Bipolar Disorder
Written By: Dr. Joao De Quevedo What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a psychiatric condition that causes unusual shifts in mood state, sleep, energy and activity levels. The person can have a period of…
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
Written By: Dr. Joao De Quevedo What is seasonal affective disorder? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. It is a mood-related condition that affects almost 5% of the U.S. population annually and…
The Genetics of Depression: Unraveling the Molecular Tapestry
Written by Dr. Joao De Quevedo Depression, a prevalent and debilitating mental health disorder, has long been recognized as having a multifactorial etiology, with genetic factors playing a substantial role. This essay delves into the intricate interplay between genetics and…
The Serotonin Basis of Depression: Unraveling the Neurochemical Web
Written By: Dr. Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Depression, a pervasive and debilitating mental health disorder, has long been a subject of scientific inquiry. Among the myriad factors contributing to its complex etiology, serotonin, a neurotransmitter, has emerged as…
Pharmacogenetics-Guided Treatment for Depression: A Personalized Approach to Mental Health
Written by: Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Depression is a complex mental health disorder affecting millions worldwide, with a myriad of contributing factors ranging from genetic predispositions to environmental stressors. Traditional approaches to treating depression often involve a trial-and-error method,…
FDA Approval of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Written by: Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of neuromodulation and mental health care….
Youth suicidality: What is it and what is UTHealth Houston Department of Psychiatry doing about it?
Written By: Meaghan Cowles, LCSW-S The month of September is known as suicide awareness month and a lot of attention is brought to the topic. Youth suicidality is when a young person, typically between the ages of 10 to 24…
Post-Concussive Depression – It’s real, it’s serious, and it happens a lot.
Written by: Deborah M. Little, PhD Scope of the problem: In the United States alone, there are an estimated 2.5 million new brain injuries each year. This number continues to increase as our surveillance of injuries continues to improve. Background:…
May the 4th be with you!
Written by: Katherine Miner, LCSW Yoda [points to a cave opening beneath a large tree] “That place… is strong with the dark side of the Force. A domain of evil it is. In you must go.” Luke: “What’s in there?”…
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood
Written by: Amy K. Izuno-Garcia, PhD NCSP, Katherine A. Loveland, PhD Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood April is Autism Acceptance month. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by differences in social communication and interaction as well as…