Sleep plays a vital role in our physical and mental health, and no one is more aware of that role than those who struggle with sleep. The thought of insomnia can even become anxiety-provoking. Everyone experiences insomnia from time to time, but if this persists for more than one month, we call this “chronic insomnia.”

The National Depression Hotline (nationaldepressionhotline.org) stands as a beacon of hope for those navigating the fog of depression. This free, confidential service offers a supportive ear, professional advice, and the first step towards recovery, 24/7.

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?

We encourage you to have a different and more mindful perspective, a different approach to how you respond to stress. You are free to choose how you react to the stimulus instead of being a victim and simply just reacting to your environment. You are free to question assumptions, analyze resources, problem solve, and strategize. Your life can and should be dictated by you. You can choose to react differently to stress. You don’t have to be a victim anymore. We want to teach you about proactive coping, stress reduction, and living a principle-centered life.

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.

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.

At Sweetgrass Psychiatry, we know panic attacks. This is one of the most common issues that we see and treat. Panic attacks can be debilitating and lead to panic disorder. It is extremely important to receive treatment and the necessary coping skills to combat panic attacks.

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.

One condition that we treat regularly at Sweetgrass Psychiatry is trichotillomania. It can be debilitating and we are passionate about helping people with this relatively common condition. Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, is a mental health condition that involves recurrent, irresistible urges to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other parts of the body. It can be common for affected individuals to spend hours per day hair pulling. Treatment for trichotillomania typically includes a combination of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication.

At Sweetgrass Psychiatry, we believe everyone deserves the best mental health care treatment and a seat at our table regardless of gender identity, sexual identity, race, ethnicity, religion, age (we are working on providing more services for children), abilities/disabilities, socioeconomic level (which is why we proudly take insurance), and educational status.

How do I know if I should see a psychologist or a psychiatrist? This is a question we get asked a lot here at Sweetgrass Psychiatry!