Mental Health

Moderation is the key, as in many areas of health. In general, moderate alcohol consumption, medically defined as up to two drinks per day for men and one per day for women (different metabolism), has been show... continue reading  about  How much does alcohol contribute to high cholesterol, and can I drink while taking Lipitor?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that typically begins early in life - and which, for most afflicted individuals, has a chronic fluctuating course. Exacerbations of this disorder are o... continue reading  about  What are your thoughts on the long-term use of SSRIs like Prozac? I have OCD and think I'll probably need it for the rest of my life.

I am sorry to hear of your recent loss. The relationship between grief and depression is a complex one. The response to any significant loss (including bereavement) may involve intense sadness, changes in sleep... continue reading  about  My mom died a few months ago and dad isn't taking it well. He's lost interest in food, socializing, is not sleeping well, and has guilt about "unfinished business" in their relationship. How can I tell the difference between natural grief and depression?

You appear to be under a great deal of stress, both in your interpersonal life and with respect to physical symptoms. Some of the symptoms that you mentioned - such as dizziness and pain - can be associated wit... continue reading  about  I'm 33, with two wonderful kids, but my life is falling apart when it comes to my relationship with my husband. I don't want to be around him because he's so controlling. I cry a lot, my head pounds, I'm dizzy and I have body pain. Is this depression?

You are correct, in framing your question, to suggest that the vicissitudes of normal teenage development can often appear as emotional or behavioral problems. Adolescence is a period of development when young ... continue reading  about  I can't tell if my son (age 14) is just being a teenager or if his symptoms might be early signs of a mental health problem. He's not doing as well in school, is overly sensitive to comments, sleeping more, and binging on junk food.

Memory loss is something we can all experience. You are correct; it can be caused by stress when our attention is not well focused. Memory loss can also be contributed to by factors such as poor sleep, mood dis... continue reading  about  Memory loss or changes may have multiple causes or impersonators. What are some of them other than stress? Are early onset dementia symptoms recognizable by the person experiencing the symptoms?

Depression, like many chronic illnesses (such as diabetes or heart disease), tends to run in families. For most diseases with a heritable component, having a close family member with the illness does not necess... continue reading  about  My mother suffered from depression. Should I be worried that I, too, will develop depression as I age?

It is often very difficult to differentiate the symptoms of a heart attack from other causes. Even in the Emergency Department, with access to X-rays, EKG's, and fancy lab work, we sometimes cannot be 100 perce... continue reading  about  Awhile ago my husband complained of a pounding heart. He said it felt like it was thumping against his chest. Tests showed that he was fine and it was probably caused by stress. How can we tell the difference between severe anxiety and a heart attack?

This is a common concern for many patients taking pain medications. Yes, there is a difference between addiction and physical dependence.There are several terms that are important to understand related to takin... continue reading  about  I've been taking vicodin for a number of years because of chronic back pain. My concern is that I've become dependent on them. Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?