The National Depression Hotline (nationaldepressionhotline.org) stands as a beacon of hope for those navigating the fog of depression. This free, confidential service offers a supportive ear, professional advice, and the first step towards recovery, 24/7.
Read MoreKetamine, originally known as a powerful anesthetic, has gained attention for its rapid antidepressant effects by acting on the NMDA receptor and modulating glutamate in the brain. In controlled clinical settings, ketamine has proven efficacy in treating severe and treatment-resistant depression. However, the growing trend of using ketamine at home, often without medical supervision, raises significant concerns.
Read MoreIn most cases, patients respond to esketamine and continue with regular dosing usually every 2-3 weeks. Infrequently, they will require redosing weekly or monthly. Stopping the medication after a response is uncommon and usual among those who have consistently mild depression.
Read MoreDepression that does not respond to 2 or more antidepressant medications of therapeutic dose for at least 6 weeks is what I call “sticky depression” or more formally, treatment resistant depression. Luckily it does not have to be treatment resistant anymore because I have 2 major weapons against “sticky depression” - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Spravato (esketamine nasal spray). Luckily, both are very safe, FDA approved/cleared, and are covered by most major insurance plans. Often, the biggest challenge is deciding which treatment is best for my individual patient because most patients are great candidates for both treatments.
Read MoreWe encourage you to have a different and more mindful perspective, a different approach to how you respond to stress. You are free to choose how you react to the stimulus instead of being a victim and simply just reacting to your environment. You are free to question assumptions, analyze resources, problem solve, and strategize. Your life can and should be dictated by you. You can choose to react differently to stress. You don’t have to be a victim anymore. We want to teach you about proactive coping, stress reduction, and living a principle-centered life.
Read MoreSleep can be challenging and elusive yet necessary for your best mental health. It is often the first symptom / warning sign of mental health problems and can trigger and/or exacerbate underlying mental health problems. First, you need to characterize your sleep problems and sleep patterns. For example – is it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or are you waking up too early? If you wake up at night, is it difficult to fall back asleep. We recommend keeping a sleep log next to your bed or on an app on your phone.
To best address your issues with sleep, is essential that you and your healthcare provider identify the cause of your sleep problems, which may involve a physical examination, laboratory studies, and additional testing. It is essential to develop and implement behavioral, psychological, and social solutions to improve your sleep. Lastly, you may require interventions such as a Cpap machine and/or medications to improve your sleep quality.
Read MoreOne of the most effective ways to treat depression and anxiety is through psychotherapy. Research continues to show that it is not the type of therapy that matters most in treatment outcomes - it is the relationship you build with your therapist. I compare finding your therapist to like dating - it has to be a “fit.”
Read MoreSometimes we may find that our thoughts feel overwhelming, we get wrapped up in them, or that they may tend to dictate how our day goes. We may find that our thoughts change the ways we behave, which may lead to a cycle of negative behavior or feelings. Uncomfortable thoughts may be seen in people experiencing anxiety, depression, and a variety of other mental health concerns. It is possible to find detachment from our thoughts with the practice of cognitive defusion.
Read MoreBehavioral Activation (BA) is a therapy skill that can be done with or without Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy highlighting how thinking, behavior, and feelings are all inter-related and directly involved with one’s mental health. BA specifically focuses on the behavior portion involved in our mental health.
Read MoreHelp is always out there! If you are experiencing an acute crisis after hours or if your clinician is not available, we recommend the following national resources in addition to other local Charleston resources listed on our main webpage.
Read MoreAt Sweetgrass Psychiatry, we believe everyone deserves the best mental health care treatment and a seat at our table regardless of gender identity, sexual identity, race, ethnicity, religion, age (we are working on providing more services for children), abilities/disabilities, socioeconomic level (which is why we proudly take insurance), and educational status.
Read MoreTwo of our favorite evidence-based treatments for depression that we offer at our Mount Pleasant, SC location are Spravato / esketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Both transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato (esketamine) are FDA-approved treatments for treatment-resistant depression.
Read MoreHow do I know if I should see a psychologist or a psychiatrist? This is a question we get asked a lot here at Sweetgrass Psychiatry!
Read MoreADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. ADHD is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning or development. It is important to note that individuals with ADHD are often very intelligent.
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