Houston Psychiatrist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Book Appointment
  • Staff
  • Online Psychiatry
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Appointments & Fees
  • Office Policies
  • Forms
  • Services
    • Houston Ketamine Therapy
    • Cypress Texas Psychiatrist
    • Therapy Houston

Psychiatry Blog

Discussing topics like how to find a psychiatrist, psychiatrist vs. counselor, what is psychotherapy, and much more.


​Our blog is meant to provide information and answers to common questions in psychiatry, cognitive behavioral therapy, mental illness, mental health professionals, talk therapy, psychologists, substance abuse, and anything else that would be helpful to those seeking mental health information. Knowing how to find a good psychiatrist, and what a licensed psychiatrist is will help you in your search.

Cocaine Side Effects: The Dangers of Taking Cocaine

2/24/2021

1 Comment

 
cocaine side effects
Cocaine is a very addictive drug, a stimulant, which increases one's alertness, attention, and energy while having a myriad of  side effects. It comes from the coca plant, native to South America, having other names such as coke, crack, rock, snow, among others, coming in different forms, including a fine, white powder or solid rock crystal.  It is illegal in the United States
​

Cocaine Side Effects

There are different ways to take cocaine. One can snort the fine, white powder into their nose, rubbing it into the gums, or dissolving it in water to inject the liquid using a needle.  Other times, the rock crystal is heated to breathe the smoke.

After inhaling or consuming cocaine, the drug will then send very high levels of dopamine, which is a natural chemical messenger in the body, into the parts of your brain controlling your pleasure. This is what would cause intense feelings of alertness and energy, also known as feeling high. 

Cocaine effects people differently. Some report feeling a high, such as feelings of intense euphoria. Others report feeling anxiety or pain, even experiencing hallucinations. 

Either way, the buildup of dopamine is the reason why people misuse cocaine to the point of abuse and/or dependence. The body is wired to fulfill the craving for that dopamine. Cocaine changes the neurochemistry, which leads to a substance use disorder. Satisfying this craving only increases the risk of the long term effects of cocaine abuse. That is why cocaine is very addictive and illegal.

So while you might think the higher levels of dopamine is a great feeling, this is only a short-term effect. The "high" feeling is intense yet short-lived, and once you are "back to normal", you may end up feeling the exact opposite. One may experience intense depression, lack of sleep and appetite, increased heart rate, convulsions, and muscle spasms. 

Cocaine users might also feel angry, anxious, hostile, and/or paranoid, even when they aren't using the drug at that time. It leaves them wanting more of the drug as an attempt to evade such negative feelings and emotions
​

​Short-term Cocaine Side Effects

  • Loss of appetite and sleep
  • Increased body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate
  • Contracted blood vessels
  • Increased breathing rate
  • Hyperstimulation
  • Erratic or violent behavior
  • Hallucinations or hyperexcitability
  • Nausea
  • Anxiety, depression, panic, paranoia, or psychosis
  • Convulsions, seizures, or even sudden death after an overdose

​Long-term Cocaine Side Effects

  • Permanent damage to heart and brain blood vessels
  • Organ damage, including the kidney, liver, and lungs
  • High blood pressure, increasing the chances of heart problems
  • Respiratory failure if cocaine was smoked
  • Destruction of nose tissue if cocaine was sniffed
  • Infectious diseases and/or abscesses if cocaine was injected
  • Weight loss and malnutrition
  • Tooth decay
  • Sexual problems and infertility
  • Experiencing hallucination, delirium, depression, or psychosis
  • Cocaine dependence and addiction even after taking it once

This is just the start to list all of the side effects. Continual usage and increasing to higher doses of cocaine can lead to a cocaine overdose, heart attack or other life-threatening medical emergencies. If you or someone know you exhibits these side effects and are high dose cocaine users, they should seek treatment immediately.

Wrapping It Up
Cocaine has very serious side effects, especially when taking it in large amounts and for a long time. It may even cause death from overdosing on the drug.

If you or someone you know struggles with a cocaine addiction, then do reach out to a medical professional for help and intervention immediately.
1 Comment

Treating Debilitating Anxiety

2/17/2021

5 Comments

 
Picture
Anxiety is a normal emotion we all experience occasionally; may it be due to stress at work or fear of certain things and situations. Even the calmest and most relaxed people know what it feels like to be anxious, nervous, or worried in moments when they are taken away from their comfort zone.
 
Unfortunately, anxiety it isn’t always a routine emotion, with over 40 million adults in the United States suffering from debilitating anxiety or other forms of anxiety disorders. Not only can this be painful and uncomfortable, but it can also affect one’s way of living.
 
Here are things you need to know about how your debilitating anxiety can be treated:
 
1.Relaxation Techniques and Other Therapies
 
There are relaxation techniques one can follow on their own with the guidance of a therapist or psychiatrist to treat anxiety and recover from triggers and attacks, including:

  • Yoga to help calm the mind and reduce stress
  • A guided meditation that utilizes imagery and suggestion with audio tracks, so the patient is on a journey to feel deeply relaxed
  • Art therapy, including drawing, painting, or sketching to express negative feelings
  • Deep breathing techniques to increase mindfulness
  • Mindfulness training to help reduce the distracting or disturbing thoughts, acknowledging the moment and senses, accepting the experience without further negativity
  • Massage therapy can relieve stress by manipulating one’s soft muscle tissue, releasing toxins while increasing blood flow
  • Aromatherapy offers various health benefits and is known to help with relaxation and reduce anxiety
  • Aerobic therapy helps bodies produce serotonin and dopamine, along with release endorphins to help with stress
 
2.Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
 
This is a common form of therapy that involves practice and homework. It involves various strategies to change the response to triggers and any underlying causes of negative emotions.
 
Furthermore, it helps in identifying possible triggers, thoughts, or related actions that cause anxiety attacks. Through identifying triggers, it can help patients avoid them or work through finding ways to change negative thoughts and perspective towards the trigger.
 
CBT also includes learning coping skills and relaxation techniques to manage the severe symptoms of anxiety. See your psychiatrist or counselor for help with CBT.
 
3.Exposure through Forms of Talk Therapy
 
This type of treatment is sometimes recommended for trauma-related anxiety or phobias, which will guide patients to discuss the trauma or fear, working through it slowly. Through thinking, discussing, and feeling emotions towards the anxiety-provoking subject, or prolonged exposure to the subject can help dissipate the negative response towards it gradually.
 
 
4.Medication
 
There are medications that your doctor may prescribe to treat anxiety or panic disorders. Such medications include:

  • Benzodiazepines for short-term use
  • SSRI or SNRI antidepressants, either for long-term use or situational events
 
 
When one’s response to anxiety becomes excessive, it may become debilitating, affecting one’s relationships, work, and ability to function when paralyzed in fear. It can also cause physical symptoms, such as insomnia, agitation, chronic pain, or weight changes.
 
If you believe you or a loved one has debilitating anxiety, do have it checked by a medical professional for treatment. Some tools can help one recover from such anxiety disorders, and the earlier it is treated, the better.
Picture
5 Comments

Nervous Stomach

2/10/2021

16 Comments

 

​How to Calm Down a Nervous Stomach

Picture
You’ve probably felt it before- the flutter in your stomach when you’re about to speak in front of a crowd, talking with a crush, or facing a huge fear. However, the discomfort and ‘butterflies’ in your stomach can feel much worse, to the point it’s painful and can lead to gastrointestinal issues.
 
This is what we call a ‘nervous stomach’, which is one of the many prime examples of how our emotions can affect our bodies, physically. But what does a nervous stomach mean and how can we get rid of it?
 
We'll be tackling the causes, symptoms, and treatment for the nervous stomach.
 
Causes and Symptoms of a Nervous Stomach
Our gastrointestinal systems have their own nervous systems, known as the enteric nervous system. The nerve endings in our stomach respond to stress hormones that are transmitted from our brains, a part of the flight-or-fight response we have. This response causes our stress hormones to signal our stomachs to slow down, which helps more blood to pump in our hearts, lungs, and muscles.
 
High-stress levels can trigger the flight-or-fight response, causing our stomach to 'act up'. Stress levels and triggers vary from person to person, though common triggers include:

  • Fear or upcoming events that trigger nervousness
  • Financial issues
  • Relationship or family issues
  • Changes in work or school
  • Moving
  • Chronic illness
  • Death or loss of loved ones
 
Those with a nervous stomach can give people ‘butterflies’, which is a normal and mild feeling. Sometimes, it can go as far as making the person feel like they want to vomit.
 
Other times, the symptoms can get worse, mirroring the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. Here are symptoms associated with a nervous stomach:

  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Delayed gastric emptying
  • Frequent flatulence
  • Indigestion
  • Fluttering or warm feeling in the pit of your stomach
 
Take note that this is different from irritable bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis. If you experience other symptoms related to the mentioned disorders, do have it checked with a doctor for immediate treatment.
 
What You Can Do About It
The first thing you should do to treat the nervous stomach is to identify your stress triggers, which can help you know how to address them and reduce the symptoms. It’s also best to have it checked with your doctor to rule out any gastrointestinal disorders.
 
Treatments for the nervous stomach include:

  • Seeking professional treatment and therapy to reduce stress
  • Medication for anxiety and depression
  • Meditation and other stress-relieving techniques, such as breathing exercises or repeating a mantra
  • Other stress-relieving activities like journaling, reading, exercising, talking to loved ones, or even listening to music
  • Taking frequent breaks from work or school, if these are the main triggers of stress hormones. This can prevent the nervous stomach
  • Avoiding food that can worsen an already upset nervous stomach, such as caffeinated beverages, dairy products, among others
  • Using natural remedies such as ginger teas, supplements, or essential oils
 
Wrapping It Up
Having a nervous stomach can be quite painful and uncomfortable, leading to long-term issues. However, when you are more knowledgeable on its causes and identify the triggers, you can control the symptoms and reduce any pain felt when anxious or stressed. It all boils down to being aware of your emotions and performing exercises to control the negativity.
 
Take this information in mind and start learning more on how to keep your mental and physical health in check! Good luck and stay healthy.
 
For those who have questions or want to share their experiences with the nervous stomach, let us know what you think in the comments section below. Your thoughts are much appreciated!
Picture
16 Comments

Anxiety in Teens: What You Should Know and How You Can Help

2/3/2021

5 Comments

 
anxiety in teens
Between 2007 and 2012, anxiety in children and teens actually went up to 20%. According to the National Institutes of Health, almost 1 out of every 3 adolescents between 13-18 years old experience an anxiety disorder. 
This leads many of us, especially parents, to wonder what's happening and what anxiety in teens entail. Read on to learn more about anxiety in teens and what you can do to help.
​
​

What is Anxiety? 

Anxiety is a normal feeling to experience during tense or scary situations. This is usually described as a sense of worry, fear, dread, uneasiness, or nervousness about what is happening right now or in the future. This feeling is different from fear, which we feel when in presence of a threat.  Anxiety is the sense of an anticipated threat or danger.

Such feelings can range from mild to intense. However, in some cases, it can go beyond manageable, which may be an anxiety disorder.

An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that involves excessive and/or intense amounts of anxiety, dread, fear, nervousness, or worry. It may cause one to feel distracted, preoccupied, tense, and/or always on alert mode. 

This disorder is one of the most common mental health conditions today, affecting people of all ages.  But one thing all of these anxiety disorders have in common is that anxiety would occur too often and would be too strong, being an "abnormal" reaction to the current situation. The disorder and its symptoms would also affect a person's daily life and overall happiness.

The symptoms of anxiety disorders can come unexpectedly, or build up gradually, lingering until the person realizes something is wrong. It may also arise when exposed to triggers, with people having different triggers depending on their environment and individual trauma.

What’s Causing Anxiety in Teens?

As mentioned, anxiety disorders in teens are on the rise. While there isn't one main cause, there may be a few factors that contribute to the rising numbers. Besides genetics, individual brain chemistry, life events, and personality, there is more to be taken into consideration, such as:
  • Today's youth are now feeling even more pressure for success compared to the previous generation. A survey done yearly by the Higher Education Research asks incoming college freshmen if they feel overwhelmed with their current tasks and responsibilities. In 2016, 41% of participants responded yes, compared to the 20% back in 2000.
  • With an increase in school shootings, school drills and lockdowns, and even more danger around public areas, children are under more stress than ever before.
  • Teens are very much connected to social media, so it comes as no surprise that their worldview and self-esteem may become negatively affected, constantly comparing their lives to others.

Wrapping It Up
Whatever the main cause of the rising numbers of anxiety in teens, it’s time to make the change and take the first step. This can prevent any drastic symptoms from occurring, such as depression, substance abuse, or even self-harm and suicide. 
​

Be aware of the signs and symptoms and talk to your teen regarding any potential stressors and how to handle them together. Also, be mindful of your expectations towards your children and build a healthy home environment for them to feel safe and free from triggers. If required, it may be time to take them to a mental health professional to get the appropriate treatment they need. 
5 Comments

    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    February 2016
    September 2015

    Categories

    All
    Addiction
    ADHD
    Anxiety
    Binge Eating
    Counseling
    Depression
    Genetic Testing
    Houston Psychiatrist
    OCD
    Online Psychiatry
    Psychiatry
    PTSD

    RSS Feed

Online Psychiatrist in Texas and In-Person Psychiatrist Houston TX


Houston Psychiatrist Consultation Hours

M-Th: 8am-6pm
F: 8am-12:00pm

Telephone

281-849-4080
Fax

281-849-4080

Address

12247 Queenston Blvd., Suite D
Houston, TX 77095 
  • Psychiatrist
  • Book Appointment
  • Staff
  • Online Psychiatry
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Appointments & Fees
  • Office Policies
  • Forms
  • Services
    • Houston Ketamine Therapy
    • Cypress Texas Psychiatrist
    • Therapy Houston