Facts you should know about schizophrenia Symptoms of schizophrenia include positive, more overtly psychotic symptoms and negative symptoms, potentially less overtly psychotic. Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, debilitating mental illness that affects about 1% of the population — more than 2 million people in the United States alone. With the sudden onset of severe psychotic...
Introduction to parenting teens Overcome ADHD: Set Small, Realistic Goals Experiencing and surviving the teen years is challenging for both parents and adolescents. All parents can conjure up personal recollections of the experience — and are absolutely sure that they "had it much harder" than their child. Similarly, we mature adults are now clever enough...
What is Rexulti (brexpiprazole), and what is it used for? What is Rexulti (brexpiprazole), and what is it used for? Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy to antidepressants for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and for treatment of schizophrenia. Rexulti is a prescription medicine used to...
What is Flakka? What are the signs and symptoms of Flakka abuse? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Flakka is a synthetic street drug. A synthetic street drug called "Flakka" was in the news in late 2014 and 2015. Hospitals, doctors, police, and fire rescue crews in Florida saw patients with symptoms and signs that...
Date rape drugs facts* Someone may spike your drink with a date rape drug without you knowing. *Date rape facts medical author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Date rape drugs are drugs used to assist in a sexual assault, which is any type of sexual activity a person does not agree to. These drugs can...
What is dexmethylphenidate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Dexmethylphenidate is a medication used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is chemically similar to methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta). It stimulates the central nervous system (CNS or brain) in a manner that is similar to amphetamines; however, its actions are milder than amphetamines....
What should you know about factitious disorders (Munchausen syndrome)? What is the medical definition of factitious disorder? Facticious disorder (previously called "Munchausen syndrome") is characterized by feigning or intentionally producing physical or emotional symptoms in another person in order to place that person in the sick role. What are the symptoms of factitious disorders? Symptoms...
What is methylphenidate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Methylphenidate is a medication that stimulates the central nervous system (CNS or brain) in a manner that is similar to the amphetamines; however, its actions are milder than those of the amphetamines. An additional difference is that methylphenidate produces more noticeable effects on mental...
What are stimulants? Stimulants are medications or other compounds (including caffeine, cocaine and nicotine) that stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) in most individuals. Stimulants can be addictive and often are abused. Stimulants have similar effects as amphetamine. They stimulate the brain by increasing the level and effect of the natural neurotransmitters, dopamine, and norepinephrine...
What is lurasidone hydrochloride (Latuda)? What is Latuda used for? Lurasidone (Latuda) belongs to a class of medications known as atypical antipsychotics. Other members of this class include clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), aripiprazole (Abilify) and ziprasidone (Geodon). Atypical antipsychotics like lurasidone are considered the standard of care for treating schizophrenia. Additionally, in clinical studies lurasidone...