Archives
How Mental Health Impacts Teen and Young Adult Development
By: W. Scott West, M.D. Growing up is difficult, and growing up to be a healthy and functional adult is a challenge in itself. Several things complicate the process. The development process is similar to what happens when we build something. Think of it like constructing a house. If we have the structure of the… Read More
Leveraging Advanced Technology to Treat Depression at the Source
By: W. Scott West, MD Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace across various industries, which closely mirrors the rate of adoption and usage of technological developments. Both businesses and consumers are increasingly utilizing robust technology in everyday life, and the healthcare segment is one such industry that strives to lead the pack when… Read More
What does Esketamine have to do with TMS Therapy?
What does Esketamine have to do with TMS? While this blog focuses on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy for depression, as good practice, I like to share my thoughts on new treatment options as they become available. Whether it’s advances in technologies, psychotherapy approaches or the latest medication, I’m committed to informing my patients on… Read More
What do we know about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy?
It is sometimes helpful to recap where we are so we can make the best decisions about how to move forward. It helps to look at the facts and be realistic about where we are, what we know and what more we can learn to gain a fuller understanding of something in its current state… Read More
An Interview with Schatzie Brunner: Founder of New Way Now
I recently sat down with a colleague and former TMS patient, Schatzie Brunner, to learn more about her new business venture, New Way Now, which is a non-profit organization centered on depression awareness, education and resources. Below are insights from my conversation with former CNN anchor, author, depression advocate and Founder of New Way Now,… Read More
Why It’s Difficult to Find Help for Depression
Over the last few years, it has been harder and harder to find resources for my patients to get the help they need. Being a believer in a multimodal approach to the treatment of psychiatric struggles, I will see people for psychotherapy, medications, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and until recently I would admit patients to… Read More
The Depression Calculator for Employers
The Power of Relating to Others
In my profession, what I do throughout the day is talk with people who are struggling. The nature of the struggles varies. Some individuals are depressed about specific circumstances, situations or people. Others have perceptual difficulties that interfere with their ability to maintain a connection with reality. These struggles can manifest in degrees of challenge… Read More
Suicide; What People are Saying
Suicide is a critical issue in our society, and we continue to struggle with how to deal with it. The CDC’s latest release of statistics indicated that suicide rates in 25 states experienced increases of greater than 30% from 1999 to 2016 was amplified when we found out about the recent suicides of two celebrities,… Read More
Treating Depression When Medication Doesn’t Work
The recent, tragic deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain are a reminder of the battle so many of us are fighting, often silently. Depression doesn’t discriminate, and even celebrities are a part of the 320 million people around the world living with depression. I’ve met many of these individuals in my line of work… Read More
What is Mental Health?
For nearly 70 years, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month across the nation. With one in five people in the U.S. affected by “mental health conditions,” this month-long effort centers on celebrating the improvement and recovery of people with mental illness, so it is best to understand Mental Health by the learning… Read More
Life is Too Short, and Life is Too Long to Let Depression Go Untreated
Depression is an immense health issue. It’s the number one psychiatric disorder in the western world, and according to the World Health Organization, affects 300 million people globally. It’s growing in all age groups and communities so fast that if it continues to increase at its current rate, it will be the second most disabling… Read More
From Then to Now: How TMS is Shaping Our Future
Seven years ago, my practice began using a new treatment for depression that was cleared by the FDA in 2008, called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a technology I have been following for the previous 20 years, and it appeared to have the potential to help people struggling with depression that had not benefitted… Read More
Personality Disorders – Antisocial Personality Disorder
People with personality disorders experience patterns of behavior, feelings, and thinking that can: Interfere with a person’s life Create problems at work and school Cause issues in personal and social relationships Personality disorders include: Antisocial Personality Disorder Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating,… Read More
Personality Disorders – Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition in which a person has long-term patterns of unstable or turbulent emotions. These inner experiences often result in impulsive actions and chaotic relationships with other people. Causes The cause of borderline personality disorder is unknown. Genetic, family and social factors are thought to play roles. Risk… Read More
Mood Disorders – Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. People who have it go through unusual mood changes. They go from very happy, “up,” and active to very sad and hopeless, “down,” and inactive, and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. The up feeling is called mania. The down feeling is depression. The… Read More
Mood Disorders – Depression
Persistent Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It’s more than just a feeling of being “down in the dumps” or “blue” for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist… Read More
Mood Disorders – Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a type of depression. Some people experience a serious mood change during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. It usually lifts during spring and summer. Not everyone with SAD has the same symptoms. They include Sad, anxious or “empty” feelings Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism Feelings… Read More
Mood Disorders – Self-harm
Self-harm refers to a person’s harming their body on purpose. About 1 in 100 people hurts himself or herself in this way. More females hurt themselves than males. A person who self-harms usually does not mean to kill himself or herself. But they are at higher risk of attempting suicide if they do not get… Read More
Eating Disorders – Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that makes people lose more weight than is considered healthy for their age and height. Persons with this disorder may have an intense fear of weight gain, even when they are underweight. They may diet or exercise too much, or use other methods to lose weight. Causes The exact… Read More
Eating Disorders – Binge Eating
Binge eating is when a person eats a much larger amount of food in a shorter period than he or she normally would. During a binge, the person also feels a loss of control. Considerations A binge eater often: Eats 5,000 – 15,000 calories in one sitting Often snacks, in addition to eating three meals… Read More
Eating Disorders – Bulimia
Bulimia is an illness in which a person binges on food or has regular episodes of overeating and feels a loss of control. The person then uses different methods — such as vomiting or abusing laxatives—to prevent weight gain. Many (but not all) people with bulimia also have anorexia nervosa. Causes Many more women than… Read More
Behavioral Disorders – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a behavioral disorder that involves a pattern of disruptive behaviors in children that last for at least six months and cause problems in school, at home and in social situations. Nearly everyone shows some of these behaviors at times, but behavior disorders are more serious. Behavioral disorders may involve: Inattention… Read More
Anxiety Disorders – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. If you have OCD, you have repeated, upsetting thoughts called obsessions. You do the same thing over and over again to try to make the thoughts go away. Those repeated actions are called compulsions. Examples of obsessions are a fear of germs or a fear… Read More
Anxiety Disorders – Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder. It causes panic attacks, which are sudden feelings of terror for no reason. You may also feel physical symptoms, such as: Fast heartbeat Chest pain Breathing difficulty Dizziness Panic attacks can happen anytime, anywhere and without warning. You may live in fear of another attack and may avoid places… Read More