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Category Archives: Mental Health
Straight, No Chaser: When Eating Goes Wrong, Part II – Bulimia
If you read Part I of this conversation on eating disorders (anorexia nervosa), you will recall that eating disorders are a mix of an abnormal body image combined with abnormal b
Straight, No Chaser: When Eating Goes Wrong, Part I – Anorexia
Simply put, our society doesn’t do the job it should in promoting a normal image of health at either end of the body size spectrum. The typically promoted American ideal of b
Straight, No Chaser: About Stalking
Although stalking awareness conversations aren’t held very often, the scope of stalking is such that you should know about it. Stalking is a serious endeavor, and unfortunately i
Straight, No Chaser In The News: A Significant Advance in Alzheimer's Research
It isn’t an overstatement to note the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s is the white whale of medical researchers. Alzheimer’s currently affects approximately 5.3 million Ame
Straight No Chaser: Your Stress Management Plan
The path to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” isn’t as simple as the song suggests, but if the song had a heart, it would be in the right place. Today’s contribution to your New Ye
Straight, No Chaser: Pass The Stress Test
Let’s agree not to go into the New Year filled with last year’s tension or without a plan to avoid new stress. In fact, let’s take this time to lay the groundwork for one now
Straight, No Chaser: The Intersection of Health and Happiness, aka Merry Christmas!
Straight, No Chaser isn’t a medical encyclopedia. It’s a tool to empower you to make choices that best suit your lifestyle – the intersection between health a
General Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Neurology, Pediatrics/Kids Health, Public Health, Skin/Dermatology, Toxicology/Drugs, Health Prevention, Musculoskeletal System
Straight, No Chaser In the News: Lead Poisoning
In the news is the story of dozens of cases of lead poisoning in Flint, Michigan, resulting from elevated levels of lead in the city’s drinking water supply. This followed&n
Straight, No Chaser: Depression – How to Avoid It, When to Get Help
This is the third post in a series on depression and suicide. In our first post, we focused on the magnitude of clinical depression and suicide. In the second post, we provided
Straight, No Chaser: Are You Depressed and/or Suicidal?
In our first post on clinical depression and suicide, we looked at the scope of the disease, and in the next post we will provide tips for you to address depression and an inclina
Straight, No Chaser: Suicide Data – Understand the Threat
There are amazing, shocking and saddening facts about suicide. It is equally amazing that we aren’t discussing this as an epidemic. Consider the following information provide
Straight, No Chaser: Tips to Deal with Depression and The Holiday Blues
I don’t mean to bring anyone down during what is supposed to be the ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ but in reality there are many people hurting. For some, life’s traged
Straight, No Chaser: Sexual Deviances and Perversions (Paraphilias)
This is a serious conversation that I won’t sensationalize or joke about. The mental health disorders known as paraphilias (commonly referred to as sexual deviancies or perversio
Straight, No Chaser: Personality Disorder Screening Quiz – Now It’s Your Turn!
It’s been an interesting week of responses from you on the series of personality disorders. The most common comment was a request for an ability to test oneself. I’ll provide t
Straight, No Chaser: Obsessive-Compulsive, Avoidant and Dependent Personality Disorders
The final group of personality disorders we will review involves excessive fears expressed through thoughts or behaviors. They include avoidant personality disorder, dependent pers
Straight, No Chaser: Narcissistic, Histrionic, Antisocial and Borderline Personality Disorders
Again, I need to start with a disclaimer, lest all the armchair psychiatrists out there start diagnosing everyone you know. The Cluster B personality disorders are defined by drama
Straight, No Chaser: Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders
I’d imagine that if you’re reading this, it’s not necessarily because the topic is interesting but because you may be wondering if these are applicable to someone you know. W
Straight, No Chaser: Understanding Personality Disorders
Mental health really is taken for granted. Your ability to cope and exist within your environment is a fundamental determinant of your quality of life. Psychoses are severe, unheal
Straight, No Chaser: Self-Assessment for Signs of Early Dementia or Alzheimer’s
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Each of us has elderly family members for whom we may be concerned about their memory or other possible signs of
Straight, No Chaser: Domestic Violence – How to Get Out of an Abusive Situation
Remember: You are not to blame, and you need not face domestic violence alone. With the recent attention in the news on domestic violence and debates about responses and responsibi
