Psychotic Depression: What It Is and How to Treat It

Depression is a term with many definitions. In everyday usage, we might use it if we feel down or blue. Clinically, the word “depression” is shorthand for many types of major depressive disorder (MDD). This is much worse than being sad. It’s a diagnosable disorder with potentially serious consequences and outcomes. A sub-form of MDD is psychotic depression. 

As the name implies, psychotic depression features a blend of MDD and psychosis. In other words, it goes beyond depression to losing touch with reality. It is possible that as many as 20 percent of adults who experience MDD also experience psychotic symptoms. 

MDD and Psychotic Depression Symptoms 

The presence of certain symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, etc.) is what enables a mental health practitioner to discern psychotic depression from MDD. These signs of psychosis might be connected with typically depressive themes or not. What matters is that they co-exist with classic MDD symptoms. Let’s get familiar with both sets of signs.

Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms 

To be diagnosed with MDD, you’d have to display several of the following symptoms for at least two weeks: 

• Feeling relentlessly sad, worthless, and guilty 

• Hopelessness and pessimism 

• Losing interest in activities that once excited you (including sex)

• Irritability and angry outbursts 

• Inability to focus, concentrate, and make decisions 

• Physical signs like sleep disturbances, unexplained aches and pains, sluggish movement, slow speech, low energy, and drastic appetite shifts

• Thoughts of death, dying, suicide, and self-harm

Psychotic Depression Symptoms

There are two big ones, of course: hallucinations and delusions. But there are more subtle red flags to watch for, e.g.: 

• Feeling numb and like you lack emotions

• Inability to keep up at work or school 

• Not taking care of yourself in terms of hygiene or how you present yourself

• Social isolation 

• Confused speech

• Behaving in a way that looks or feels paranoid or overly suspicious 

• Struggling when it comes to differentiating between reality and your inner world

Diagnosing Can Be Tricky

Despite the ominous list of collective symptoms above, it can take a while to recognize that MDD has advanced to include psychosis. This is due to the fact that people with psychotic depression can be quite aware that what they are feeling and thinking is unusual. Hence, they keep it to themselves. This is where talk therapy can be very helpful in shining a light on psychotic depression symptoms.

Treatment For Psychotic Depression

Before we get into specific clinical options, it is vital to understand that lifestyle changes can be powerful in tandem with whatever treatment plan you pursue. It’s important to commit to such a self-help regimen to manage symptoms and increase your quality of life. Some steps to consider:

• Getting sufficient sleep while maintaining a steady sleep schedule. 

• Making healthy eating and drinking choices (e.g., avoid alcohol) 

• Engage in daily exercise and physical activity.

• Stay connected to others and lean on your personal support system.

With this running parallel, here are some common approaches a professional might suggest: 

• Medication: For psychotic depression, a combination of antipsychotics and antidepressants might be prescribed. Be sure to talk about all your options, possible side effects, and dosage.

• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): ECT may be suggested when a person’s response to medication and therapy is limited. This is a serious decision involving hospital admittance, anesthesia, and an electrical current. Needless to say, this is not to be considered except as a last resort.

• Talk Therapy: Approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Experiential Psychodynamic Therapy, and Internal Family Systems have been found to be very important sources of support while a person tries medication. 

Psychotic depression must be addressed. This process can begin soon with a free and confidential consultation. 

Learn more about Treatment for Depression.

5 Distinct Sources of Anxiety For People With Autism

Anxiety is a necessary part of everyone’s day. In its healthy form, anxiety can guide and protect us. Then, of course, there are instances when something truly frightening occurs. It can shape our mindset for a while, but ideally, we recover once the threat has passed. For someone with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), things are trickier.

Anxiety is not considered a symptom of ASD. However, comorbid anxiety is a big factor in the ASD experience. As many as 40 percent of people with ASD display anxiety levels high enough to warrant a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. Left unchecked and untreated, this can hamper a person’s ability to navigate life with ASD.

5 Distinct Sources of Anxiety For People With Autism

1. Certain Social Scenarios 

It’s not as if social situations are ever easy for someone with autism. But this happens in degrees. There’s an example that dovetails with source #2 below. This is when a social plan either arises unannounced or an existing plan is changed. Other anxiety-invoking experiences might be:

• Large gatherings

• Dealing with the unpredictability of pets or young children

• Doing things outdoors 

• Starting a conversation with almost anyone

• Juggling personal plans with social plans

Any of the above can provoke versions of social anxiety. A person with ASD may already feel self-conscious. The introduction of social anxiety can feel twice as daunting. They feel watched, judged, and negatively evaluated. Another factor is separation anxiety. Children with autism, in particular, come to rely on certain people to serve as go-betweens.

2. Changes in Routines

Most people aren’t very excited about sudden changes. Someone with ASD is often quite dependent on routines as a form of calming. This could relate to:

• Chores and tasks

• Work or school (e.g., homework) 

• Household rhythms like mealtime and bedtimes 

• Personal hygiene 

Anxiety is frequently the result when forced to operate outside the realm of such routines. It can even escalate to panic.

3. Unstructured Time

A certain amount of structure is important in everyone’s life. With ASD, any form of structure can feel like a lifeline. Unlike most others, people with autism do not necessarily look forward to what is euphemistically called “free time.” In school, this means recess or lunchtime is a cause for discomfort. At any age, anxiety can rear its ugly head during any transition from one activity to the next. 

4. Sensory Overload

This is a big one. There can be no way of knowing when a sensory challenge is looming. That alone causes anxiety. When any of the following occurs, it can be instantly overwhelming:

• Large crowds

• Bright lights

• Loud noises

• Strong smells 

• Food with an unusual texture

• Tight or scratchy clothing 

• Hygiene tasks like showering or tooth-brushing 

• Medical appointments 

There can be times when sensory overload intersects with a specific phobia (another form of anxiety disorder). A specific fear can trigger both ASD symptoms and anxiety responses at the same time.

5. Academic Scenarios 

Schools have a tendency to be perplexing. All the organizing, reading, writing, answering questions, assignments, and more — all of which can be a source of dread for someone with either ASD or an anxiety disorder. When both conditions are present, a person can be left feeling in a permanent state of high alert.

How to Cope with Autism and Anxiety

Studies find that a blend of talk therapy and self-help can positively and powerfully impact this challenging scenario. Depending on the severity of either disorder, an experienced therapist will provide a blueprint for managing the comorbidity. If you or someone you know is struggling with a blend of autism and anxiety, I urge you to reach out for professional guidance.

Learn more about Anxiety Treatment…

How Does Bipolar Depression Differ From Traditional Depression?

In the age of search engines, the average person knows more about medical conditions than ever before. But things are not that simple. Even professionals can misdiagnose. A big reason for this is that some conditions are very similar. For example, the depressive episodes of bipolar disorder can easily be confused with traditional depression. 

Of course, it is essential that the correct diagnosis is found in every situation. In the case of bipolar depression and traditional depression, this begins with understanding the differences. A big part of this is accepting that the person in question may not be best positioned to perceive how the disorders diverge.

Let’s Start With The Basics

Bipolar Disorder

Known for its alternating extreme episodes of mania and depression, bipolar disorder can also include periods of no symptoms. These swings are typically not related to a life event and often interfere with one’s ability to function on a daily basis. The condition has two sets of symptoms: 

Mania Symptoms

• Operating on very little sleep

• High energy, high activity, general euphoria

• Restlessness

• Unrealistic ideas

• Racing thoughts

• Quick to anger

• High sex drive

• Poor judgment because you don’t recognize that you have a problem

Depression Symptoms 

• Sadness and despair almost all the time

• Losing interest in activities that once excited you (including sex)

• Low energy 

• Inability to concentrate 

• Sleep disturbances 

• Appetite changes

• A general mood of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, emptiness, or self-doubt

• Unexplained aches and pains

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide 

Depression 

This is a mood disorder that does not have episodes of mania or symptomless periods. Its hallmark is despair and stifling sadness. To be diagnosed with depression, you must present with five or more of the following signs for at least two weeks:

• Sadness and despair almost all the time

• Losing interest in activities that once excited you (including sex)

• Low energy 

• Inability to concentrate 

• Sleep disturbances 

• Appetite changes

• A general mood of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, emptiness, or self-doubt

• Unexplained aches and pains

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

How Are Depression And Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?

If someone is in the midst of a bipolar disorder depressive episode, it can be virtually impossible to distinguish it from traditional depression. Since people with bipolar disorder often cannot recognize mania in themselves, they may not report those symptoms. 

Therefore, an accurate diagnosis will require firsthand input from someone who has witnessed both types of episodes. From there, the medical profession can engage in further observation to make a determination. This will include taking a medical history and being made aware of any medications the persona may be taking. 

A treatment plan can only be chosen once a diagnosis is agreed upon.

Treating Bipolar Disorder or Depression 

Both conditions can be managed via talk therapy and medication. Typically, it would be mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder and antidepressants for depression. In both cases, the protocol is flexible and subject to change — based on results and response to the medications. Become active participants in your treatment and never underestimate the importance of your input when it comes to making decisions. 

Through it all, individuals with either disorder are encouraged to supplement treatment with self-care and the cultivation of a support system. 

Suggestions include: 

• Diligent self-education 

• Identifying your triggers and having a plan in place for extreme situations

• Do not self-isolate 

• Connect with support groups in person and/or online 

• Avoid alcohol and other substances

• Make healthy eating choices

• Partake in daily exercise and physical activity 

• Maintain regular sleep patterns 

Depression, in any of its forms, is nothing to tackle alone. If any of the above resonated with you, please reach out to get the help you need and deserve. 

Learn more about Depression Treatment…

Genetic or Environmental: Where Do Anxiety Disorders Come From?

It can feel paradoxical to talk about the causes of psychological disorders. On one hand, we’ve come so far and have a vast supply of resources. That said, there is still so much to learn when it comes to pinpointing how and why anxiety disorders arise and take hold. Emotional issues are complex. They are the result of many intertwining factors.

In the case of anxiety disorders, it’s important to note that there are several types. Therefore, there are a variety of possible elements to consider. With all that in mind, let’s explore what we know about the causes of anxiety disorders. 

Possible Genetic and Environmental Causes For Anxiety Disorders

Genetic

Here is where the bulk of work remains. Researchers currently believe that environmental factors are more likely to cause anxiety. But work dating back to 2002 suggests possible genetic sources. More recent studies include:

• 2015: The presence of a gene called RBFOX1 could increase the risk of developing Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). 

• 2016: In addition, both Social Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder could be linked to specific genes. 

• 2017: GAD might be inherited by some people, but it is accepted that you can have an anxiety disorder even if it doesn’t run in your family.

Environmental

Some of the environmental factors believed to play a role in anxiety include:

• Childhood trauma

• Family composition 

• Cultural tendencies 

• Religious upbringing 

• Underlying medical conditions (or a side effect of prescribed medication)

• The presence of substance abuse in the home

Gender and Sexuality 

Researchers have found that non-heterosexual participants in studies reported anxiety at a higher rate. More specifically:

• Bisexual people seem to experience anxiety disorders more often than gay and lesbian people. This could be connected to a sense of exclusion and marginalization. 

• For transgender people, gender dysphoria can be a risk factor for anxiety.

Race 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), socioeconomic deprivation and racial discrimination are major predictors of anxiety. This can be related to, for example, exposure to discrimination and micro-aggressions. Fear of policing (personal experience or witnessing incidents) is also believed to raise the risk factor. 

Life Stressors

Acute or chronic stress in one’s life is a clear component of developing anxiety. Concerns and worries about your health, finances, relationships, etc., can lead to you feeling “stuck” in a stress response. This can be exacerbated by being called upon to perform publicly or any other act that triggers social anxiety.

So, Are Anxiety Disorders Genetic or Environmental?

Based on the information above, it would be easy to assume that your environment is the primary factor. When your environment is a huge element in your mental health, we just don’t know enough about genetics and anxiety to rank one factor above the other. What we can most definitely do is take active steps to address what is known.

You may be experiencing anxiety symptoms like:

• Excessive worrying 

• Sleep disturbances 

• Fatigue

• Sweating 

• Palpitations

• Racing thoughts

• Loss of focus

• Sense of impending doom

• Avoidance of social situations 

• Nausea 

• Shakiness

• Hyper-vigilance 

If so, before deciding if all this is genetic or environmental, why not assess yourself? An experienced therapist is ideally positioned to talk with you about what you’re feeling and why. Committing to regular sessions puts the power back into your hands. Working together, you and your therapist reveal underlying causes, counterproductive patterns, and triggering factors.

From there, you can focus on developing new approaches and solutions that can free you from anxiety’s control. After all, whether the source is environmental or genetic, anxiety disorders are treatable. You can recover and thrive again. Let’s get you started on this healing path. 

Learn more about Anxiety Therapy.

Complex Trauma: What it is and How it Affects People

There’s a lot more awareness about trauma today than ever before. But it’s a complex topic with plenty of nuance. In fact, the word “complex” factors directly into this discussion. Generally speaking, conversations about trauma revolve around a specific, terrible event. It might be, for example, an accident or the death of a loved one. Such experiences can result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Complex Trauma, however, is similar but arises when a person endures ongoing, relentless traumatic experiences. About three percent of people in the U.S. struggle with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)

Examples of Complex Trauma

The ongoing events listed below typically occur during childhood but can happen to anyone at any time. The criteria are that the person is subjected to long-term abuse or suffering and is unable to escape from it. Such complex traumatic events include:

• Sexual abuse or incest

• Physical and/or emotional abuse

• Medical abuse

• Human trafficking and being prostituted 

• Living in a war zone

• Living in a place besieged by campaigns of genocide 

• Torture

• Kidnapping

• Ongoing neglect or abandonment

• Child forced into the role of an adult, caretaker, or parent 

C-PTSD is more likely if:

• The ongoing trauma happened during your childhood 

• You had a real or perceived lack of escape or rescue

• The abuser was someone close to you

• More than one trauma was occurring at the same time

How Does Complex Trauma Affect People?

Any intense stressor can activate the body’s fight-or-flight response. Under typical circumstances, it serves to shut down non-essential systems and prioritize survival. All things being equal, this stress response dissipates once the threat has passed. But what if the stress doesn’t pass?

People struggling with complex trauma remain in a state of hypervigilance. Everything feels like danger, putting their minds and bodies at high risk of further problems. Like all trauma survivors, they are subject to the following:

• Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts 

• Memory loss and dissociation 

• Sleep disturbances 

• Being easily startled 

• Unexplained aches, pains, and bodily tension 

• Digestive issues

• Trouble regulating your emotions

• Social isolation and avoidance 

• Low self-esteem

When C-PTSD is Present

If complex trauma causes C-PTSD, in addition to the symptoms listed above, a person may:

• Display angry outbursts

• Lose trust in others and the world, in general

• Believe no one understands them or what they’ve been through 

• Avoid making any kind of connection with others

• Feel permanently damaged 

• Feel different from others and find it difficult to deal with anyone else

Self-Help For Complex Trauma 

A lot of the common relaxation techniques you’ve probably heard of are useful in easing C-PTSD symptoms. For example:

• Journaling 

• Breathing exercises

• Meditation 

• Tai chi, yoga, and dance 

• Maintaining regular sleep patterns 

• Making healthy eating choices 

• Daily exercise and physical activity

• Being in nature 

Also, it can be incredibly helpful to talk with loved ones about your triggers. Let them know what you’re going through and how they can help. All of this adds up to excellent complementary care while you work with a therapist.

Treatment For Complex Trauma

Trauma requires more than self-help. Conditions like C-PTSD can be debilitating. Fortunately, several therapeutic approaches have been found effective for people with complex trauma. These include:

• Internal Family Systems

• Experiential Dynamic Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Somatic therapies 

The first step is accepting the need for change and committing to a plan. These are challenging steps, but I can help you along the way. If complex trauma is impacting your life, I urge you to reach out and connect. Depending on the specifics of your situation, your therapist will present the best options so you can work together toward recovery.

Learn more about Trauma & PTSD Treatment.

Social Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Think back on a time when you felt nervous or shy. It might have been your first day at a new school or job. Perhaps, a first date or having to give a presentation of some kind came to mind. In situations like this, feeling some apprehension is normal and inevitable. You might get butterflies in your stomach or find that your hands are shaking a little. None of this is fun, but none of it is alarming, either.

What would be alarming is if such fear and anxiousness became chronic and disrupted your daily life. This could mean you are struggling with Social Anxiety Disorder.

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social Anxiety Disorder is a common, diagnosable mental health condition. More than temporary worry, this disorder challenges your ability to function. While many folks chalk up to their “personality,” that often is not the case. What some call shyness can be a disorder that strikes fear in the hearts of people when they have to perform basic tasks like:

• Making a phone call

• Using a public bathroom

• Meeting new people

• Dating

• Talking in front of people

• Asking for help in a store or restaurant 

• Eating in front of someone

Such worries may be founded on a fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected. As a result, the person may choose extreme forms of avoidance to feel safe. That friend of yours who seems like an “introvert” or a “loner” may actually crave a social life. But anxiety has tossed a monkey wrench into this desire. Thus, it is vital that more people get familiar with the symptoms of this condition. 

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

As touched on above, a telltale sign of social anxiety is avoidance. Worrying that you might embarrass yourself causes a person to withdraw. They turn down invitations and slip into the background when they can’t evade social situations. A child with Social Anxiety Disorder will, of course, be more demonstrative about the dread they feel. This can manifest in temper tantrums or a refusal to speak.

Some with Social Anxiety Disorder may:

• Avoid eye contact 

• Fear that others can recognize how anxious they are

• Expect the worst 

• Feel frightened anticipation leading up to an event

• Analyze their performance for days or weeks after the event

In addition, physical symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath

• Rapid heartbeat 

• Trembling and shaking

• Blushing

• Sweating

• Dizziness

• Unexplained muscle tension and aches 

• Stomach disturbances

• Feeling like your mind has gone blank

It is essential that you reach out for help if you chronically experience any of the above. Too often, people with social anxiety either don’t realize that it’s not just shyness, or they are too self-conscious to make an appointment to talk about it. The presence of such signs and symptoms is what a practitioner will use to diagnose Social Anxiety Disorder.

Social Anxiety Disorder is Treatable

Yes, it’s not easy to share what you are feeling — especially when a fear of being judged is so strong. Social Anxiety Disorder, by definition, can hamper your desire to get help. But, like all anxiety disorders, social anxiety is treatable. So, why not start with a confidential inquiry? Take one small step to learn more about your recovery. 

Learn more about Anxiety Therapy.

What is IFS Therapy for Trauma?

Everyone has a personality. However, if you allow yourself the freedom to think more openly, you will see that you’re made up of many sub-personalities. Quite often, these sub-personalities are in conflict with each other. Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a type of psychotherapy that takes this into account in a big way. In fact, the title is meant to validate each part of you as part of your internal family system. 

You want to balance the parts of an external family, right? Well, IFS seeks a similar kind of balance for all the personalities that make up your “Self.” In the process, it can help you recover from a wide range of problems — including trauma. 

What is IFS?

This approach recognizes that none of your sub-personalities are bad. Rather, they’ve had bad roles imposed upon them. They are wounded and deserving of healing. Healing your sub-parts brings harmony to the greater Self. Again, you can think of a family for context. If each family member is healthy, the whole family is healthy.

Working with an IFS therapist has been found to promote:

• Self-compassion

• Self-leadership 

• A calm reaction to the inevitable symptoms of daily stress or previous trauma 

• A deeper understanding of oneself

• Preparation for emotional difficulties that lie ahead

What is Trauma?

You probably know many of the common causes of trauma, e.g., neglect, abuse, disaster, disability, and more. The causes are many, but they typically fall into a few broad categories:

• Too much happens too soon 

• Too much happens for too long

• Losing personal power and the resources to deal with that

• Not having access to healing options

This adds up to some of your many parts — your internal family members — being traumatized. Some sub-personalities have shifted into permanent emergency mode. They seek to protect you even in the methods are not functional. Obviously, bringing these parts back into balance can facilitate recovery. 

How IFS Can Help With Trauma

IFS reminds the trauma survivor that they are not “just” a traumatized person. In fact, some parts of our internal family are not carrying negative memories and sensations. Integrating the different sub-personalities can help identify where the pain lives. You’ll better understand your triggers and visualize paths toward healing. Your IFS therapist creates a safe environment in which this work can be accomplished. 

Some IFS Techniques

To better grasp how the recovery happens, it helps to know a little about the general approach taken with IFS. Firstly, the many sub-parts of you are broken into two general categories:

• Firefighters: As the name implies, these are protectors. They put out fires, but you’ll still have to get to the root cause of those fires.

• Managers: These parts plan diligently to help you avoid triggers. This saves you from painful experiences but, again, does not deal with the sources. 

What Happens Next

You’ll need to find where the sensations emerge from. It could, for example, feel like tight neck muscles. If so, that’s where your focus must be aimed. Some steps you will take:

• Learn from the part of you that feels the pain the most. Is that pain tied to an emotion or a particular memory? Does it grow from a certain time in your life?

• Identify how you feel about this sub-personality. This will help both you and your therapist surmise how important of a role it plays.

• Challenge yourself to become friends with this part of you. Find out where the fear comes from and see if friendship releases it.

IFS is an innovative and effective approach toward trauma recovery. To learn more, I invite you to reach out today. Let’s connect for a free and confidential consultation. 

Learn more about therapy for trauma and PTSD.

5 Symptoms of Depression in Men

Both men and women deal with depression. There are some similarities in how the disorder presents but some very important differences, too. First and foremost, women appear to be twice as likely to struggle with depression. I say “appear” because there are some very important factors to consider.

For starters, due to cultural conditioning, men seem to be far less willing to report feeling depression symptoms. In addition, the signs of depression that men show may not be familiar to others — or to the men themselves. While depressed women are openly sad and often cry, men often replace sadness with anger. This makes it critical that we all become more aware of such symptoms.

Why Do Men Get Depression?

The reasons anyone gets this condition are complex. But some general depression risk factors exist for men, e.g.: 

• Childhood trauma or abuse can make them more vulnerable to depression as adults

• Chronic, everyday stress is enough to challenge anyone’s mental well-being

• Depression is more likely if the man is already dealing with a physical illness

• At least one-third of prescribed medications have the potential to cause depression as a side effect

• Genetics seem to play a role in terms of family history 

So, the first step is to identify such risk factors for yourself or other men in your life. From there, it becomes urgent to familiarize yourself with the outward signs. There are well-known symptoms that can affect men and women equally. These include:

• Profound sorrow and sadness

• Feeling empty or hopeless

• Intense fatigue

• Sleep and appetite disturbances

• No longer getting pleasure from activities you once enjoyed (including sex)

But what about the symptoms that seem more prevalent in men?

5 Symptoms of Depression in Men

1. Anger

This can manifest as personal irritability, frustration, or restlessness. Just as often, depression-related anger can be inappropriate, abusive, and violent. It can feel controlling and threatening. Depression clichés may have you looking for someone acting gloomy or blue. In reality, as many as half of men with depression report having a short, explosive temper. 

2. Choosing Escapism

Are you allocating an unusual amount of time to activities that serve as a distraction? Such activities could involve exercise, sports, video games, pornography, social media, or anything that helps you ignore the intensity of the depressive emotions. This could be a major red flag.

3. Risky Behaviors

Escalating the escapism could move you into the realm of immediate danger. The unconscious goal here is numbing the pain rather than talking about it. Common risky behaviors for men with depression are:

• Reckless driving 

• Over-consuming alcohol 

• Other forms of substance abuse

• Gambling

• Seeing prostitutes, cheating on a partner, and engaging in unsafe sex practices

4. Sexual Dysfunction

Counter to the list item on the list directly above, depression in men can derail their sex life in several ways. For example:

• Depression itself can reduce one’s sex drive

• Arousal can be fleeting

• Some men are unable to attain orgasms 

• Some medications prescribed for depression can cause sexual dysfunction

Roughly 25 percent of men with erectile dysfunction have diagnosed or undiagnosed depression. Since men are not keen on reporting either depression or sexual issues, that number could be much, much higher. 

5. Suicidal Thoughts/Suicide Attempts 

The most frightening paradox of this topic is highlighted by there two U.S.-based statistics:

• Women have twice as high a depression rate as men

• Men are four times as likely to die from suicide 

This points to the tendency for men to withdraw socially while disguising their symptoms. It also drives home just how important it is to know more about men and depression — and to ask for help. 

Learn more about Depression Therapy.

What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy & Is it Right for You?

Psychotherapy never stops evolving. As time passes, more and more treatment options are available to people in need. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a relatively new concept that is rapidly gaining acceptance and popularity. Ketamine is a psychedelic drug that can induce a hypnotic state during which healing happens.

Ketamine began as an animal anesthetic but was used for humans during the Vietnam War. Such use expanded to emergency responders, and that’s how its psychotherapeutic potential was discovered. When ketamine was given to a person who had attempted suicide, it had an unexpected, positive side effect—suicide ideation was drastically reduced.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy FAQ

How does KAP work?

Ketamine is believed to impact a particular neurotransmitter that increases your brain’s ability to adapt and adjust. Through a process called neuroplasticity, your nerve cells become better equipped to reduce the risk of mental distress. For example, KAP has been found to short-circuit the factors that can create treatment-resistant depression. 

What other conditions are commonly treated with KAP? 

The list is long, varied, and growing. Some problems addressed via KAP include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, substance abuse, disordered eating, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, chronic pain, and Bipolar Disorder. 

How is ketamine administered?

Lozenges are the most common method. But it can also be delivered via injections, nasal sprays, and intravenous infusions. The positive impact is felt within minutes. 

What are KAP sessions like?

Your therapist is with you all the way as the ketamine eases you into a trance-like state for about 40 to 60 minutes. Think of it as a healthy and productive form of dissociation. But there’s even more to it than the actual ketamine sessions.

In between, you meet with your therapist to work on integration, during which:

• You talk about your ketamine experiences 

• Integrate these experiences into your everyday life

• Homework is given as a way to carry over the healing outside the therapy setting 

Are there any side effects or other cautions to know about?

Let’s start with the side effects. Generally speaking, they are rare. If present, they usually present as minor episodes of:

• Drowsiness

• Headache 

• Nausea 

• Headache

• Increased blood pressure and/or heart rate

• Disorientation

You will need someone to bring you home from the sessions in which ketamine is administered. Other factors to bear in mind:

• In cases when ketamine is injected, needles are involved 

• Anyone deemed susceptible to addiction must address this reality in pre-treatment conversations

• Make sure your insurance will cover KAP

• Be diligent about making sure your KAP clinic is regulated 

What can KAP offer me?

KAP can provide symptom relief that often occurs in a matter of hours. In addition, most patients experience long-lasting symptom relief and become more sustainable with ensuing sessions. KAP is still relatively new, so there’s not a very long-term record yet. What we do know is promising—especially for folks who have not found relief through other treatment approaches.

General Benefits of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

• Calm mind

• Mood enhancer

• New brain cell growth 

• A reduction of pain and, thus, less of a need for traditional painkillers

• A general sense of being an active participant in your everyday life 

How Can You Know if KAP is Right for You?

I will safely assume that the above summary of KAP has provided some answers and provoked more questions. As is typically the case, the next step is to speak with a mental health professional with experience in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Therefore, I invite you to reach out at your earliest convenience to learn more. Let’s talk about your situation and decide together if KAP is the right path to take you to a place of healing and recovery. 

5 Signs of High-Functioning Depression

You might imagine that depression is easily recognizable—in others and in yourself. In many cases, you would be correct. However, a condition called Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) is also a reality. Euphemistically called “high-function depression,” PDD is less severe than a major depressive disorder. However, that’s where the danger may lie. 

If it’s downplayed or even ignored, it will (as the name implies) persist even though treatment is needed. Since all forms of depression carry with them a risk of suicide, this is obviously not what anyone wants.

High-Functioning Depression and Its Risks 

PDD may feel like you’re in some kind of limbo. On the one hand, you’re functioning. You go to work or school, and you handle the basic daily functions of life. At the same time, you’re unhappy and lacking energy. It feels like too much to maintain relationships and friendships. Your responsibilities are overwhelming. This in-between state puts you at risk for:

“It’s all in my head.”

If there’s no clear-cut sign of an illness, you may think you’re being overdramatic. Things are not that bad, and none of the people in your life seem too concerned about you. They tell you—and you tell yourself—that the answer is as simple as “snapping out of it.”

“It’s no big deal.”

It is critical that more people learn to recognize the signs of PDD. When you minimize the severity of your feelings, you surrender the opportunity to get help. The longer this lasts, the greater the risks.

5 Signs of High-Functioning Depression

Someone with PDD may smile as often as anyone else. They may hold down a job, have friends, and be raising a family. Upon closer examination, all is not nearly as well as it seems. 

1. Talking About Feeling Sad or Hopeless

People with PDD cry a lot but may be good at hiding it. If you listen carefully, what you might identify are:

• Chronic self-criticism 

• Comments about feeling “empty” or lacking hope

• Expressing regret about things they did in the past or decisions they made that led to where they are now

• Outbursts of anger and/or irritability 

• Morbid curiosity about death and dying

On their own, statements like this don’t automatically diagnose anything. But, for certain, they must not be dismissed or ignored. 

2. More Effort Needed

Sure, you can get things done with high-functioning depression. But wow, it takes a whole lot of extra effort. Your to-do list has been tackled, but you’ve got nothing left. Even during the process of being productive, you’re still not working at the level you once did. Concentrating, in particular, feels exhausting.

3. The Pain Comes Out in Other Ways

Since PDD is less obvious, the person may feel ashamed that they’re down “for no reason.” They opt to hide it from loved ones. What they can’t hide is how the problem manifests elsewhere, e.g.

• Unexplained aches, pain, and tension (including headaches) 

• Appetite swings from increase to decrease

• Unplanned weight loss or gain

• Sleep disturbances that can involve insomnia or excessive sleep 

• Feeling low energy even when you sleep for 10 or more hours 

4. Self-Medication 

When you don’t recognize that you’re depressed or you’re trying to hide it, what do you do for comfort? The answer, too often, is self-medication. It might be drugs, alcohol, overeating, risky behaviors, pornography — basically anything that might temporarily fill the void. 

5. Less Joy, Less Fun

Here is where friends and family members can recognize the problem. People with PDD lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. This can include sex. 

Look For Clarity

If you have a sense of feeling depressed, why not reach out and learn more? It could be the most important call you ever make. 

Learn more about Depression Therapy.