It’s easy to feel like we need significant changes or interventions to improve our mental well-being, but recent research suggests that a simple, natural solution may be within reach for everyone: spending just ten minutes a day outside.

Most people would probably prefer not to take any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The concern every parent has when deciding to use medication or not during pregnancy is whether their actions could harm their unborn child. Many also assume giving medication to the birthing parent will harm the fetus. This idea is false and harmful because during pregnancy, mother and fetus are inseparable, otherwise known as a dyad.

The biggest harm with an all-or-nothing approach is this: when medications are stopped, changed, or not started during pregnancy, this can cause mental health issues that result in pregnancy complications.

In the serene, tree-filled setting of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Sweetgrass Psychiatry is pioneering a transformative approach to mental health care that is both innovative and accessible. We're proud to introduce FDA-cleared Apollo Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a groundbreaking treatment modality that offers hope and healing to individuals battling with psychiatric disorders, particularly depression. This state-of-the-art therapy is not just effective; it's also covered by most major insurance companies, making it accessible to those in need.

Spravato (esketamine) is a magical and mysterious medication, highly effective for treating stubborn depression. These patient administered nasal devices have not only saved countless of my patients’ lives from suicide, but Spravato has rescued so many of them from being trapped in their negative perspectives. That being said, this medication is a powerful force and requires careful and thoughtful compassion and intentionality poured into each individual who opens themselves up to the healing properties this medication can provide.

Cannabis products are found everywhere and are commonly advertised as helping individuals with mental health conditions. Do they really work though?

If you have treatment resistant major depression, live in the Charleston SC or Mount Pleasant, SC area and are interested in scheduling a Spravato consultation, please call Sweetgrass Psychiatry at (843) 800-1303.

You are not alone. The majority of our clinicians at Sweetgrass Psychiatry are mothers, and we know it is tough right after having a baby. There is nothing like it and no one can quite prepare you for what to expect. It can be very challenging to determine what is normal after pregnancy vs. postpartum blues vs. postpartum depression. That is what we are here for.

Neuropharmagen® enables providers to identify the safest psychotropic medication protocol for patients based on their genetic markers and other relevant factors. Finding the right medication for mental health conditions can often be challenging for patients and providers. Being able to quickly discern specific treatments and dosage amounts for antidepressants and other psychoactive drugs may increase a patient’s adherence and chance for a positive outcome.

When other traditional treatments for depression are not working, such as psychotherapy, medications (SSRIs, SNRIs), exercise, and healthy eating, there are other great treatment options. At Sweetgrass Psychiatry in Mount Pleasant, SC, we are pleased to provide our patients with treatment resistant depression HOPE. One evidence based, safe treatment option is Intramuscular (IM) ketamine.

Men suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are diagnosed at half the rate of women but die by suicide 3 to 4 times as frequently (Swetlitz, 2021). Researchers argue that one of the key reasons behind this phenomenon is how societal gender processes affect how men and boys present depression and that “male-typical” symptoms of depression should be incorporated when assessing a diagnosis (Swetlitz, 2021). This literature review will cover the background and significance of MDD, how it affects young adult men, and how counselors can appropriately support this population. It will also focus on the role of other identity layers, such as culture, race, and economic status, in young adult men with MDD. In the results, one will find several critical influences behind why gender-role cultures create a bias toward men being underdiagnosed with depression. This will also cover how men suffering from this disorder can present in ways that might not be seen as a traditional diagnosis for MDD.

One of the most effective ways to treat depression and anxiety is through psychotherapy. Research continues to show that it is not the type of therapy that matters most in treatment outcomes - it is the relationship you build with your therapist. I compare finding your therapist to like dating - it has to be a “fit.”

Sometimes we may find that our thoughts feel overwhelming, we get wrapped up in them, or that they may tend to dictate how our day goes. We may find that our thoughts change the ways we behave, which may lead to a cycle of negative behavior or feelings. Uncomfortable thoughts may be seen in people experiencing anxiety, depression, and a variety of other mental health concerns. It is possible to find detachment from our thoughts with the practice of cognitive defusion.

Behavioral Activation (BA) is a therapy skill that can be done with or without Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy highlighting how thinking, behavior, and feelings are all inter-related and directly involved with one’s mental health. BA specifically focuses on the behavior portion involved in our mental health.

Our very own Dr. Layne Gritti, DO was featured in a national blog published by the American Psychiatric Association discussing the impact of birth trauma on women. Refer to https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/maternal-mental-health-and-birth-trauma to read the entire blog.

Help is always out there! If you are experiencing an acute crisis after hours or if your clinician is not available, we recommend the following national resources in addition to other local Charleston resources listed on our main webpage.

Two of our favorite evidence-based treatments for depression that we offer at our Mount Pleasant, SC location are Spravato / esketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Both transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato (esketamine) are FDA-approved treatments for treatment-resistant depression.