5 Antidepressant Medication Myths
1. Antidepressants are “addictive”.False. Antidepressants are not addictive in the way that most people would use the word. You don’t “crave” your antidepressant. However, the medicine that gets introduced to your central nervous system becomes something your body recognizes each day. So stopping medication without the guidance from a professional can cause your body to react to the loss of these neurotransmitters. This experience, called discontinuation syndrome, can be avoided completely when proper dosage-stopping is monitored.2. Antidepressants are “happy pills.”False. Antidepressants are not "uppers...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - January 26, 2016 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: depression medication Source Type: blogs
January is National Mentoring Month
(Source: Dr. Deborah Serani)
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - January 4, 2016 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: awareness days positive psychology well-being. Source Type: blogs
Tips for Kicking Post-Holiday Blues
As the holiday season comes to an end, so, too, does the high octane way you've planned, shopped, traveled, and socialized.The holiday momentum of go, go, go screeches to a grinding halt. Problem is, all the neurochemistry you needed to help you get through the holidays - stress hormones called cortisol and adrenaline – are leaving you feeling burned out, irritable, and just plain cranky.Maybe your hopes for holidays with family and friends were unmet, and you now have to deal with emotional let-down.Or maybe the march of the holiday bills is on its way -and thinking about paying the piper is not only depleting you...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - December 26, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: mental health well-being Source Type: blogs
The Holidays and Depression
Take a listen to this terrific radio show devoted to understanding how the holiday season ramps up depression.Join me, psychologist Dr. Steven J. Hanley, and author Christopher Scott Downing as host Dr. Suzanne Phillips explores the kinds of stressful issues that happen during the holiday season. (Source: Dr. Deborah Serani)
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - December 4, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: anxiety awareness days depression stress well-being Source Type: blogs
Understanding " Disaster Reactions "
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Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - November 14, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: anxiety depression mental health trauma Source Type: blogs
Understanding "Disaster Reactions"
When news of a disaster hits, it can cause suffering not only to those at ground zero, but others who witness the aftermath.Watching a traumatic event unfold on television, radio, the internet or social media sets into motion a variety of psychological reactions, called Disaster Reactions. These psychological reactions have physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral presentations. The list below shows you some of the many kinds of experiences children, teens and adults can have. Psychological Reactions• Anger• Anxiety• Apathy, diminished interest in usual activities• Appetite change• Avoidance...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - November 14, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: anxiety depression mental health trauma Source Type: blogs
November is Family Caregivers Month
November is National Family Caregivers Month, honoring all those who care for loved ones with physical and mental health issues. Here are some statistics for caregivers: There are more than 65 million people in the US alone who spend an average of 20 hours a week caring for a loved one.1.4 million children ages 8 to 18 provide care for an adult relative.Approximately 66% of family caregivers are women. 14% of family caregivers care for a special needs child with an estimated 16.8 million caring for special needs children under 18 years old. Stress of family caregiving for p...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - November 6, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: awareness days well-being. Source Type: blogs
Mental Illness Stigma and Halloween
Halloween is one of the oldest recorded observances.The tradition started over two thousand years ago with The Celts, who believed that the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred on October 31st. On that "Hallow's Eve" they built bonfires and wore ghostly costumes to drive the evil spirits away. Some carried a lantern crafted out of potato or turnip to intimidate the demons around them.The National Alliance For Mental Illness reminds us that not only is it the season for ghosts and goblins, but also stigma. Costumes and seasonal attractions that feature psychos, mental patients, and insa...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - October 28, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: stigma Source Type: blogs
5 Late Life Depression Myths Everyone Should Know
Late Life Depression, clinically called geriatric depression, affects an estimated 15% of Americans ages 65 and older. The World Health Organization estimates that late life depression effects 7% of older people worldwide. Given their advanced age, many mistake this mood disorder for other conditions associated with getting older like memory loss, muscle/joint weakness or side effects from medications. As a result, upwards of 90% of seniors don’t receive adequate care, with 78% not receiving any treatment at all.Learning the myths that surround geriatric depression can help you identify it in yourself or a loved one. Rem...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - October 10, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: depression mental health treatment world mental health day Source Type: blogs
Are You Medicine Smart?
If you're someone who takes over the counter medications or prescription medicines, you need to become medicine smart. What does this mean? For starters, you should know what your medications are ... but also what they are treating, why a particular one has been chosen uniquely for you and how to use them. According to The National Council on Patient Information and Education, here are the most important things to know: 1. What is the name of the medicine and what is it for? Is this the brand name or the generic name? 2. Is a generic version of this medicine available? If so, it may be more cost effect...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - September 16, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: treatment Source Type: blogs
World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10th
Every 40 seconds someone dies by suicide. Every 41 seconds someone's left to make sense of it.That's over 1 million people who die by suicide each year. And millions more who grieve and mourn the loss of their loved one.Suicide is THE most preventable kind of death. Education, resources, intervention and outreach can help children and adults who struggle with staggering sadness, hopelessness and despair.World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10th sponsored by The International Association for Suicide Prevention, The World Health Organization, The United Nations and many more grass root health organiz...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - September 4, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: awareness days depression suicide treatment Source Type: blogs
The Benefits of Sarcasm
From the Greek and Latin for “to tear flesh,” the word sarcasm has been defined as “hostility disguised as humor,” the contempt-laden speech favored by smart alecks and mean girls that’s best to avoid.But new research by out of Harvard University finds that sarcasm is far more nuanced, and actually offers some important, overlooked psychological and organizational benefits. Sarcasm has been shown to increase creativity for both expressers and recipients. Sarcasm also enhances problem solving. Using edgy forms of humor has long been an interest of the Association for Applied and...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - August 13, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: fun neuroscience well-being. Source Type: blogs
Facebook and Depression
Facebook is the millennium’s new water cooler. Though virtual in its design, it serves as a way for us to catch up on the latest trends, share milestones, learn about juicy gossip, or live vicariously through the experience of others. And not only is it a way to keep up with the Joneses, but it’s a way to keep track of the Joneses. Facebook provides us with social capital – and these valuable social experiences make us feel connected. But bear in mind that not everyone feels Facebook is an upbeat and pleasing social past time. Reading stories or viewing photos of friends’ activities could cause a user to ...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - July 13, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: depression mental health trends well-being. Source Type: blogs
Coming Out Proud to Erase the Stigma of Mental Illness
The new groundbreaking book Coming Out Proud to Erase the Stigma of Mental Illness: Stories and Essays of Solidarity edited by Patrick W. Corrigan, Jon E. Larson, and Patrick J. Michaels has just been released.This book is a collection of personal reflections by people with mental illness, telling their stories of coming out and the lessons they learned from their journey. Included are diverse stories from people all around the world, comprising of people from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.Research states that one of the most effective ways to erase publi...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - June 2, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: stigma well-being. Source Type: blogs
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Logo by Counseling@NorthwesternThe designation of Mental Health Awareness Month was created more than 65 years ago by Mental Health America to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness and promoting good mental health for all. During Mental Health Awareness Month professionals, organizations, schools, communities, hospitals and even media outlets will join together in an effort to raise the awareness about mental health and attempt to decrease the stigma that prevents people from getting the help they need. If you have a mental illness or lo...
Source: Dr. Deborah Serani - May 5, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: awareness days mental health treatment well-being. Source Type: blogs
