“Doing your duty” is one of the top values of the U.S. Army—and that’s exactly what Sandra Lee upheld the weeks after she was raped by a fellow soldier on two occasions while serving in Iraq in 2004. A staff sergeant and member of the civil affairs unit, she was responsible for overseeing the rebuilding of schools for children in Western Baghdad and providing security to a combat engineer unit....
In the United States, access to adequate mental health services is a struggle for many. For example, data from 2019 show that over 13 million adults within the United States navigate “serious mental illness,” or SMI. Serious mental illness typically includes diagnoses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder that can severely limit daily functioning. One in three of people with SMI received no mental health treatment in the year prior to reporting....
About 2% to 3% of Americans are diagnosed with panic disorder every year. It’s also twice as likely to occur in women than in men. If you or someone you love is living with panic disorder, you should know that you are not alone, and there’s a ton of information and resources on the condition that can make living with it more manageable. Emotional Having a panic attack can take quite an emotional toll on you....
PHQ-9 Uses The PHQ-9 is a tool often used for regular depression screenings during primary care visits or checkups. It may also be part of a more comprehensive assessment. For example, it is a required quarterly test as part of the Minimum Data Set that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services require for all nursing home residents. The PHQ-9 may be a part of a complete psychiatric screening process that evaluates all areas of mental health....
Considering the epidemic of prescription drug misuse and addiction and an uptick in deaths due to overdoses around the United States, you may be right to be concerned. What’s more, older and younger age groups could be the most at risk of misusing prescription drugs. Whatever your reason, knowing what some common substances look like can help you determine what the pills in question might be. However, even if you think you’ve successfully identified them, never take pills without being absolutely certain of what they are....
This is known as post-adoption depression or PAD; however, unlike postpartum depression, which has gained awareness over the years, post-adoption depression still remains underrecognized. In fact, Dr. Daramus explains that post-adoption depression isn’t a formal diagnosis like postpartum depression is. While there are some similarities, postpartum depression doesn’t accurately reflect the needs and challenges of adoptive parents, says Dr. Daramus. “A lot more inclusion is needed so that there’s as much information out there on post-adoption depression as there is about postpartum depression....
What Is a Prognosis in Mental Health? People often confuse the terms prognosis and diagnosis. The difference between the two is that while a prognosis is a guess as to the outcome of treatment, a diagnosis is actually identifying the problem and giving it a name. Simply put, a prognosis is a prediction, whereas a diagnosis states what’s already there. When making a prognosis, healthcare professionals are trying to predict:...
Learning about our body’s natural response to threat and danger can help us better understand the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Difference Between Anxiety and Fear Before we discuss what happens in the fight or flight syndrome, it is important to first discuss the difference between fear and anxiety. Fear is the emotion you experience when you are actually in a dangerous situation. Anxiety is what you experience leading up to a dangerous, stressful, or threatening situation....
On 9/11, the United States was faced with one of its greatest tragedies. Many people were directly exposed to this massive traumatic event. Others were indirectly exposed through the extensive television coverage and/or stories from survivors of the attacks. As a result of this, many people were put at risk for the development of PTSD. Rates of PTSD After 9/11 Several studies have been published that examined rates of PTSD as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks....
Each color is thought to have its own effect, but the feeling that each color produces can vary based on experience and culture. Like other colors, purple can lead to differing feelings, emotions, and associations. What does the color purple mean? How does the color purple make you feel? People often describe this color as mysterious, spiritual, and imaginative. Purple tends to occur rarely in nature, so it is viewed as rare and intriguing....
Schizophrenia Medications Antipsychotic medications reduce the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, usually allowing a person to function more effectively and appropriately. The first generation of antipsychotic medications, known as “typical antipsychotics,” were introduced in the 1950s to treat psychosis. Antipsychotic drugs are the best treatment for schizophrenia right now, but they don’t cure schizophrenia or ensure that there will be no further psychotic episodes. Dosages The choice and dosage of medication can be made only by a qualified physician who is well trained in the medical treatment of mental disorders....
An American College of Cardiology study, which is set to be presented at the organization’s 70th Annual Scientific Session later this month, evaluated the health outcomes of nearly 300 young adult and middle-age heart attack survivors. The results showed that those with high distress levels experienced more than double the risk of another serious heart problem within five years, compared with participants with lower distress. Here’s what the research showed about the role of mental health in heart attack recovery, along with ways survivors can reduce their stress levels....
While some amount of stress may be motivating, chronic stress can lead to a slew of mental and physical issues that can impact your overall quality of life. Because men and women may react to and process stress differently, it’s important to recognize the symptoms in men so they can manage stress effectively. Physical Stress Symptoms in Men In general, stress can be experienced physically and psychologically, with both expressions of stress having an interrelated relationship....
The symptoms of ADHD are broadly classified into two categories: Symptoms of inattentionSymptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity This article explores the symptoms of adult ADHD, as well as the diagnostic criteria for this condition. Symptoms of Inattention These are some of the symptoms of inattention that people with ADHD may display: Difficulty concentrating on tasks such as work assignments or chores Strong dislike or avoidance of tasks that require applying mental effort for a long period of time, such as creating reports, filling out forms, or reviewing paperwork Forgetfulness, which can result in unpaid bills, missed appointments, and unreturned calls Tendency to lose or misplace things, such as wallet, keys, or phone Lack of attention to detail, resulting in careless mistakes Tendency to get distracted easily by unrelated factors Failure to complete tasks before starting new ones Poor organization and time management skills Difficulty listening to others and following through on instructions...
Dexedrine is a brand name for a drug that is composed completely of dextroamphetamine. It is available in tablets and as capsules called Dexedrine Spansule. Dexedrine tablets are short-acting and are effective for about four to six hours. They are usually taken two or three times per day. Dexedrine Spansule is extended-release, and so is typically effective for eight to 12 hours. When a capsule is taken, a first dose is released promptly, and the remaining medication is released gradually....
Overview Underage drinking began a steep decline back in the 1980s when Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which required states to raise the age for legal purchase and possession of alcohol to 21 by October 1986 or lose 10% of their federal highway funds. By 1988, all 50 states and the District of Columbia had adopted 21 as the minimum drinking age, setting off a steady decline in underage drinking rates among 8th, 10th and 12th-grade students that continues today....
Known for its steady and consistent hum, white noise creates a sound wall that can mask other stimulating disturbances. According to one study, people who listened to the equal frequency of white noise experienced a 38 percent reduction in the time it took them to fall asleep. Researchers also believe that white noise and nature-based sounds can help with anxiety reduction, nighttime agitation, and quantity of sleep—noting that obtrusive noises are a leading cause of sleep disorders....
