LifeStance Insights

A board-certified psychiatrist explains what ketamine therapy is, who can benefit from it, and how to administer it safely in light of the recent, tragic death of Matthew Perry. On August 15, 2024, news broke that five individuals, including two doctors, were charged in connection with actor Matthew Perry’s tragic drug overdose. Among those charged were Perry’s assistant and the doctors who allegedly provided him with the ketamine that led to his accidental overdose in 2023. This incident has sparked a wave of media coverage, with . Unfortunately, this type of media portrayal can contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health, making it even more challenging for those battling mental health disorders to seek the help they need. Matthew Perry’s death was undeniably tragic, and it is crucial that those responsible are held accountable, but it is equally important to differentiate the irresponsible drug distribution and use that led to his death from the safe, responsible use of ketamine and esketamine (Spravato®) in medical treatment. The FDA has published warnings and guidance discouraging at-home use of compounded oral or injected ketamine. As a psychiatrist who has integrated ketamine and esketamine (Spravato®) into my practice, I want to call attention to the significant benefits patients can realize from ketamine and esketamine (Sprav...

Inside the mind of a Division I student-athlete, recovered from a 15-year-long eating disorder. One Pound Another bad practice. That’s three days in a row. Not good, not good.  I had plenty of bad diving practices throughout my 15-year career. “Bad” had varying degrees from I didn’t go in the water straight to I struggled implementing my coach’s changes to I got kicked out. The latter, more severe “bad,” usually meant my coach was so frustrated with me for not making changes or executing correctly that it was just better to stop. As my fellow athletes know, we’re taught to avoid cementing bad habits into muscle memory. If you do it wrong too many times, the body will remember the incorrect move more than it remembers the correct one. During my sophomore year at Stanford University, this particular series of “bad” practices was that I wasn’t completing my dives. For instance, my back 2-1/2 somersaults (off the 3-meter springboard) were more like 2-1/4’s. I wasn’t spinning as fast as I should and just not as powerful. My coach called me over to talk at the side of the pool deck. He looked very perplexed and asked me, “what’s going on?” I wish I knew. I don’t want to be slow or not make my dives either. I looked at him with an equally perplexed face but also staring down at the ground, feeling ashamed. “Have you gained weight?” he quickly asked. I froze....

Men’s mental health is a critical issue that warrants significant attention. Men in the United States die by suicide at a rate four times higher than women, yet they are diagnosed with Depression and Mood disorders at much lower rates. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the crisis of men’s mental health. During the pandemic, U.S. men reported slightly lower rates of anxiety than women but had higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. The pandemic’s uncertainty, loneliness from social distancing, financial stresses, and relationship challenges contributed to increased rates of sleep difficulties, alcohol and substance use, and PTSD symptoms among men. Historically, men were only allowed to express anger or sexual prowess and were expected to be strong and stoic. -Cindy Speakman, LCSW Consequently, in 2020, the rates of men seeking mental health care services increased more than five-fold over the prior year, surpassing the rates of women seeking such services. However, by 2021, only 40% of men with a reported mental illness received mental health care services, compared to 52% of women, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Even when men seek mental health care, it often falls short. Over 60% of men who died by suicide in Canada and the U.S. had accessed mental health services within the previous year. According to mental...

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is affecting approximately 1 in 9 kids between the ages of 3 and 17. This widespread diagnosis highlights the significant number of families navigating the complexities of ADHD management. Parents often find themselves overwhelmed by the plethora of treatment options available, which include both medication and non-medication therapies. The journey to find the right professional and treatment plan to support their child’s success can be daunting and time-consuming. Ultimately, the path to finding the perfect combination of treatments and therapies is unique for each child. It requires patience, persistence, and collaboration with healthcare professionals. With the right support and resources, children with ADHD can thrive and achieve their full potential. Therapeutic Approaches That Experts Find Effective in Treating Children with ADHD Dr. Heath Mueller, MD, who is board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, utilizes medication, EEG neurofeedback training and outpatient behavioral therapy as her treatment options for childr...

Updated from previous article on May 6, 2022. Sports, and especially team sports, have many benefits for kids and student-athletes. Studies have consistently shown that kids who participate in sports make better grades, are more likely to go to college and stay more active and healthier later in life. Student-athletes are more likely to finish college and less likely to drop out than non-athlete students. They benefit from priority class registration, mandatory study hours, and tutoring sessions that boost their GPA, resources not always available to non-athletes. Additionally, the transition to college can be nerve-wracking, even for those who find socializing easy. Being a student-athlete fosters early social interactions, helping to establish lifelong friendships and relationships from the start. Studies that showed the positive effects of playing sports dovetailed with increased parental investment on kids’ activities over the past forty years. That total number of collegiate student-athletes was an all-time high for the NCAA in 2023 and marks a near 3,000 spike from the previous year. Why Are Student-Athletes at Higher Risk for Mental Illness?...

Grief is an inevitable and universal experience that touches everyone at some point in their lives. The loss of a loved one can be one of the most challenging and emotionally taxing events a person can face. While commonly associated with the death of a loved one, grief can also result from other significant losses such as the end of a relationship, loss of a job, or loss of health. The grieving process is unique to each individual, influenced by factors like personality, cultural background, life experiences, and the nature of the loss. As humans, we have developed various ways to cope with grief and grief counseling has emerged as a crucial support system for many. Grief is not “cookie cutter,” but there are common and universal aspects to grief and loss. These aspects stem from centuries of human wisdom and experience. Over time, we have developed techniques and methods to address the emotional pain associated with loss. This evolution has led to what we know as modern grief counseling, which incorporates evidence-based practices to provide effective support, helping individuals navigate their grief, process their emotions, and find a path to healing and resilience. According to Cindy Speakman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who practices in the State of California, when someone has experienced a significant loss of a loved one, they need to be se...

What are Psychiatric Service Dogs? Psychiatric service dogs, psychiatric assistance dogs, and emotional support dogs all play valuable roles in supporting individuals with mental health conditions, but they differ in their training, legal definitions, and the roles they perform. Let’s look at each of them. Psychiatric service dogs are a type of service dog trained to perform specific tasks to assist individuals with disabilities, including psychiatric disabilities. Their training is focused on actionable tasks such as reminding their handler to take medication, providing safety checks or room searches for those with PTSD, interrupting self-harm behaviors, or pulling their handler from an overwhelming situation. Psychiatric service dogs have legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allowing them to accompany their owners in most public places. Psychiatric Assistance Dogs (PADs) as a term is often used interchangeably with psychiatric service dogs. They are essentially the same, performing specific tasks to help individuals with psychiatric conditions. The key component that defines them as ‘service’ or ‘assistance’ dogs is their task-specific training related to the handler’s disability. PSDs are trained animals that aren’t to be confused with other types of service animals...