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What are the Signs and Symptoms of Lithium Toxicity?
Lithium toxicity is a serious condition in which there's too much lithium in your blood. The question is, how do you know you have lithium toxicity? This article highlights signs and symptoms of lithium toxicity
May 3rd, 2023

Can stress during pregnancy lead to postpartum depression?
Can stress during pregnancy lead to postpartum depression? This question is fundamental as it can help us uncover risk factors for postpartum depression, consequently allowing us to buffer against it before it gets the chance to occur after childbirth.
Apr 27th, 2023

Depression and gut bacteria: how gut health affects your mood
Researchers have recently discovered how gut health can impact mental health. There is an intestinal immune cell that impacts the gut microbiota (total microorganism in the gut), which consequently affects brain functions associated with stress-induced beh
Mar 22nd, 2023

Children's mental health is declining: here's why
A new study suggests that the rise in mental health problems in school-aged children and teens is associated with a decline in opportunities for them to engage in independent play unsupervised by adults.
Mar 13th, 2023

New Blood Test for Detecting Anxiety Discovered
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have developed a new blood test that can objectively determine a person's risk for developing anxiety, the severity of their current anxiety, and which therapies would work best for them.
Mar 11th, 2023

What Are the Long Term Side Effects of Lithium Use?
Like almost every other medication, it's not all rosy with lithium. It, too, has its side effects. But the good news is, you can significantly reduce the risks of side effects of lithium by using the drug in subtherapeutic doses.
Feb 24th, 2023

Lithium and Mental Health: A Miracle in the Form of a Drug
Lithium is a power-packed medication for mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder, and an incredible solution for people with suicidal ideation. Lithium protects neurons in the brain, slows down aging, and may prevent Dementia.
Feb 7th, 2023

Acts Of Kindness: An Easy Way Out Of Depression
Did you know that showing kindness to others can help you out of depression? It may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s true. Researchers have found that depressed people who showed kindness experienced improvements that other known depression and anxiety man
Jan 30th, 2023

Chronic stress can cause inability to feel pleasure: here's how
When under chronic stress, POMC neurons in the brain are activated, resulting in anhedonia, which is the inability to feel pleasure, as well as despair, which is essentially depression. In humans, this can result in lower libido and reluctance to interact
Jan 26th, 2023

Clonidine: the blood pressure drug that can prevent PTSD
In line with the recent trend of repurposing drugs for other illnesses, clonidine seems to be the latest surprise. Researchers have found that clonidine, a drug used for high blood pressure and ADHD, can be very effective in preventing PTSD symptoms
Jan 20th, 2023

Social Support Can Be Key To Preventing Depression
When things get tough, it's always a good idea to reach out to someone for support. But did you know that social support can be especially crucial for those who are genetically predisposed to depression?
Jan 16th, 2023

The Role of Pharmacogenetic Testing in Psychiatry
Pharmacogenetic testing (or pharmacogenomics) can help psychiatrists select the right antipsychotic drugs for each patient based on their genetic makeup. This can lead to better and faster recovery from mental health issues.
Jan 15th, 2023

The Role Of Metformin In Treating Psychiatric Illnesses
Metformin is a diabetes drug that researchers are now studying its use in psychiatry. So far, studies have been able to show metformin's effects in managing psychiatric issues like bipolar depression, antipsychotic-induced weight gain, and schizophrenia.
Jan 9th, 2023

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Mental Health
Looking for some New Year's resolutions for 2023? Maybe this is the year to give more priority to your mental health. Because, think about it, there's nothing more important than putting your health first.
Dec 27th, 2022

Telehealth Keeps Mental Health Patients on the Road to Recovery
Due to how telehealth made life easier, opioid addiction patients are now more likely to continue medication-based treatment. This includes patients who are black, elderly, or lacked stable housing, demographics who are less likely to afford quality health
Dec 13th, 2022

How virtual reality helps with addiction recovery
Virtual reality can aid addiction recovery by lowering the risk of relapse and encouraging patients to connect with their future selves. When a patient interacts with their healthy future self, they become less inclined to use harmful substances again
Dec 6th, 2022

PTSD and alcohol use disorder: breaking the link
There is a link between PTSD and alcohol addiction. While some patients depend on alcohol to soothe their traumatic memories, there is a protein in the brain that plays a role in both mental disorders.
Nov 21st, 2022

Babies with low birth weight at risk of mental health problems
A recent study has found that babies with low birth weights are more at risk of developing mental disorders like depression and anxiety in their childhood and teenage years. On the other hand, babies with larger birth weights are less likely to develop a m
Nov 14th, 2022

PTSD patients can benefit from Blue light therapy
Poor quality sleep usually inhibits the effectiveness of PTSD treatments. And when the treatment isn't effective, the symptoms (including anxiety) remain the same, contributing further to sleep problems. This leads to a vicious cycle. Blue light can help
Nov 7th, 2022

What to do when you can't sleep
Having trouble falling asleep? That can be very annoying, especially when you're bored. Luckily, there are things you could do to help you fall asleep faster, such as breathing techniques and creating a relaxing environment.
Nov 1st, 2022

Lost Boys: How Societal Pressures Can Ruin Lives
Just as society systematically pressures young people into a particular thought process, the public, media houses, and online forums must speak up and inform these young ones of what's truly right and wrong
Oct 28th, 2022

The cause of postpartum depression found at last
Experts have always thought the risk factors for postpartum depression are the mother's age, diabetes, and history of mental illness. But a new study has found that the cause of postpartum depression is strongly linked to a deficiency in the body's ability
Oct 20th, 2022

Low alcohol use can lead to addiction
According to a recent study on rodents, even the smallest amounts of alcohol activate the part of the brain associated with the development of addiction. So when you take a sip of alcohol, you inadvertently prepare your brain for alcohol use disorder.
Oct 18th, 2022

Sound can suppress pain: new research shows how
A new study has identified how sound blunts pain. Using state-of-the-art brain imaging, an international team of researchers has discovered the neural mechanism through which sound numbs pain. lower volumes were more effective than loud music
Aug 25th, 2022

How to talk to a loved one about their mental health
Indeed, talking to your loved one about their mental health can make a whole world of difference. But you may feel like you don’t know the right thing to say, or even worse, you may be scared of saying something wrong. However, learning how to talk to some
Aug 15th, 2022

How to tell someone about your mental health issues
To talk to someone about your mental health challenges, set aside some free time (at least 30-60 minutes) when neither of you would have to take care of other obligations. You can start with a text message or social media if a face-to-face conversation is
Aug 12th, 2022

Dealing with Sleep Problems: What to Do When You Can't Sleep
Sleeping problems may result from stress, worry, noise, interruptions, or even prolonged screen time at night. Sleep problems usually resolve on their own within a month, but if they go on for long and interfere with your daily life, they may indicate a s
Aug 2nd, 2022

Sleeping together can help you sleep better
A new study has discovered a link between sleeping together, better sleep, and mental health. People who sleep together (partners, siblings, or friends) tend to sleep better than those who sleep alone. And, of course, quality sleep is key to mental health.
Jul 25th, 2022

How To Deal With Guilt When You Hurt Someone
The feeling of guilt can be horrible. It’s a place none of us wishes to find ourselves. But unfortunately, things happen, and it’s not uncommon to discover we’ve hurt someone so terribly that we become trapped with guilt. But how do you go from there?
Jul 20th, 2022

8 Anxiety Triggers You Must Be Aware Of
Certain elements, emotions, and experiences can trigger the symptoms of anxiety to manifest. Anxiety triggers may include caffeine, negative thoughts, money problems, stress, and difficult tasks.
Jul 15th, 2022

Going on Vacation May Improve Mental Health
Many of us must have heard about music therapy and art therapy and how they can help the mind. Perhaps, travel therapy deserves a place among these as it promises real health benefits.
Jun 27th, 2022

How to Live with OCD - 6 Tips to Cope
Even when things are going great, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors can disrupt your day and leave you feeling embarrassed. The anxiety that comes with OCD can also leave you drained. But here are ways to cope to improve your quality of life.
Jun 23rd, 2022

How Does Depression Affect Relationships?
About 1 in 12 American adults experience these debilitating signs daily. And sadly, these effects of depression can transcend the individual, destroying their career and crippling relationships.
Jun 20th, 2022

Treating Anxiety and Depression in Children
Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental health disorders. Although they're different, they often occur together and have similar treatments. But, sadly, they're not only found among adults but children as well.
Jun 16th, 2022

Diet Influences ADHD Symptoms in Children
A new study has found that children who consume more fruits and vegetables have less severe symptoms of ADHD. These foods can help reduce their inattention issues.
Jun 9th, 2022

Anorexia During Pregnancy: A Huge Cause For Concern
There are many mental health disorders, and some are more common than others. But if there's one criminally under-investigated mental health disorder, it would be anorexia, especially among pregnant women.
Jun 2nd, 2022

Body Image Related to Mental Health in Teens
People who believe they look great also often feel great and have higher self-esteem. On the other hand, people with negative body image tend to feel bad about themselves, leading the depression and even suicidal thoughts.
May 16th, 2022

Dementia's Relationship with Mental Health
Notably, researchers have always believed that there is a relationship between mental disorders and dementia. Although many studies have been done in the past, results weren't always consistent. Fortunately, more light has been shared on the topic.
May 12th, 2022

Mushroom Consumption May Lower Risk of Depression
Many people know mushrooms to be very healthy food. But few know that it also promotes better mental health. New research conducted by Penn State College of Medicine has revealed that people who consume mushrooms have lower rates of depression.
May 9th, 2022

How Cannabis Affects Our Cognition and Psychology
If cannabis can influence how we think and feel, how does it affect our minds in the long term? Recent studies show that cannabis use can affect several cognitive and psychological processes.
May 2nd, 2022

Medical Marijuana May Lead to Cannabis Use Disorder
There are claims that cannabis may effectively treat some health conditions. However, there aren't sound scientific studies or proofs to back such claims. Instead, new research suggests that marijuana for medical use may lead to cannabis use disorder
Apr 23rd, 2022

Chronic Illness and Mental Health: A Link We Mustn't Ignore
Chronic illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and heart problems can increase your chances of developing mental illnesses like depression. Of course, it's not uncommon for someone recently diagnosed with some deadly cancer to fall into depression
Mar 31st, 2022

The Connection Between Heart Disease and Psychiatric Disorders
There's evidence that mental health disorders like anxiety and depression can result soon after a heart problem such as stroke or heart attack. Also, people with mental health disorders are more predisposed to suffering heart problems later in life
Mar 7th, 2022

Will My Anxiety Ever Go Away?
Anxiety may occur from time to time as a result of triggering situations. This kind of anxiety is a normal emotion like anger, which subsides after some time. In contrast, persistent anxiety that impairs daily function is a disorder and may get worse
Feb 17th, 2022

Intimacy and Mental Health: The Connection
For most adults, intimacy forms an integral part of their lives. Whether expressed emotionally or physically with one or more partners, love and intimacy can bring great meaning and pleasure in a person's life. Unfortunately, not everyone enjoys this.
Feb 10th, 2022