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Uses, Forms, and Levels Depakote is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mania, with or without psychotic features. It’s also approved to prevent migraines and treat epilepsy and is frequently prescribed for people who have hypomania. Like other medications, Depakote is sometimes prescribed off-label for other conditions as well. This drug is available in a variety of forms and dosages, including capsules, sprinkles, extended-release tablets, delayed-release tablets, and syrup....

Published in Molecular Psychiatry, the findings come after decades of scrutinizing existing meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Researchers suggest that depression is not likely caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, and challenge the role of antidepressants as the first line of treatment. “For decades people have been given the impression that the idea that depression is caused by low serotonin is an established scientific fact,” says lead author Professor Joanna Moncrieff, a Professor of Psychiatry at UCL....

Inequities based on race, geographic location, gender, and sexual orientation, among others, can all impact longevity fitness, according to the report, which is the third in a series from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). Employers can help play a role in the cultural shift necessary to address problems like systemic racism, sexism and the gender wage gap, and anti-LGBTQ sentiment—but their efforts have to go further than mandatory diversity training, the report says....

Does health insurance cover the cost of therapy? The short answer is: it depends. Most plans in the United States cover mental health similarly to how they cover other medical costs, meaning that sessions could be billed with a co-pay or go toward your deductible. So, what do you need to know about health insurance when it comes to paying for therapy? What Kind of Insurance Plan Do You Have?...

What Is Rosemary? First, it’s important to understand what rosemary is. Rosemary (scientific name: rosmarinus officinalis) is an herb with needle-like leaves. It’s a perennial, meaning that once you plant it, it should re-grow every year when the whether is warm enough for it to do so. Rosemary is often used as a spice in food, including soups, stew, meat, chicken, fish and other Mediterranean food, and it has a somewhat bitter flavor....

If you or a loved one have a dual diagnosis, you’re not alone. In 2020, 17 million adults in the United States experienced a mental health condition along with a substance use disorder. Having a dual diagnosis often isn’t a coincidence. “Mental illness is about twice as prevalent in people diagnosed with an addiction,” says Dr. Cavallo. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that approximately half the people who experience a substance use disorder also experience a mental illness at some point during their lifetime, and vice versa....

This phobia is often seen in a person who has been in a serious or near-fatal accident in the past. In some cases, the phobia can be triggered by an accident involving someone else, such as a friend or family member. It is similar to amaxophobia, or the fear of driving, which often results from a past accident-related trauma and, in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dystychiphobia encompasses a fear of all forms of physical accidents, including those that occur in the home, the workplace, public spaces, and roadways....

Dissociative drugs also alter the actions of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that produces the feeling of euphoria associated with drug abuse. While also classified as a dissociative drug, salvia divinorum affects the brain differently. It works by activating the kappa opioid receptor on nerve cells. This is a different set of receptors from the ones that are activated by opiates like morphine and heroin. Short-Term Effects of Dissociative Drugs Users of dissociative drugs report visual and auditory distortions and a sense of floating....

What Is Emotional Resilience? Emotional resilience refers to one’s ability to adapt to stressful situations or crises. More resilient people are able to “roll with the punches” and adapt to adversity without lasting difficulties; less resilient people have a harder time with stress and life changes, both major and minor. What Influences Emotional Resilience? Emotional and physical resilience is, to a degree, something you’re born with. Some people, by nature, are less upset by changes and surprises – this can be observed in infancy and tends to be stable throughout one’s lifetime....

Friday Fix: Episode 223 A decade ago, the idea of meeting with a therapist online seemed too far-fetched for many people. There were concerns about everything from privacy to credibility. And it’s no wonder why. Some online therapy sites take insurance. Others offer subscription services. Some sites allow you to message a therapist throughout the day, while others offer video appointments only. It’s tough to sort through all the options, especially when you’re stressed out, battling depression, or feeling extremely anxious....

It’s amazing how vacuuming the floor, cleaning up the kitchen, and straightening up clutter can improve your mood. Although you won’t feel like doing anything when you’re depressed, sometimes it’s helpful to push yourself to get active anyway. Accomplishing a few chores might give your mood a boost when you’re feeling depressed. Rinse and put the dishes in the dishwasher right away rather than let the dishes stack upGet in the habit of sorting your mail and organizing what you need to keep....

Friday Fix: Episode 198 There are many ways to treat depression—medication, individual therapy, group therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation to name a few. But, there are also lifestyle changes that can sometimes provide effective relief from symptoms. Something as simple as growing a garden can sometimes be an effective way to improve mood and reduce stress. From working in community gardens to growing plants at home, being in nature, getting physical activity, and working toward a goal is good for mental health....

Fromm believed that character is something that stems both from our genetic inheritance and from our learning experiences. Some aspects of our character are hereditary. Other aspects stem from what we learn at home, from school, and from society. And of course, there is the interplay between the two influences. Fromm also believed that character is something deeply ingrained and difficult to change. However, being aware of our tendencies and being committed to change can help inspire change....

Although a group setting can initially be intimidating, there are actually many benefits to participating in OCD group therapy. There are also things that you can do to make sure you are getting the most out of group therapy. Group Therapy Is Effective The effectiveness of group versus individual CBT for OCD has been the subject of much scientific investigation. Overall, clinical research suggests that group CBT for OCD is just as effective as individual CBT for the treatment of OCD symptoms in both adults and adolescents....

But sometimes, these flashbacks can be intense, unpleasant, and frequent, even if the person experiencing them is currently abstaining from drug use. Flashbacks that continue to occur after the original drug effects have worn off are a medically recognized phenomenon, which is documented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (flashbacks). Symptoms A drug-related flashback is the sensation of re-experiencing the effects of a drug after the true effects of the drug have worn off....

Fear of Skin Cancer In some cases, heliophobia is actually a type of health anxiety. Skin cancer is a very real risk from overexposure to the sun. In recent years, it has been heavily covered in the media. People suffering from hypochondriasis or nosophobia may develop symptoms of heliophobia, believing that minimizing their exposure to the sun will minimize their chances of developing skin cancer. Likewise, those who have been treated for skin cancer, or know someone who has, may be at increased risk for heliophobia....