Medication - MyHope

Buspirone

Buspirone is a drug used in the treatment of feelings of extreme anxiety, such as fear, dizziness, or a pounding heartbeat. It’s an anti-anxiety medication rather than an anti-psychotic, so not a substitute for medication your healthcare provider may have prescribed for other mental health issues you’re dealing with. Buspirone comes in tablet form, may […]

Risperdal

Risperdal is the brand name of risperidone, a drug sometimes prescribed by mental health professionals for the treatment of schizophrenia and some problems associated with bipolar disorder. It falls within a class of drugs called “antipsychotics,” and may be taken by mouth (orally) or injection. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), resperidone […]

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders, also known as “mood (affective) disorders,” are those conditions that affect your emotional state. For example, depression and bipolar are mood disorders. The mental health profession’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (also known as the DSM5) also includes under mood disorders those brought on by substances such as alcohol and […]

What is Suboxone?

What is Suboxone® and what is it used for? Taken as a film placed under the tongue (“sublingual”), Suboxone® is the brand name for buprenorphine and naloxone, used to treat modern to severe chronic pain. Since its FDA approval in 2002, Suboxone® has also been prescribed for treatment of opoid addiction. It acts by suppressing […]

Klonopin vs. Xanax

Klonopin vs. Xanax? Both of these drugs are anti-anxiety medications called “benzodiazepines” and can be effective in the treatment of many types of anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety, panic attacks, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Each, however, covers additional conditions (for example, Klonopin may also be used to treat seizures or epilepsy) and provides […]

Autism: Drugs/Medications

Medications Some medications can help reduce symptoms that cause problems for your child in school or at home. Many other medications may be prescribed off-label, meaning they have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a certain use or for certain people. Doctors may prescribe medications off-label if they have […]

Getting the Help You Need – Fast

One of the challenges of living with a mental health issue – either yours or that of someone whose life you’re involved in – is that sometimes an incident quickly escalates from “under control” to crisis level. If you need help immediately, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) lists several resources on […]

Autism

Definition Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills. Alternative Names Pervasive developmental disorder – autism; Autistic spectrum disorder Causes, incidence, and risk factors Autism is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. […]

Autism: Treatments

Treatments While there’s no proven cure yet for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), treating ASD early, using school-based programs, and getting proper medical care can greatly reduce ASD symptoms and increase your child’s ability to grow and learn new skills. Early intervention Research has shown that intensive behavioral therapy during the toddler or preschool years can […]

Autism – The Basics

Every child has a unique personality. Some are outgoing, while others are shy. But there are certain kids who have trouble dealing with things that most children take in stride. They may not make eye contact or have conversations. They may not like to be touched or to hear loud sounds. If you have […]

Should Parents Worry? Video Games and Their Impact on Children

When I started my practice almost thirty years ago, Sesame Street and the benign Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood captured our children’s attention. Disney movies proliferated throughout the video market and they followed a similar fairy tale pattern in which a hero or heroine is pursued by a villain but triumphs in the end. Children learned which […]

Surviving Mental Illness

If you’ve ever wondered how to effectively deal with mental illness, Jessie Close has a lot to tell you. Her new book, Resilience: Two Sisters and a Story of Mental Illness, offers a heartbreaking, honest description of her 40 years of personal experience. Jessie, the sister of actress Glenn Close, has experienced decades of great […]