Welcome back, people! Last week I introduced a new topic- the thyroid- and hopefully you remember that it’s a butterfly shaped endocrine gland that wraps around the windpipe in the forward aspect of the middle throat. It plays a major role in regulating the body’s metabolism, growth, and development by production and release of thyroid hormones, called T3 and T4, into the bloodstream. When it...
Personality Disorders Hello people, I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Did everyone set off a bunch of fireworks? Did you grill some burgers or dogs, have some baked beans, and a scoop of potato salad? Top it off with some apple pie? Me neither. Can I just ask, why do people shoot off fireworks on Saturday day, like before the sun sets? Are they testing them to see if they’re loud...
Personality Disorders, part 3 Hello, people! In last week’s blog, we talked about the cause of personality disorders, sort of the nature versus nurture debate, and how both genetics and environment play a role in developing these disorders. We also discussed some of the requirements for diagnosis: how the maladaptive behaviors or personality traits must be relatively stable over time and...
The Dark Side of ADHD Hello, people, welcome back to the blog! This week, we’re continuing our discussion on the dark side of ADHD, with a look at gender differences within the disorder. Before we get to that, I want you to imagine this: Little Janie sits quietly at her desk in second grade. She isn’t talking and she isn’t acting out. That’s great, but she also isn’t learning… anything. Her...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment Today I want to thoroughly explain obsessive compulsive disorder, because it is a seriously life altering condition that is frequently misunderstood. We have all heard people refer to friends or family as “OCD” in a joking manner. An example may be if you’re at a party at a friend’s house and the second someone puts their drink on the...
The Thyroid Hello people! Last week was a light one on dark chocolate (ha ha?) but as promised, today marks the start of a new series on thyroid disease. If you’re wondering why I, a shrink, would care about the thyroid, the answer’s simple: because when it’s a problem, it’s a real problem, because it can affect nearly every aspect of your life, including your mental health. But when it comes to...
Mindfulness At some point in your life, I’m sure someone’s told you, “Life is short, you should stop to smell the roses.” Somebody well intentioned, maybe your Nana, your next-door neighbor Janet, or your favorite uncle Fred, giving you the benefit of their experience, and just telling you to slow down and enjoy every moment. You probably smiled, suppressed an eye roll, noncommittally murmured...
A fugue state, formally dissociative fugue or psychogenic fugue (DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders 300.13), is a rare psychiatric disorder characterized by reversible amnesia for personal identity, including the memories, personality and other identifying characteristics of individuality. The state is usually short-lived (hours to days), but can last months or longer. Dissociative fugue usually...
Dr. Mark Agresti discusses the signs, symptoms and available treatments for those suffering from ADD / ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Dr. Mark Agresti, West Palm Beach Drug & Alcohol Detox Specialist, Psychiatrist Call (561) 444-7044 or email: info@206.189.200.158 Dr. Agresti today to get psychiatric help today. Learn More Dr. Mark Agresti discusses ways of coping with...
Sadomasochism broadly refers to the receiving of pleasure—often sexual—from acts involving the infliction or reception of pain or humiliation. The name originates from two authors on the subject, Marquis de Sade and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. A subset of BDSM, practitioners of sadomasochism usually seek out sexual gratification from these acts, but often seek out other forms of pleasure as well....
