Monthly Archives: September 2016

My experience with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) began in 1995, when I opted for ECT as a last resort for treating my bipolar disorder. For so many people who were termed medication resistant and suffering with depression or bipolar disorder, ECT … Continue reading →

As we focus attention on mental health and suicide during National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 7 – 13, a new national survey about mental health and suicide provides some insight on Americans’ understanding and perceptions. According to the survey, U.S. … Continue reading →

Despite many efforts and much progress, suicide continues to be a major issue across the country. Both the total number and the rate of suicides increased every year from 2005 to 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and … Continue reading →

A growing movement is using the semicolon, and in particular a semicolon tattoo, as a symbol of hope for people with mental illness. The Project Semicolon website describes the meaning behind the symbol: A semicolon represents a sentence the author … Continue reading →

We often focus more on treating illnesses, both physical and mental, than on staying healthy. But the absence of mental illness does not necessarily mean good mental health. What is mental health? According to the World Health Organization, mental health … Continue reading →

Recent federal laws have expanded health insurance coverage of mental health and substance use disorders, but accessing that coverage can be difficult and complicated. Many barriers still exist and challenges can vary from state to state. To enforce the law, … Continue reading →

Major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder rarely appear “out of the blue.” Most often family, friends, teachers or individuals themselves begin to recognize small changes or a feeling that “something is not quite right” about their thinking, … Continue reading →

People often confuse psychiatrists and psychologists. There are similarities—both psychiatrists and psychologists are trained to help people with mental health problems. But there are also important differences. If you need help with a mental health concern, who should you turn … Continue reading →

A new study points to differences in priorities between patients and clinicians when deciding on treatment for depression.1 Patients and clinicians agreed on several top priorities when making a decision about how to treat depression: effectiveness of treatment, side effects, … Continue reading →