Medication and Therapy for Depression: Benefits of a Dual-Approach
Depression is a difficult condition, one that is also very self-sustaining. Depression changes the way a person thinks and how their body reacts. Someone with depression may view neutral or even lightly positive events more negatively, which in turn makes them feel more negative. They may also have low energy, causing them to withdraw from friends […]
Do Service Animals Help Improve Mental Health?
As a psychiatrist, Dr. Sehdev and the team at Aware Behavioral Health take a holistic approach to mental health. We can offer medication, and we can offer therapy, but we also look at behavioral and lifestyle choices that can contribute to better overall psychological wellbeing. Psychiatry, more than perhaps any other mental health profession, cares […]
What is the Danger of “Natural Health” Placebos for Anxiety and Depression?
Herbs, extracts, and vitamins – there is a 70 billion dollar market for natural health supplements, designed to act as alternatives to pharmaceutical research. The idea is that, instead of taking a drug that has been extensively researched for its ability to treat a specific medical issue, there are potentially natural plant based alternatives that can provide […]
Telepsychiatry in Practice – How Effective is Remote Psychiatry?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aware Behavioral Health became a 100% telepsychiatry service. Once the pandemic restrictions eased and some of the dangers went away, we began seeing patients again in Dallas, but most of our patients still utilize our Telehealth services. On occasion, especially during those early days, we would be asked by prospective patients whether or […]
What Type of Medications Are Used in the Treatment of Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are sudden periods of intense fear and discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. Panic attacks are intense physical experiences – so much so that they can become self-sustaining. […]
How Panic Attacks Lead to Agoraphobia
Panic attacks are some of the most intense mental health events that a person can experience. They have symptoms that include chest thumping and chest pain, trouble breathing, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, and many other physical symptoms. They also have psychological symptoms that make this feeling even worse: feelings of doom and fear of death, both […]
How Can Hot Weather Affect Mental Health?
It’s getting hotter here in Dallas, and while it’s raining at this very moment, it is going to come close to 100 degrees over the next few days. We often talk about the weather’s effect, good and bad, on our physical health – our sunburns, our vitamin D, our dehydration, and the exercise as we […]
What Does it Mean to Have “Treatment Resistant Depression?”
It’s important for anyone struggling with their mental health to understand that when a person struggles with mental illness, their brain chemistry changes. We often think of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions as though they are limited to thoughts and feelings – something that can be controlled with talk therapy alone. Sometimes, that’s true. […]
How Psychiatric Treatment Can Improve Relationships and Marriages
When a marriage or relationship is facing challenges, couples often consider joint counseling to address their issues. While couples counseling is highly effective in improving communication and strengthening bonds, addressing personal mental health issues through psychiatric treatment can be equally transformative. For individuals dealing with mental health challenges, seeing a psychiatrist can be a crucial […]
Psychiatry for Insomnia – Sleep Medications Risks and Benefits
Insomnia is a serious problem. Many of us have the occasional sleepless night. But frequently poor sleep causes health issues, reduces decision making quality, slows reaction times, and can lead to the development of mental health disorders and challenges. Patients that have recurring insomnia need treatment to keep themselves happier, healthier, and able to better […]