Tag: Mental health

Antidepressants and birth control pills are two of the most commonly prescribed medications for people of childbearing age. While many standard anxiety medications can be taken safely with birth control, some specific drugs and herbal supplements carry a significant risk of interaction, potentially reducing contraceptive effectiveness.

Approximately 10% of deliveries globally use synthetic oxytocin for labor induction. Given this widespread use, understanding for which conditions can oxytocin be used is crucial, from its established role in obstetrics to its investigational potential in conditions like autism and anxiety.

Studies show that while weight gain is a possible side effect of taking Lexapro, it is not inevitable; approximately 41% of people experience some weight increase, typically modest. Understanding the connection between **Can Lexapro cause weight gain?** is key to managing this aspect of your treatment.

In 2022, approximately 1 in 3 high school seniors reported using an illicit substance in the past year [1.3.8]. Understanding **what are the 5 effects of drug abuse on youth?** is crucial for recognizing the profound risks to their development and well-being.

Oxytocin release is inhibited by various factors, including the generation of carbon monoxide within the hypothalamus. Understanding **what disrupts oxytocin** is crucial, as this hormone plays a key role in social bonding, stress regulation, and overall well-being. This guide explores the diverse elements that interfere with its function.

Overdose death rates among non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native persons increased by 44% and 39% respectively between 2019 and 2020, signaling a significant shift in who is the target population for the opioid crisis. This evolving public health emergency, initially focused on white rural populations, now disproportionately impacts communities of color and those facing heightened socioeconomic vulnerabilities.

In clinical trials for ADHD, up to 39% of children and 27% of adults taking Vyvanse reported decreased appetite [1.2.4]. Understanding how to decrease Vyvanse side effects is key to managing treatment effectively and maintaining quality of life.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), medications are not a magic bullet for conditions like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) but are a powerful tool when used wisely alongside therapy. For many individuals struggling with intrusive, unwanted, and repetitive thoughts, pharmacotherapy can significantly reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life. The key is understanding that medication doesn't eliminate thoughts entirely, but rather helps modulate the anxiety and distress they cause, making them more manageable.

Over 5.9 million Americans misused tranquilizers, like Xanax, in the last year. This raises questions for those with incessant, repetitive thought cycles: **Does Xanax help with overthinking?** While it can quickly dampen anxiety-fueled mental spirals, medical professionals emphasize it is a short-term, high-risk approach, not a cure for the root cause.

Studies have shown that up to 40% of patients treated with interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis C developed clinical depression during therapy, and some long-term complications can persist even after treatment is stopped. This leads to a critical question for many patients considering or who have undergone treatment: **Does interferon have long-term side effects?**