Psych Matters Blog
Coronavirus: Managing Mental Health
As we all navigate this confusing and changing new normal, one of the questions for healthcare workers becomes - how do I take care of myself? I know I need to stay home when I’m sick, I know I need to wash my hands and use PPE, but how do I manage the ongoing anxiety that uncertainty, risk and constant change bring?
It’s Sleep Awareness Week – Are you Getting Good ZZZs?
While good sleep is associated with improved mood and functioning, it is also associated with reduced relapse into depression, anxiety, bipolar episodes, and substance use. If you are concerned about mental health, thinking about ways to improve your sleep should be part of the picture.
February is Heart Health Awareness Month
Cardiovascular disease and mental illness are among the top contributors to death and disability in the United States. This makes monitoring a heart patient’s mental health just as important as treating their physical condition. Dr. Lane shares with us how a cardiovascular diagnosis can affect us, our loved ones, and how to cope with a diagnosis in a healthy way.
Psilocybin and OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder in which people have obsessive thoughts and fears that cause them to act compulsively. Due to its unique symptoms, the stigma associated with OCD can make it difficult for people to be open about their diagnosis and ask for help. However, recent research by Dr. Francisco Moreno, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona, and his team, is emphasizing a new way to manage the symptoms of OCD, with the use of psilocybin.
Mindfulness and the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us! During this time of year the joy, magic, and meaning of the season can also include stress and other feelings including sadness and anxiety. Dr. Mirsky, Mindfulness Clinic Director, at Banner-UMC Adult Psychiatry Clinic, shares with us how we can use mindfulness to turn towards these difficult emotions, understand they are ok and allow ourselves to feel what we are feeling.