Back in 2018, I did a post looking at the sleep hygiene recommendations that I was and was not following. I decided to look back and reflect on what’s changed since then. What hasn’t changed is that I can’t sleep without medication. I’m not taking anything specifically for sleep, but a couple of my regular …
Sleep Hygiene: Creating Conditions That Promote Sleep Read More »
This post is by Mio of Mentally Ill in America. My Possible Origin Story It most likely began when I was two. I was taken to the ER for a fever that would ultimately rise to 107. But, first there was church to attend to… Once that let out (or whenever it was that my …
Emerging Blogger Series: Mio (Mentally Ill in America) Read More »
Naltrexone (brand names include Vivitrol and ReVia) blocks opioid receptors just like Narcan (naloxone), which is used to treat opioid overdoses. Both drugs prevent any opioids in the vicinity From being able to latch onto opioid receptors and do their opioid thing. While Narcan and fast- and short-acting, naltrexone works more slowly and is longer-acting. It’s available …
Spiders, Vampires and Jail Keys by Brooke O’Neill is a compelling story of one woman’s life with bipolar disorder. Like me, Brooke is a nurse. When she returned to work after her period of acute illness, she was able to have positive conversations self-disclosing to some of her patients who had bipolar disorder in addition …
If you’ve read my blog before, you’ve probably noticed that I’m pretty pro-medication when it comes to mental illness. I thought it would be worthwhile, though, to give a little bit more nuanced perspective. My take on meds comes from my professional training as a pharmacist and then nurse, years of experience, and many hours of …
The world likes to get judgy when it comes to medications, particularly those that are viewed as addictive or otherwise “bad” in some way. The judginess grows exponentially when it comes to medication use in pregnancy. Obviously, it’s a problem if a medication has a negative effect on a developing fetus. However, in the real …
Do antidepressants increase the risk of suicide? There are certainly people out there who are very vocal in insisting that they do. However, as is so often the case, the loudmouths don’t tend to be especially well informed. The FDA black box warning Since 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required a …
Antidepressants, Suicide Risk, and the FDA Black Box Warning Read More »
Sometimes you’ll hear people argue that doctors don’t know how psych meds work, and therefore they shouldn’t be used. However, there’s a lack of clarity to these statements that, at least in my opinion, casts psychotropic meds in an unfair light. What is the mechanism of action? If we’re going to about how medications work, …
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a hard-to-treat condition that can cause significant distress for those living with it. While the gold standard for treatment is psychotherapy, specifically dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), medications may also play a supporting role, and that’s what this post will focus on. Antidepressants Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, are some of the most …
The Role of Medications for Borderline Personality Disorder Read More »
Your Mental Health and You is written by Sandy Pace, whose blog I’ve followed for some time. He has a degree in psychology, lives with ADHD, and has experienced addiction. The book covers various areas of your life and your thinking where you could make changes to promote better mental health. It’s immediately clear how …
