Healthy Brain, Happy Life

Psychopharmacology

Psychotropic-Induced Weight Gain

Claire Wilcox M.D. on November 25, 2023

Have you or some of your clients or patients experienced weight gain on their prescribed psychiatric medication? Or are you just concerned about this side effect?

Have you or some of your clients or patients experienced weight gain on their prescribed psychiatric medication? Or are you just concerned about this side effect?

Psychopharmacology

Treatment of Obesity: The Upsides and Downsides

Claire Wilcox M.D. on November 25, 2023

There are an increasing number of weight-loss-promoting medications on the market. Who should take them? What are some options?

There are an increasing number of weight-loss-promoting medications on the market. Who should take them? What are some options?

Trauma

This Dark Novel Makes Us Question Prevailing Beliefs

Claire Wilcox M.D. on November 24, 2023

When is it time to face our past trauma, and when is it better to avoid it? Ottessa Moshfegh's novel "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" invites us to ponder this question.

When is it time to face our past trauma, and when is it better to avoid it? Ottessa Moshfegh's novel "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" invites us to ponder this question.

Psychosis

A Compelling Memoir About Schizophrenia

Claire Wilcox M.D. on September 6, 2023

Want to read something touching, literary, and terribly relevant? Pick up this book by Marin Sardy!

Want to read something touching, literary, and terribly relevant? Pick up this book by Marin Sardy!

Addiction

Narrowing Down the Choices: Binge Eating and Food Obsession

Claire Wilcox M.D. on August 10, 2023

There are various views as to the best way to stop binge eating, and some of the advice patients hear is downright conflicting. Which recommendations are best for you?

There are various views as to the best way to stop binge eating, and some of the advice patients hear is downright conflicting. Which recommendations are best for you?

Addiction

Narrowing Down the Choices: Neurobiology to Subtype

Claire Wilcox M.D. on August 6, 2023

Many people struggle with relapse to addictions. Medications can help. Could your individual brain function be used to tell your doctor which medication to prescribe first?

Many people struggle with relapse to addictions. Medications can help. Could your individual brain function be used to tell your doctor which medication to prescribe first?

Psychopharmacology

Narrowing Down the Choices: Which Addiction Medication Is Best?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on June 21, 2023

There are now many medication options to help people break free of their addictions. How do we know what to try and where to start?

There are now many medication options to help people break free of their addictions. How do we know what to try and where to start?

Alcoholism

Narrowing Down the Choices for Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment

Claire Wilcox M.D. on June 15, 2023

There may be ways to make stopping or reducing your drinking easier. Read on to explore the research findings.

There may be ways to make stopping or reducing your drinking easier. Read on to explore the research findings.

Psychopharmacology

Narrowing Down the Choices: What Treatment Is Best for Me?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on June 12, 2023

Research is increasingly teaching us how to better match mental health treatments to the individual. But some obstacles remain.

Research is increasingly teaching us how to better match mental health treatments to the individual. But some obstacles remain.

Estrogen

Do Estrogen and Progesterone Influence Addictive Behavior?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on March 11, 2023

Women progress more quickly to addiction, and hormones may be playing a role.

Women progress more quickly to addiction, and hormones may be playing a role.

Burnout

The Doctor Shortage Crisis

Claire Wilcox M.D. on March 9, 2023

Why can’t I get a doctor's appointment? Because they are leaving the profession in droves.

Why can’t I get a doctor's appointment? Because they are leaving the profession in droves.

Psychopharmacology

Old Medication, New Use: Can Prazosin Curb Drinking?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on March 3, 2023

Are you trying to cut back or quit drinking, but finding it hard? There's a new medication that's especially good for people with high cardiovascular parameters.

Are you trying to cut back or quit drinking, but finding it hard? There's a new medication that's especially good for people with high cardiovascular parameters.

Mindfulness

Keeping Our Brains Sharp

Claire Wilcox M.D. on December 19, 2022

Trying to keep your brain from aging so fast? New research says eating real food and avoiding the junk might have a tangible impact.

Trying to keep your brain from aging so fast? New research says eating real food and avoiding the junk might have a tangible impact.

Psychopharmacology

How Fentanyl Is Forcing Providers to Go Rogue

Claire Wilcox M.D. on December 12, 2022

Wondering about the opioid epidemic and how fentanyl is changing everything? Here are some ways it is changing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

Wondering about the opioid epidemic and how fentanyl is changing everything? Here are some ways it is changing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

Eating Disorders

2 Exciting New Treatments for Binge-Eating Disorder

Claire Wilcox M.D. on December 2, 2022

A new study highlights two new potential treatments for binge-eating disorder.

A new study highlights two new potential treatments for binge-eating disorder.

Addiction

What Would Happen If "Food Addiction" Was Made Official?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on August 19, 2022

Should the medical and psychiatric community accept food addiction and make it a diagnosis? There are risks—but the benefits may outweigh the harms.

Should the medical and psychiatric community accept food addiction and make it a diagnosis? There are risks—but the benefits may outweigh the harms.

Addiction

Can People Really Be Addicted to Food?

Claire Wilcox M.D. on August 13, 2022

A recent study lends support to the theory that food addiction is an addictive disorder.

A recent study lends support to the theory that food addiction is an addictive disorder.

Health

A Secret Weapon for Stopping Benzodiazepines Safely

Claire Wilcox M.D. on August 6, 2022

Stopping benzodiazepine use can be good for your health, but challenging to do alone. Getting psychological support may be key to your success, new research finds.

Stopping benzodiazepine use can be good for your health, but challenging to do alone. Getting psychological support may be key to your success, new research finds.

Aging

8 Things to Consider Before You Retire

Claire Wilcox M.D. on June 6, 2022

Thinking of retiring soon? Here are some things that might affect the ease of your transition.

Thinking of retiring soon? Here are some things that might affect the ease of your transition.

Why is the drug overdose problem so bad? Here are some innovative ways that researchers, public health officials, and clinicians might be able to help.