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Did you know that at least one in five adults in the United States have a mental illness? That’s roughly 51.5 million adults across the nation!

Despite those large numbers, however, many people are ashamed of their anxiety, depression, overwhelming feelings of sadness, and trauma. That’s why, if you or someone you care about have a mental illness, no matter how great or small, you’re not alone.

In fact, many of our favorite celebrities are battling and overcoming mental illness in the public eye. They are even opening up about it to destigmatize the negative aura surrounding mental health issues.

Here’s a list of some of the most recognized household names, who are unfortunately experiencing the same feelings you might be experiencing:

Prince Harry

Nearly two decades following his mother’s death (the beloved Princess Diana), Prince Harry came close to having a mental health crisis. In 2017, he opened up during an interview with The Telegraph, admitting that he experienced severe anxiety during royal events during that time.

He also confesses that he saw a mental health professional, which helped him get to a better place.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato is one of the more outspoken celebrities known to advocate for mental illness after a rough battle with bulimia, bipolar disorder, and drug addiction.

She even recently produced a mental health documentary, “Beyond Silence,” giving a detailed view of her struggles and her road to recovery.

Chris Evans

One of the less vocal but still truthful celebrities dealing with mental illness is Chris Evans. Back in 2016, the Captain America star mentioned in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine about his social anxiety.

He admitted that walking the red carpet was much like walking on hot coals, and he’s tried multiple methods, including meditation, to help calm his mind. While meditation has helped, he still experiences this anxiety today.

Kendrick Lamar

We don’t often view rappers as anything but fierce. However, Kendrick Lamar revealed his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts lyrically in one of his recent albums, “To Pimp a Butterfly.”

During an MTV interview, he discussed how the survivor’s guilt from losing his closest friends led to depression.

Chrissy Teigen

We all know that Chrissy Teigen is anything but quiet. But, when she opened up about her mental health regarding experiencing postpartum depression, mothers everywhere felt seen and heard.

While Chrissy Teigen isn’t the only celebrity to open up about postpartum depression, she was among the first to publicly speak about it, paving the way for a much bigger conversation and for mothers everywhere to seek professional support after childbirth.

Jim Carey

Jim Carey is notorious for making his fans laugh out loud. Sometimes, however, it’s the person that’s always smiling and making others feel good who is feeling terrible on the inside.

Jim Carey admitted to experiencing depression and to taking fluoxetine (Prozac) to help. Eventually, he decided to get off the medication by implementing lifestyle modifications, despite the difficulty involved.

There are many more celebrities struggling with mental illness. There are even more non-celebrities suffering as well. The silver lining is that everyone is beginning to open up about their mental health, which is an essential step in getting rid of the stigma surrounding “needing help.”

Remember, your mental health illness doesn’t have to be severe to warrant professional help. Everyone deserves to live a happy and healthy life, so if you’re experiencing and signs or symptoms of a mental health illness, no matter how mild, reach out to us today. Elevate Psychiatry specializes in a variety of professional and affordable mental health services.

We all get down or have the blues from time to time. For some of us, it’s seasonal or situational. For others, it’s consistent, lasting all year round, and affecting our daily routine.

Here’s the thing about depression: it can take on different forms. It can also be difficult to pin down what an individual is feeling, why he or she is having symptoms, and what it all means. The most common forms of depression include the holiday blues, seasonal affective disorder, and major depressive disorder.

In this article, we’re going to give you an overview of all three and how they’re connected. Read on to learn more!

What We Mean By the ‘Holiday Blues’

You’ve likely heard of or have experienced the holiday blues at some point in your life. The holiday blues are marked by feelings of sadness, anxiety, loneliness, and depression throughout the holiday season, typically November through January.

Even people who genuinely love the holidays can experience the holiday blues to various extents. This is because the holidays are a rather stressful and demanding time, not to mention they can be incredibly exhausting.

The most common symptom of the holiday blues is sadness, whether it’s persistent or recurring. It also ranges in intensity and duration. For example, an individual can experience the holiday blues in waves, going through a period of sadness followed by feeling upbeat and happy.

Being affected by the holiday blues doesn’t necessarily mean that an individual has depression or a mental health disorder. It’s not even recognized as a formal mental health condition by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V).

However, individuals who have a mental health condition tend to be more prone to experiencing the holiday blues. Up to 64% of people with a diagnosed mental illness have reported that the holidays put a strain on their condition.

Additionally, the holiday blues could also be an early symptom of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is itself a form of major depressive disorder (MDD).

The holiday blues and SAD can be a bit difficult to distinguish from one another but are often characterized by their severity and duration. So, if the holiday season has passed and you or someone you love is still experiencing feelings of sadness, anxiety, etc., it’s a good idea to get a mental health professional’s opinion.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Vs. Major Depressive Disorder

While SAD is a form of MDD, one does not characterize the other. SAD is a type of depression related to the changes in season. It begins and ends roughly around the same time each year, usually during the fall and winter months, ending by springtime. However, it can also be triggered during the spring and summer months, although this is less common.

The symptoms of SAD are much more severe compared to the holiday blues. They’re also much more persistent, whereas the holiday blues are marked by waves of sadness and happiness.

MDD, on the other hand, is what mental health professionals also refer to as clinical depression. While SAD can be a stepping stone towards a significant decline of an individual’s mental health, MDD is much more persistent and severe in its symptoms than SAD. For example, the symptoms of MDD don’t go away once spring arrives; instead, they last all year round.

The severity of the symptoms between SAD and MDD can overlap and make the duration of the signs a defining factor between them.

Regardless of which form of depression you or someone you love may be experiencing, it’s always a good idea to seek the support of a mental health professional. No one should have to endure periods of sadness, anxiety, loneliness, or depression without support.

That’s what we’re here for. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you take care of your mental health throughout every season

Herbal remedies have been used for various ailments, including mental health disorders, since the beginning of time. While modern medicine has done its part in alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even ADHD, prescription medications tend to come with some unwanted side effects.

Today, many individuals are beginning to look for more natural means of long-term support for their mental health and wellness. That includes exploring traditional uses of herbs and supplements as they are used in practices such as Ayurveda.

In this article, we’re going to discuss some of the most popular herbs and extracts that have the potential to treat some of the most common mental health disorders. Read on to learn more.

St. John’s Wort for Depression

St. John’s Wort has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to mitigate the body’s balance, ease inflammation, and alleviate sore muscles. Outside of Ayurvedic medicine, St. John’s Wort has been used traditionally to lift individuals’ mood, relieve muscle cramps, and stop convulsions.

Now, there’s ample research showing that the bright yellow flowers of the shrub have therapeutic benefits that can treat mild cases of depression.

St. John’s Wort contains several chemicals, with the most prominent ones being hypericin and hyperforin. Both hypericin and hyperforin act on the brain’s neurotransmitters that affect and regulate mood in those suffering from depression.

Additionally, St. John’s Wort is also effective at alleviating depression-related symptoms such as fatigue, nervousness, and insomnia.

Passionflower Extract for Anxiety

Passionflower extract, which comes from the passiflora incarnata, has been used traditionally by the indigenous Peruvians and Native Americans to treat wounds, aches, liver problems, and more. In Europe, the flower has been used to calm those with restlessness.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), more research is needed to assess and verify the flower’s ability to treat certain mental health conditions. However, various studies have suggested that certain species of the Passionflower may help relieve anxiety and insomnia. In one study, Passionflower extract was equivalent to the benzodiazepine oxazepam.

Various trials have shown that participants drinking a daily dose of Passionflower herbal tea for up to seven days saw improvement in their sleep quality and overall feelings of calmness. Aside from anxiety-related symptoms, other species of Passionflower have shown potential for treating stomach issues.

Korean Red Ginseng for ADHD

Korean Red Ginseng, also referred to as Panax Ginseng, is well-regarded as a natural, total-body health supplement. It has been used as an ancient medicine throughout Asia to strengthen the immune system, fight off disease, and promote relaxation. Other variants of the root have also been used to treat diabetes, erectile dysfunction (ED), high blood pressure, and more.

A clinical study from 2011 Showed promising results for Korean Red Ginseng as a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study monitored 18 participants between the ages of 6 and 14 diagnosed with ADHD for up to eight weeks and was found to be equivalent to methylphenidate (Ritalin), as measured by quantitative EEG.

During this time, the participants were given 1,000 milligrams twice daily of the Korean Red Ginseng. The results showed improvement in the participants’ feelings of anxiety, sleep quality, overall behavior, and social functioning.

Getting to the Root of the Disorder

While natural herbal remedies such as St. John’s Wort, Passionflower, and Korean Red Ginseng may bring most individuals relief from their mental health disorders, it’s important to note that they’re not miracle cures. Studies and clinical trials are still ongoing to measure the potential of these herbs and their long-term effects—both positive and negative.

Additionally, if you or someone you love is currently battling a mental health disorder, it’s critical to speak with a physician before adding any of these herbal supplements to your daily regimen—especially if you’re already taking prescription medication.

It’s also important to seek the appropriate help to get to the root of your mental health disorders. At Elevate Psychiatry, we can help you with that. Contact us today to learn more about the accessible services we offer or to book an appointment.

Ketamine is most commonly known for its use as an anesthetic. However, its applications are further advancing in the medical world. It’s now proven effective for treating conditions such as depression, OCD, PTSD, and even pain.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects more than 246 million people worldwide, making it one of the most common mental disorders next to anxiety. Anxiety disorders, including OCD and PTSD, affect 284 million people worldwide.

While some people are more biologically prone to depression and anxiety, most people will experience one or both of these mental afflictions at some point in their life. For the more severe cases, ketamine may be the answer.

Keep reading to learn more about ketamine and its derivatives and their role in treating depression and anxiety disorders.

What Can Ketamine Do For My Depression and Anxiety?

Today, most depression and anxiety disorders are treated with one or more generic antidepressants, like benzodiazepine. There’s also SSRI and SNRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, respectively). Different cognitive and mental behavioral therapies are also among the traditional and more intensive treatments.

However, patients who are non-responsive to traditional treatments and therapies are often put through various clinical trials of other medications and treatments. Despite these efforts, up to 40% of patients never experience revocation from these mental disorders.

With the accumulation of clinical research and trial-based evidence, medical professionals believe that ketamine may succeed where other treatments fail. It is not yet entirely understood how ketamine works, but it’s largely thought to have an effect on glutamate production.

Glutamate is a neurotransmitter responsible for mitigating the brain’s response to stress and traumatic memory development. Ketamine’s composition makes it an NMDA receptor antagonist. That means ketamine targets the NMDA receptors in the brain, allowing for an increase in glutamate.

Ketamine also interacts with the brain’s AMPA receptors. AMPA receptors allow for the release of certain molecules that support neuron communication. This action creates a new path for your mood, thought patterns, and other cognitive functions to develop.

In essence, ketamine mitigates the brain’s response pathways in a way that achieves a more positive and healthy thought pattern.

What About Esketamine?

If you’ve heard of “Spravato” or “Ketanest” before, that’s esketamine. Esketamine is a derivative of ketamine that comes in the form of a nasal spray or injectable.

More specifically, it’s the S-enantiomer to the R-enantiomer of ketamine, which is medical speak for having more NMDA glutamate receptor potency. Esketamine was recently approved by the FDA to treat refractory—treatment-resistant—depression.

Esketamine’s prescriptive purpose is to treat refractory depression. It’s mostly reserved for those who experience intense suicidal thoughts. Therefore, it’s unlikely for your doctor to prescribe it before trying other forms of treatment.

Are Esketamine and Ketamine Infusions Right For Me?

Eskatime and ketamine are the evolution of antidepressant treatment. To find out if esketamine or ketamine infusion treatment is right for you, you need to be fully evaluated by a mental health professional.

If you have more questions regarding esketamine and ketamine treatment, or you’d like to know about the mental health services we provide, reach out to us. And remember, you’re not alone.