Mental Health Topics

When it comes to addressing anxiety and depression, two widely prescribed medications often come into consideration: Lexapro (generic name: escitalopram) and Prozac (generic name: fluoxetine).  While both medications help increase the availability of serotonin in the brain, their individual characteristics and effects set them apart. In this comparison of Lexapro…

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the current diagnosis for what may also be called chronic alcoholism, alcohol addiction, alcohol abuse, dipsomania, and alcohol dependence. This comprehensive look at alcohol use disorder will provide an in-depth explanation of the disorder, its causes, diagnostic criteria, symptoms, and treatments. 

Antidepressants, and medications in general, work differently for different people. It’s common for there to be a bit of an experimentation phase when trying to find the right medication and dosage for you. A healthcare provider can help you determine if your antidepressant dose is too low or too high…

As hard as we might try, sometimes we aren’t very kind to ourselves. While being hard on ourselves may seem like no big deal, consistent negative thoughts often convince us that our mistakes and flaws are who we are, not what we’ve done. Though it’s a long process to quiet…

While life can be rich with meaning and joy, there are times when it becomes overwhelming and hard to manage. During these difficult moments, it’s important to set up supportive resources and habits. However, it can be difficult to know where to start—or even muster the energy to get out…

Most of us know how our stomachs can turn and cold sweat can break out when we start to get anxious. But when that uncomfortable tension builds, anxiety nausea—nausea caused by our physical reaction to feeling anxious—may develop. Learn the bodily effects of anxiety nausea, what immediate steps you can…

The image of a bipolar person with anger issues is something that has been perpetuated through the media for years; however, it is also very stigmatizing and not necessarily correct.  Though people with bipolar disorder struggle with emotional regulation and may have trouble managing feelings like anger or irritability at…

Why is it so hard to express your feelings? If you have ever found yourself unable to put your emotions into words, you’re not alone. Expressing feelings can seem daunting, whether it’s because of fear, discomfort with vulnerability, or not knowing how to articulate complex emotions. Many of us struggle…

Why is there a bipolar 2 and a bipolar 1? There’s no depression 2 or depression 1. There’s no anxiety 3.0. What makes bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) different? The quick answer is that people with bipolar 2 have enough variation in their symptoms from type 1 bipolar…

While it is possible to overshare in therapy, therapy is a time and setting where oversharing is usually appropriate, welcomed, and helpful. That’s because the more details a client shares about their experiences and feelings, the more a therapist can gain insight into who they are and help guide them…

“Forgive yourself. Let it go. Forget about it. Move on.” They’re easy phrases to say, but so much harder to actually do. We all mess up sometimes, whether it’s lashing out at a friend, engaging in self-destructive behavior, or cutting corners at work. Those mistakes often come with overwhelming feelings…

Whether it’s about location, career goals, kids, religion, money, or something else, realizing you and your partner have different visions for the future can make you question everything. It can cause you to worry about whether or not you truly belong together or if you can have “it all”. And…