How Genetic Testing for Mental Health Works (And Why It Changes Treatment)
Genetic testing for mental health, also called pharmacogenomic testing, provides information on how your genes affect your body’s responses to psychiatric medications. A small DNA sample can help your provider choose the right drug and dose. For people managing depression, anxiety, and other conditions, this type of testing can help reduce side effects, shorten lengthy […]
What Is Residential Mental Health Treatment? A Guide for Adults Considering Care
Residential mental health treatment is 24-hour, live-in mental health care for adults whose conditions cannot be safely managed at home or in outpatient settings. It treats serious mental illnesses such as major depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD. The main benefit is continuous clinical support that stabilizes symptoms, builds coping skills, and prepares people […]
Complex Trauma vs. PTSD: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters for Treatment
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after exposure to a traumatic event. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a distinct diagnosis that forms after prolonged, repeated trauma, most often beginning in childhood. C-PTSD includes all PTSD symptoms plus deep disruptions in emotion regulation, self-concept, and relationships. Recognizing the difference is the first step toward finding the right treatment […]
Stellate Ganglion Block for PTSD: How It Works & What the Research Shows
The stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a minimally invasive medical procedure. It involves the injection of a local anesthetic into the stellate ganglion — a cluster of sympathetic nerve cells in the neck. The purpose of the SGB is to calm the overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (‘fight-or-flight’ response), which underlies many PTSD symptoms. […]
How Long Do Manic Episodes Last? What to Expect and When to Get Help
Manic activity must last at least seven consecutive days to be considered an episode. The onset of bipolar I disorder is marked by abnormally elevated mood and energy. The length of episodes is shortened by early recognition and prompt treatment. Most untreated episodes resolve within three to six months. With effective treatment, mania often shortens […]