Mental Health Topics

Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine typically used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, which works by enhancing the effects of a natural chemical in our bodies called GABA and, in turn, producing a calming effect. This medication has anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, amnestic, and antidepressant properties, and…

  Emotions are hard: being angry stinks, being confused is—well—confusing, and being hurt or upset is the worst. We don’t always know how to deal with these negative emotions correctly, which can result in unnecessary arguments, poor decision-making, and pity parties. But there’s no question that we feel these emotions;…

On the first day of my morals and ethics class, I was asked to imagine the following scenario: You’re walking home from work when you notice a runaway trolley flying down the train tracks. Just ahead of this railway car are five people tied up, incapable of moving. You then…

Ambien (zolpidem) is a sedative or hypnotic, which works by targeting chemical imbalances in the brain. It is most often used to treat insomnia and helps individuals fall asleep shortly after taking the tablet. There is also an extended-release form called Ambien CR, which has a first layer that dissolves…

Antidepressants are psychiatric medications used to treat a variety of conditions, but most commonly depressive disorders. Technically speaking, they target and correct chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in our brains, which most likely cause major changes in our mood and behavior. Therefore, while they may not cure your underlying disorder, they…

Pizza Has the Most Addictive Tendencies Pizza really is the ultimate slice of life. The perfect blend of bread, cheese, meat, and whatever else you feel like throwing on top of it that particular day. Every single time the thought of pizza enters your brain, you’re helpless. The good news…

We’ve all felt excluded at least once or twice in our lives—I don’t care if you were the most popular person in school or if you pride yourself on being the glue that keeps your friends together. Think back to that one time you weren’t picked for a team in…

For six years, I walked hand-in-hand, step-by-step with another. For two of those years, I was happy (mostly). For two of those years, I was confused. And for two of those years, I was resentful. The relationship started out as any other: curious, hesitant, excited, and nervous. But we finally…

I think it’s safe to say that in grade school we actually still liked school: we looked forward to seeing our friends, showing off our newest sweater, going to that one class we enjoyed, and playing our favorite games in gym class. But there was, of course, also so much…

*DSM-5 Diagnosis * 312.34 (F63.81) Intermittent Explosive Disorder with underlying Anti-social Personality Disorder Features, *Rule out possible Exhibitionism paraphilia* and *Psychopathy (Sociopathy)* Purpose of Evaluation Mr. Hulk is undergoing psychological evaluation for the purposes of placement and treatment planning within the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) after he was found sleeping…

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist best known for outlining his infamous hierarchy of needs: a psychological theory that explains innate human needs in order of importance. These needs are classically presented as a five-tiered pyramid, with the most primitive or basic needs at the bottom. Maslow described the bottom…

Today is National Pumpkin Day, and it’s yet another amazing excuse to continue on your goal to eat nothing but pumpkin-flavored foods from now until October 31st. You’ve probably already consumed some pumpkin ice cream, some Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and I’m also willing to bet that you recently purchased some…