LifeStance Looks At . . .

This content has been updated from previous article on December 20, 2020. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) earned its name due to its historical position on the “borderline” between neurosis and psychosis, reflecting its complex and variable nature. This terminology originated in the mid-20th century when clinicians noticed patients displaying symptoms that didn’t neatly fit into established diagnostic categories. BPD belongs to the family of Personality Disorders, a group characterized by enduring and maladaptive behavior patterns. However, what sets BPD apart is its hallmark traits: unstable relationships, self-identity disturbances, impulsive actions, and intense mood swings. While sharing some features with other personality disorders, BPD has its unique profile and challenges, making it important for clinicians to distinguish it for accurate diagnosis and treatment. It’s estimated that 1.4% of the adult U.S. population has BPD, making it a relatively rare condition, and nearly 75% of people diagnosed with BPD are people assigned female at birth (AFAB). BPD looks unique in each person, and the full list of symptoms is lengthy. However, all borderline personality disorder symptoms can be grouped in...

Panic attacks can be a frightening and overwhelming experience for those who suffer from them, and if you have a friend or loved one dealing with panic attacks, knowing how to help them can make a world of difference. Panic Attack 5 Step Emergency Guide If your loved one is in the middle of a panic attack now, stay as calm as possible and take the following five steps: Ensure their physical safety Speak calmly and say reassuring things Ask if they have prescription medication for panic disorder Try clinically proven therapeutic techniques Avoid taking specific actions that can worsen the symptoms If the person knows what panic attacks feel like and insist this is different, call 9-1-1. Panic attack symptoms can look very simi...

This content has been updated from previous article on February 15, 2021. The intersection of eating disorders and OCD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, stands out as a significant and intricate crossroads. Although commonly understood as separate conditions, these two disorders often share a common thread, revealing intriguing insights for both understanding and intervention. Even as far back as the 1930s, scientists have recognized a clear connection between OCD and eating disorders. This article uncovers the intricate dynamics between the two, aiming to enhance awareness and inform more effective health practices. Deconstructing Stereotypes of OCD and Eating Disorders Common misconceptions cloud our understanding of both ea...

This content has been updated from previous article on February 10, 2022. Many people hold off on getting the mental health care they need including therapy and counseling because they don’t think it will be covered by their insurance. While that may have been true years ago, things have changed quite a bit in September 2022. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have mandated that mental health and substance use disorder services be covered by insurance plans at the same level as medical and surgical services. This means that insurance plans are generally required to provide coverage for mental health treatment, therapy, counseling, and sometimes prescription medications. This means insurers must treat financial requirements equally. For example, an insurance company can’t charge a $60 copay for office visits to a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist if it only charges a $10 copay for most medical office visits. Below we will review a simple check to help you make sure you can get the insurance coverage you need. By following these helpful steps listed below, you can get the most out of your insurance policy and get coverage for the mental health co...

This content has been updated from previous article on March 19, 2021. 800,000 new mothers are affected by a maternal mental health disorder each year in the United States. One in five new moms is affected but 75 percent of those women go without professional evaluation and treatment. Untreated maternal mental health disorders impact the mother, baby, family, and society as a whole and contribute to the incredibly high rate of suicide and overdose in postpartum moms. Aftermath of COVID-19 and Postpartum Mental Health The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic increase in the frequency and severity of mental health disorders in our pregnant and postpartum moms. Social isolation and lack of access to support, as well as fin...

This content has been updated from previous article on February 12, 2021. Eating Disorders affect an astonishing nine percent of people worldwide, or about 28.8 million people in the United States. That means that everyone probably knows somebody who lives with an Eating Disorder. These disorders are not only unnervingly common, but they are also dangerous. On average, someone in the United States dies from an eating disorder every 52 minutes. That makes Eating Disorders the second-deadliest mental health condition, second only to opioid abuse. Yet, as pervasive and dangerous as eating disorders are, they do not play a significant role in our public discourse. People often shy away from talking about eating disorders for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, this leaves room for myths and misunderstandings to take hold. It’s time to break that cycle by busting some of the most common myths about eating disorders....

Couples therapy is essential for fixing relationships, but people think you only need it when something is wrong. There are many reasons why people seek out couples therapy; these include but are not limited to navigating communication issues between partners, life transitions like marriage, parenthood, and retirement, as well as crisis points like dealing with infidelity, addiction, or major marital conflicts. Relationships are beautiful, complex, and sometimes challenging journeys. When couples face obstacles, seeking professional help through couples therapy can be crucial to healing and strengthening their bond. Understanding your initial motivation to seek therapy is the first step in the journey to couple’s therapy. Once you’ve read the advice columns, listened to the podcasts, and talked to your partner, then you are ready. Ready to let someone else into your relationship: a therapist. But knowing where to start is challenging. What to ask them and what to expect from couples therapy can be daunting....