by Mark G. Agresti, M.D. Cyclothymia Disorder is a condition that can affect anyone including residents of West Palm Beach. Cyclothymia is a serious mood and mental disorder that causes both hypomanic and depressive episodes. It is defined medically within the bipolar spectrum and consists of recurrent disturbances between sudden hypomania and dysthymic episodes. The diagnosis of cyclothymic...
by Mark G. Agresti, M.D. Substance Dependence is a condition that can affect anyone including residents of West Palm Beach. According to the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), substance dependence is defined as: When an individual persists in use of alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of the substance, substance dependence may be diagnosed....
Through the years I’ve had lots of patients ask me how to interact with people and how to be social, the mechanics of it, so I want to give some rules of the road, social skills 101 if you will. First, let’s talk about why social skills are important. Social skills are the foundation for positive relationships with other people: friends, partners, co-workers, bosses, neighbors, on and on. Social...
by Mark G. Agresti, M.D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a condition that can affect anyone including residents of West Palm Beach (not to be confused with Obsessive–compulsive personality disorder.) Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the...
Hey people! MGA here. I’m writing this closing after finishing today’s blog, but it’s weird that I’m sticking it at the top of it, but there’s a method to my madness. I’m switching things up today and talking to you first because I might just have an announcement! And maybe even a favor to ask of all of you. So please read on. I think you guys have liked these sex toy blogs, no? Well, I have to...
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...
Asperger’s syndrome was formerly characterized as a distinct autism spectrum disorder; the DSM-5 in May 2013 combined the diagnosis with autistic disorder into one condition called autism spectrum disorder or ASD. People with Asperger’s syndrome have normal to above-average intelligence but typically have difficulties with social interactions and often have pervasive, absorbing interests in...
Postpartum Depression: o Signs, Symptoms, New Treatment? Last week, we talked about sex and orgasms, so it seems only fitting that this week, I talk about the potential ‘homework’ that may come after the sex and orgasms: pregnancy… and the postpartum depression that may accompany it. It is one of life’s greatest joys, and for me personally, the proudest moment of my entire life: the birth of a...
Through the years I’ve had lots of patients ask me how to interact with people and how to be social, the mechanics of it, so I want to give some rules of the road, social skills 101 if you will. First, let’s talk about why social skills are important. Social skills are the foundation for positive relationships with other people: friends, partners, co-workers, bosses, neighbors, on and on. Social...
Freaky Phobias Hello, people… welcome back to the blog! Last week, we finished a two part series on N-acetyl cysteine, the latest and greatest amino acid supplement that’s showing major promise in helping to treat some heavy hitting psych disorders, especially bipolar depression. This week, I want to talk about a very intriguing topic… phobias. What is a phobia? A phobia is an irrational fear...
