Disordered eating encompasses a range of unhealthy eating habits, such as skipping meals, obsessing over “clean” foods, following restrictive diets, overeating, and feeling anxious about eating in social situations. These behaviors can often progress into more serious eating disorders. In fact, studies show that 18.75% of female college students are at risk for developing an eating disorder, with many engaging in behaviors like binge eating or self-induced vomiting. A staggering 91% of college women have dieted at some point to control their weight.

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.

Ketamine, originally known as a powerful anesthetic, has gained attention for its rapid antidepressant effects by acting on the NMDA receptor and modulating glutamate in the brain. In controlled clinical settings, ketamine has proven efficacy in treating severe and treatment-resistant depression. However, the growing trend of using ketamine at home, often without medical supervision, raises significant concerns.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!