Are psychiatric meds the death of genius? The Van Gogh myth says yes — but the evidence, my own experience, and the tragic artist suicide roll call say otherwise. Before you ditch your prescription in search of a masterpiece, read this hard-hitting reality check.
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We’ve long known that diet plays a role in depression, but new research is uncovering just how powerful that connection really is. From high-sodium foods increasing depression risk to the surprising effects of the Mediterranean and keto diets, here’s what the latest science says about how what you eat affects your mood.
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People love to promise miracle cures for bipolar disorder — herbs, supplements, religion, and more. But anyone claiming to have ‘the answer’ is either misled or selling something. This post tackles the dangers of false hope, profit-driven cures, and why scientific treatment is the only real path forward.
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Should doctors be allowed to medicate people with mental illness without their consent? This controversial topic sparks debate, but in emergency situations, what are the real options? Explore the ethical and practical considerations of psychiatric treatment without consent and why it might be necessary for patient safety.
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What do you do when therapy and medication don’t work? This guest writer spent years battling depression and anxiety, searching for relief that never seemed to come. In this personal story, he shares his journey through treatment-resistant mental illness — the frustration, the hopelessness, and the unexpected places he found support. If you’ve ever felt like giving up, this article is for you.
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Anosognosia, a clinical lack of insight, affects up to 50% of people with bipolar disorder, leaving them unable to recognize their illness. This symptom can devastate not only those with bipolar disorder but also their loved ones. Discover why this happens, how it impacts treatment, and what you can do to help someone who doesn’t believe they’re unwell.
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Looking for a more affordable alternative to ketamine for treatment-resistant depression? Discover how dextromethorphan/bupropion offers new hope. This article breaks down the differences between ketamine and dextromethorphan, their effectiveness, and how these antidepressants work. If you’ve struggled with depression treatments or face challenges accessing expensive therapies like ketamine, this guide might offer the answers you’ve been searching for. Dive in to learn more about this innovative approach.
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It can be difficult to know how to advocate for yourself in a doctor’s appointment. I’ve been faced with this for years, and I still sometimes find it difficult. However, forming a patient-doctor alliance where you work together is part of a comprehensive wellness plan. In order to participate in this, you must be able to advocate for your own needs and wants. Here’s how to advocate for yourself in a doctor’s appointment.
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Because of the black box warnings (also known as boxed warnings) on antidepressants, many people think that antidepressants cause suicidal thinking, suicidal behavior, and suicide. The black box warning on antidepressants is, after all, the strongest warning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can place on a medication. However, the black box warning on antidepressants was authored almost 20 years ago, and we have learned a lot and have synthesized a lot of data since then. Does this more recent data indicate that antidepressants increase suicidality or cause suicides, and what can we learn from this new information? Should we be scared of the risk of suicidality with antidepressants? (TL;DR here.)
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