Have you ever left a medical or psychiatric appointment and suddenly remembered the one thing you meant to mention? Maybe it was a symptom you forgot to bring up, a medication concern you wanted to discuss, or a pattern you had noticed but couldn’t quite explain in the moment. If this has happened to you, […]
Author: Laura Baker, PMHNP-BC
Why Recovery Looks Different for Different People
Substance use exists on a spectrum. Some people occasionally use alcohol without significant consequences. Others develop problematic use patterns that affect relationships, finances, work performance, physical health, or mental health. Still others develop substance use disorders that involve cravings, loss of control, withdrawal symptoms, and repeated attempts to quit without success. Because the severity of […]
Cyclothymia: The Lesser-Known Mood Disorder and How to Manage It
Cyclothymia, also called cyclothymic disorder, is one of those mental health conditions that many people have never heard of until they or someone they love is diagnosed with it. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I often meet patients who say, “I knew my moods changed more than other people’s, but I didn’t think it was […]
“Why Can’t I Just Stop?” The Brain Science of Cravings
One of the most painful things I hear from patients in recovery is, “Why can’t I just stop?” That question usually comes with shame. It comes after a craving hits hard, after a near relapse, after a relapse, or after someone finds themselves thinking about a substance or behavior they truly do not want controlling […]
Using AI to Challenge Cognitive Distortions and Improve Emotional Balance
In recent years, conversations about mental health have become more practical and more focused on skills people can use in everyday life. Many individuals are no longer asking only what they are feeling. They are asking why they feel that way and what they can do about it. At the same time, artificial intelligence has […]
When Worry About the Planet Feels Too Big
In recent years, concern about the future of our planet has shifted from a distant idea to something people feel in their daily lives. News about extreme weather, environmental changes, and long-term uncertainty is constant and, for many, deeply unsettling. It is no longer uncommon for patients to express persistent worry about what lies ahead, […]
How to Use AI for Mental Health Support and How Not To
If you have ever opened an AI chatbot to ask, “Why do I feel like this?” or “Can you help me calm down right now?” you are not alone. More and more people are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, Grok and Claude for emotional support, self-reflection, and mental health information because they are fast, […]
How to Use MBSR for Anxiety and Depression
When people hear the word mindfulness, they often picture something soft, vague, or unrealistic. They think of being told to “just breathe” while their mind is racing, their sleep is off, and their stress level is already through the roof. Understandably, that can feel dismissive. But Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, or MBSR, is not about pretending […]
Why Your Brain Needs Better Sleep and How to Get It
If you’ve ever noticed your anxiety feels louder after a short night, or that your patience disappears when you’re running on fumes, you’re not imagining it. Sleep and mental health are tightly connected. When sleep is disrupted, the brain has less capacity to regulate emotion, process stress, and respond flexibly to everyday demands. In practice, […]
How to Stay Mentally Well When the Headlines Won’t Quit
When a news alert lights up your phone, do you feel your stomach drop? Maybe your shoulders tense as you scroll. Maybe you can sense the mood shift in your body before you’ve even finished reading the headline. If so, you’re in very good company. The American Psychological Association’s Stress in America 2024 report found […]