Adjusting Medicine Over The Summer Part I–Antidepressants

A common question as we head into the summer months is what to do about medications. Most parents (and some kids) are very reluctant to change medications over the school year since a return of symptoms covered by the medicine can be very, very disruptive. Summertime is the logical time to consider some changes. Antidepressants . . . → Read More: Adjusting Medicine Over The Summer Part I–Antidepressants

“So What Does It Mean To Be Emotionally Well?”

I was working a health fair last weekend. Standing there at my table with my big ol’ sign behind me announcing myself as a “Partner in the Pursuit of Emotional Wellness” was interesting to say the least. Being a shrink is an odd job. I am more used to talking to people about their deepest . . . → Read More: “So What Does It Mean To Be Emotionally Well?”

Dancing With The Devil . . . or . . . How Did I Allow Klonopin (or Ativan . . . or Xanax . . . ) To Rule My Life

I have been taken aback with the number of severe comments I have gotten from people who have had such a difficult time with Klonopin and other benzodiazepines over the years. In my practice, it has a central role in symptoms relief for many people with generalized and panic anxiety. When starting them, they always . . . → Read More: Dancing With The Devil . . . or . . . How Did I Allow Klonopin (or Ativan . . . or Xanax . . . ) To Rule My Life

Patience . . . Patients . . . Stay On Your Medicine Till You Talk To Your Doctor . . . PLEASE!!!

Getting started on medicine is a relatively easy decision. When folks come in to see me, things are not going well. Be it depression or anxiety or an out of control kid who is going to fail third grade, they want help . . . like NOW. I will be the first to admit that . . . → Read More: Patience . . . Patients . . . Stay On Your Medicine Till You Talk To Your Doctor . . . PLEASE!!!

Balancing The Need For Benzos and Antidepressants To Cover Anxiety

I noticed another fellow talked about being on 3 mg on klonopin for 15 years. For me, it’s been about .5 to .75 mg per day for 14 months but I have still been unsuccessful coming off of it. Do you recommend using acupucture and meditation during a slow taper? I also take 60 mg. . . . → Read More: Balancing The Need For Benzos and Antidepressants To Cover Anxiety

A Challenge . . .

I have long searched for new and different ways to settle my mind down and to remain centered and grounded. In my work with people who are decidedly NOT grounded, it is imperative that I maintain my focus. This is important not only for the welfare of my patients but also for my ongoing mental . . . → Read More: A Challenge . . .

Worked The First Time . . . Why Not The Second?

“Confused” writes in with a question . . .

In the past I have been prescribed Klonopin 1mg 3x a day. This worked well for me until I built a tolerance. Several years have passed, I never experienced addiction or withdralls. I have been prescibed this medicine again for panic attacks, anxiety & being social . . . → Read More: Worked The First Time . . . Why Not The Second?

Antidepressants make your anxious kid go BONKERS??? . . . a fine time for a mood stabilizer!!

My seven yr old son was diagnoised with Generalized Anxiety Disorder 1 1/2 yrs ago when it appeared he had a panic attack in school which led to two months of severe anxiety to the point where he could not leave the house. He was put on zoloft and went manic on that. We had . . . → Read More: Antidepressants make your anxious kid go BONKERS??? . . . a fine time for a mood stabilizer!!

Vyvanse was helping depression . . . now . . . aggravating mania?

James writes in to say . . .

I started having panic attacks and was very unsociable and kept to myself,all this started about 10 years ago. The doctors diagnosed me as bipolor,i’ve been on every med available for bipolar with no positive results. Last december my doc decided to try me on 20 mg . . . → Read More: Vyvanse was helping depression . . . now . . . aggravating mania?