disturbances and oxygen desaturation. OSA and depression present similarly to one another. Both diseases share the symptoms of disturbed...
Miss A R is a 56-year-old woman who survived a massive subdural hematoma last year after falling down the stairs. Despite an emergency craniectomy, the pressure inside her skull had been elevated for so long that she sustained severe injury to her brain tissue and remained in a coma for...
When managing depression pre- and post-pregnancy, the question of whether to stay on antidepressants or discontinue them is very common. Staying on antidepressants may lead to adverse side effects for mom and baby, but discontinuing antidepressants comes with a high risk of depression recurrence. It is important to discuss with...
Agoraphobia Patients with this disorder experience intense anxiety in two or more of the following situations: -Being in open spaces -Being in enclosed spaces -Using public transportation -Being in a crowd or standing in line -Being outside of one’s home alone These situations are either avoided altogether, require the person...
What should the patient expect on the first day of TMS treatment? The first day of TMS treatment involves “mapping” of the brain in order to determine the appropriate amount of stimulation and the specific treatment location on your head. A cap is placed on the patient’s head. Various measurements...
A 50 yo woman with recurrent depression requested to be seen. Patient expressed frustration and loss of trust in the antidepressants due to their lack of efficacy and unacceptable side effects. She stated they made her stoic and felt like she was not her usual self. We offered Esketamine initially...
Despite trial of multiple oral antidepressants, augmentation strategies and psychotheray approximately 1 in 3 patients do not achieve remission in depression. FDA has approved 3 advanced treatment options. They are 1) ECT (elctroconvulsive therapy) 2) Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ( rTMS) and 3) Esketamine (marketed as Spravato) ECT is very...
Depression is a serious health problem. W.H.O declared depression as the #1 cause of disability worldwide. In the United States, 7% of the population is affected. Currently, there are approximately 15 million people with clinical depression in this country. Despite various forms of treatments being available, it remains a significant...
Intranasal Esketamine ( Spravato) is approved by the FDA for Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder. Patients who are still depressed after being treated with at least 2 different antidepressants at an adequate dose and for an adequate period of time are known to have treatment-resistant depression. Spravato is available in the...
What is TMS? Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that uses an electromagnetic current to stimulate brain cells called neurons. What is it used for? TMS is approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for treatment-resistant depression, commonly known as Major Depressive Disorder. This is a kind of...
We provide individual therapy that is customized to your individual needs. The initial session will focus on reviewing your personal history, specific goals and developing a plan on how to effectively approach your concerns and/or goals. We strive to provide you with an environment that allows you to speak freely...
The number of individuals over the age of 65 is rapidly expanding. In 2012, close to 13% of US population consisted of people who were 65 or up. By 2050 it is projected to be about 20%. For many individuals, the passage from youth to old age is reflected by...
Lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric disorder ( mild or serious) in 13-18 years old people in the United States is at 46%. Various anxiety disorders (like Phobias, Generalized anxiety disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders etc) are at the top of the list with 25%...
Abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs is costly to our Nation. According to National Institute on Drug Abuse, it is exacting more than $700 billion annually in costs related to crime, lost work productivity and healthcare.**. Among high school seniors, 23.6 percent report using an illicit drug in the...
Getting older can include a variety of changes and pose a variety of challenges. There are not only physical limitations but other medical health adjustments. Some of these include learning to cope mentally with changes at this stage of life. Our team works with you to help you navigate this life...
Addiction is a condition that can be treated through therapy and does not have to be a process all on your own. The first step to treating addiction is the willingness to decrease use and some may seek complete sobriety. There are physical effects that can occur when stopping substances,...
Couples therapy can be sought out for many reasons: A breakdown in communication patterns Stress from life changes Being in a different stage in the relationship Our approach includes an assessment of which areas in your relationship you’d like to see improvement in and what patterns have changed, the reasons...
It is well known that exercise has numerous benefits including controlling weight, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, strengthening bones and muscles and increasing your chances of living longer. With all the positive physical health benefits we neglect to remember that exercise can also improve a person’s mental health and mood....
Are there times when you have one thought that seems to replay over and over in your mind? Do you find it affects your feelings and sometimes your behavior? You are not alone. Many people have obsessive thoughts. Approximately 2.2 million people have obsessions and it occurs equally in men and...
Psychotherapy is often used either alone or in combination with medications to treat mental illnesses. Called "therapy" for short, the word psychotherapy actually involves a variety of treatment techniques. During psychotherapy, a person with a mental illness talks to a licensed and trained mental health care professional who helps him or her...
It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. it's that some people are ready to change and others are not. James Gordon