Taking the step to schedule a psychiatric appointment is a courageous move toward improving your mental health. Yet, it’s normal to feel apprehensive about what lies ahead. You might wonder: What will they ask me? Will I receive a diagnosis immediately? How can I communicate everything I’ve been feeling? Understanding what to expect and taking […]
Author: Laura Baker, PMHNP-BC
How To Recognize Depression That Defies The Norm
When most people think of depression, they imagine persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in daily activities. While these are hallmark symptoms of depression, they don’t represent every individual’s experience. For some, depression manifests in entirely different ways, ways that can be misunderstood, dismissed, or even overlooked by healthcare providers. If you’ve noticed […]
How to Improve Teen Mental Health Outcomes with Early Diagnosis
Adolescence is a critical developmental window, one in which young people are particularly vulnerable to the onset of mental health conditions. Research indicates that half of all mental health disorders begin by age 14, yet adolescents are often underdiagnosed or diagnosed only after their conditions have significantly progressed. For pediatricians, child psychiatrists, and other healthcare […]
Unlock Your Best Mental Health With Journaling
Mental health is a deeply personal journey. While healthcare providers offer valuable expertise, you are the expert on your own lived experience. One of the most effective tools for understanding and managing your mental health is journaling. Writing down your thoughts, emotions, and symptoms gives you clarity, helps identify triggers, and creates a roadmap for […]
6 Proven Ways to Regulate Your Emotions
For people living with mood disorders, borderline personality disorder (BPD), or ADHD, emotions can often feel overwhelming. Small frustrations might escalate into intense anger, sadness can linger longer than expected, or excitement leads to impulsive decisions. These experiences are not signs of personal failure; they reflect the challenges your brain faces in processing and managing […]
Demystifying Mental Health Diagnoses for Better Care
Hearing a psychiatric diagnosis for the first time can stir up a mix of emotions. Maybe it feels like a relief — finally, there’s a name for what you’ve been experiencing. Or maybe it feels heavy and overwhelming, leaving you wondering, What does this mean for me? What’s next? Whatever you’re feeling, let’s start by […]
Taming Tempers: How to Handle Irritability with Bipolar
Bipolar disorder brings its own set of challenges, but one of the most difficult symptoms to manage is irritability and anger. These mood swings can feel sudden and overwhelming, making it hard to stay in control of your emotions. The good news? With the right strategies and support, it’s entirely possible to manage irritability and […]
Sunlight Shortage? Here’s How to Handle Anxiety and SAD
As winter approaches, the days get shorter, the temperature drops, and sunlight becomes more scarce. For many people, these changes bring more than just colder weather—they can lead to increased anxiety and even a form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you’re noticing your mood dipping or anxiety levels rising, you’re not alone. […]
How to Advocate for Yourself in Psychiatric Care
Navigating psychiatric care can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with conditions that impact your emotions, thinking patterns, and daily life. Whether you’re managing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or another mental health condition, you are the most important member of your healthcare team. Your mental health provider is there to guide you, and you deserve […]
How to Bounce Back from Mental Health Setbacks
Life is full of ups and downs, and this is especially true when you’re working through a mental health journey. It’s easy to feel like you’re on the right path when things are going well, but what about when you hit a setback? These moments can feel overwhelming, discouraging, and like you’ve lost all the […]