Our Wellness Blog
At BasePoint Academy we are committed to going above and beyond for our patients as well as the communities in which we serve. As part of that ongoing effort we feel that providing free information on psychiatry, counseling and wellness is an important part of that commitment, particularly in an age where everything is digestible on the internet.
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Our blog is here to keep you up to date on the most recent developments in mental health. While our blog is not written by a doctor and should not be taken as medical advice, it is here to provide useful information to those affected by mental health problems either directly or indirectly.
Should You Mix Antidepressants And Alcohol?
It’s pretty common for teenagers who are dealing with mental health challenges to get a prescription for antidepressant medications. These medications are generally safe, can be highly effective, and often help teenagers succeed in school and in their personal lives as well as just generally feel better. But should you mix antidepressants and alcohol [1]? While antidepressants aren’t necessarily something that everyone needs to take forever after they get a prescription, they are most effective when you take them every day over an extended timeframe. Most antidepressants don’t even reach full effectiveness until you’ve been on your full maintenance dose of
What Is Meant By Endogenous Depression?
Did you know that most teens with depression aren’t receiving any treatment for the condition? There are a lot of reasons why teens aren’t getting the mental health treatments [1] they need and deserve. Some of it is a misunderstanding. After all, a lot of us grow up being told that getting the teenage blues is normal, and not necessarily a sign that there is a treatable condition that explains our moods. Teens may not always feel comfortable talking about what they’re feeling and thinking – especially if they grow up somewhere where mental health struggle is stigmatized. In some
What Is Depression?
These days, many people are talking about mental health and different mental health disorders and discussing things like what is depression? [1] That’s a good thing! But it also means that there can be a lot of misinformation out there about different disorders, what they look like, and how they can affect the people who have them. Unfortunately, even when it comes to the most common mental health disorders, the media often mischaracterizes the disorder in ways that can be harmful for the people living with the real thing. So, let’s talk about what depression actually is, what it looks
What Is Situational Depression?
One of the hardest things to understand about depression is that it can be both something that is caused by a situation and something that is caused by abnormal function in your brain and body. Both types of depression are valid, and it can often be hard to tell what you’re dealing with in the moment. After all, most situational depression [1] feels pretty similar to being depressed with chronic depression or another mental illness. The trick is that these types of depression are different, need different kinds of support, and are best addressed by different things. On the surface,
What Is Unipolar Depression
While most people have at least some idea what depression is, one of the things that are still missing from our general discussion about mental health and depression specifically is that there is more than one form of depression. These different kinds of depression require various forms of treatment and responses from the people around the person dealing with it. Especially when a teenager first starts showing signs of depression [1], it’s important to have realistic and accurate information about what they are dealing with. Both the teen themselves and the people around them can benefit from knowing what depression
What Does SIGECAPS Mean?
SIGECAPS is not a name commonly heard, but if you’ve been researching depression for you or someone you know, you may have come across the term. This useful mnemonic tool is one of the go-to ways to evaluate symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders, but it can also be useful for parents and people in general to evaluate their own mental health, or to be better prepared to spot mental health problems in others. Here’s what you need to know about SIGECAPS, how the acronym is used, and what symptoms [1] it’s looking for. Remember, while SIGECAPS can
What Is Chronic Depression?
Chronic depression [1] can sound like a frightening disorder, but it’s important to understand what chronic depression is and isn’t, especially if you know or suspect that your teen might be dealing with the disorder. Unfortunately, the media, especially media made about or for teenagers, can get a lot of things wrong when it comes to depression, which can make depression harder to recognize when someone you love is actually dealing with the disorder. In some cases, bad media portrayals can even influence how people dealing with depression show symptoms and behave. With all that in mind, it’s important to get
How To Deal With High-Functioning Depression
Being a teenager is hard enough, but it’s even harder if you’re dealing with something like high functioning depression. Unfortunately, many teens that are dealing with depression get missed because they fall into a category that’s a little different from typical depression, high functioning depression [1]. Families should know that there is more than one kind of depression and that teens that are still doing well in school and seem to be functioning fine can still have depression hiding underneath. Lets talk about high-functioning depression, how it’s different from other kinds of depression, and how it’s very similar. What Is
Signs Of Bipolar Depression In Teens
Bipolar depression is a mood disorder in which people experience severe mood swings that alternate between bouts of depression and episodes of mania. It can be difficult to correctly diagnose mood disorders in teens because they often struggle with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and eating disorders. Signs of bipolar depression often emerge during the teenage years while the brain is still developing and is more vulnerable to stress. Signs of a manic episode include reckless behavior such as overspending and substance abuse, and some signs of a depressive episode include disrupted sleeping patterns and suicidal thoughts and
What Depression In Teen Girls Looks Like
Depression in teen girls can sometimes present itself differently than in teen boys. This can result from upbringing or the pressures of society and gender identity. Even now, as our society is changing its views on gender roles, it can create depressive disorders as teens figure out their place in the world. We previously explored what depression in teen boys looks like. Now, we venture into how depression affects the average teenage girl. What Does Depression In Teens Look Like? Depression in teens can look the same as for the adults in their lives. They may isolate, become moody, and
Teens And Interrupted Sleeping Patterns: How Social Media Affects Their Brain
Spending too much time on social media has many negative effects on teens. One of the most significant ways screen time affects teens’ sleep hygiene is by using phones or computers before bed. The blue light from screens disrupts the body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep, and can cause sleep disorders such as insomnia. Sleep is a time for regeneration and repair, but blue light signals the brain that it’s daytime. A lack of sleep can contribute to many health concerns and makes it more challenging to deal with life in general. Teens and interrupted sleeping
What Depression In Teen Boys Looks Like
Depression is a mental health disorder that affects people of all ages and backgrounds, including teenage boys. In recent years, speaking about this important topic has become more common, but it’s important to realize that depression in teen boys is different than for teenage girls and vice versa. Recognizing the warning signs of depression in a friend or family member can be life-saving, and the right information will empower you to help yourself and others. What Does Depression In Teens Look Like? In general, depression symptoms in teens can manifest as mood swings, oversleeping, and experiencing low energy. The symptoms
