If you have bipolar disorder, getting the right amount of sleep at the right time of day is absolutely critical in achieving and maintaining mood stability. Good sleep at night clearly exerts mood-stabilizing benefits. This article addresses several strategies for improving mood stability in bipolar disorder and discusses the tradeoffs faced in regulating your activities and schedule.
Read MoreWhile children can be quite wonderful, our kids can also pull emotional responses out of us that leave us feeling exhausted and frustrated. This article covers the importance of taking care of your emotional health as a means of enjoying parenting more and increasing your effectiveness as a parent.
Read More2022 was the third year of The Psychiatry Resource. This article summarizes the milestones, surprises, and metrics over the past year, and includes goals and ideas for 2023 at PsychiatryResource.com.
Read More2021 was the second year of The Psychiatry Resource. This article provides a recap of the highs and lows. It shows what things stayed the same, which areas required change, and where priorities shifted at PsychiatryResource.com.
Read MoreScreening kids for depression (and sustained sadness) and connecting them with mental health services is an effective step in preventing suicide in youth. This article reviews recent research that supports this intervention and includes other data that shows this approach to be logical, strategic, and a high-yield use of suicide prevention funding.
Read MoreThe Covid-19 pandemic has fueled racism directed at Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) people, and people of color continue to battle against structural racism, cultural appropriation and cultural insensitivity. This article addresses the reasons why Kung Fu Psychiatry is changing its name to The Psychiatry Resource.
Read MoreSome people avoid dealing with their depression only to find out that they waited too long. This article addresses the reasons for dealing with depression immediately. Depression can become a pattern in the brain, so doing activities that alleviate depression and getting rid of your depression as quickly as possible will give you the best outcomes.
Read MoreMany parents find that trying to convince their kids to have more positive behaviors is either ineffective or backfires. This article addresses the strategy of behavioral shaping for parents to enhance positive behaviors and reduce conflicts when their kids are off-task. This basic parenting strategy, colloquially known as Grandma’s Rule, when consistently applied, can help life at home go more smoothly.
Read MoreThere are several potential barriers to achieving full freedom from depression. Alternately, some people are so focused on getting their depression better that when they finally arrive, they are left wondering, “What now?” This article addresses the impact of anxiety and other barriers to getting free from depression.
Read More7 million Christians in the US experience major depression each year. While attendance of religious services might be protective, it is not protective enough. This article discusses research on Christians with depression, the impact of stigma and how I calculated the number of depressed Christians.
Read MoreIn 2020, I launched my Kung Fu Psychiatry blog, published 43 articles and 31 book reviews and spent more money than my blog earned. This article addresses the highs, the lows and the lessons learned from my first year blogging on KungFuPsychiatry.com.
Read MoreThe Strengthening Behavioral Health Parity Act (SBHPA) was a major step toward mental health parity in the US. Before its passage, many Americans, especially those with ERISA-based health plans, were not protected by federal and state mental health parity laws. This article describes the history of mental health parity and what people can do to advocate for themselves.
Read MoreInternet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) is a computerized version of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that is delivered over the internet. This article addresses hard questions critics have about iCBT, research supporting its benefit, the impact it can have in communities and who can benefit from the treatment.
Read MoreSupportive psychotherapy is commonly used as a comparison intervention or “treatment as usual” in mental health research studies. While it is often expected by the scientific elite to be less effective than newer, manualized therapies, it has been proven to be an effective intervention for many conditions. This article covers basic approaches in supportive psychotherapy and who might benefit from the treatment.
Read MoreHelping someone you care about who is depressed can be a challenge, but your informed persistence can make all the difference. This article addresses ways of supporting the people you care about in their fight against depression.
Read MoreMany people are not told what to expect when prescribed an antidepressant medication. Basic information, such as the dosing range, the goal of treatment, how side effects can be overcome and how long to stay on the medication, is frequently left out of a clinical encounter. This article outlines a methodical approach to antidepressant treatment for depression.
Read MoreMany people with longstanding depression believe that they have tried every treatment out there. A detailed review of their history often reveals that they are mistaken and that there are several strategies that they have never tried. This article addresses what information is needed to make a well-informed decision about what treatment to try next and how a history of past treatments combined with a strategic, methodical approach can open up options to newer and potentially more effective treatments.
Read MoreSome people have severe depression despite having a relatively good life. Others know exactly why they are depressed and can identify the specific cause or situation that is worsening their mood. This article focuses on depressive symptoms caused by maladaptive patterns and life toxicities and what to do about them.
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