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Blog Archive

Contact A Ray of Hope Mar 28th, 2024

A Ray of Hope Social Media A Ray of Hope has created a NEW social media account for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. In the social media for A Ray of Hope, our patients can have an insightful resource in which to learn about the newest innovations within Neurology and Psychiatry....

A Ray of Hope Contact Mar 28th, 2024

A Ray of Hope Social Media A Ray of Hope has created a NEW social media account for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. In the social media for A Ray of Hope, our patients can have an insightful resource in which to learn about the newest innovations within Neurology and Psychiatry....

The Power of TMS- Story of Brian Feb 20th, 2024

Before TMS, life was a huge struggle. Everyday I felt as if nothing in life would ever get better. One day, my psychiatrist had mentioned a treatment called TMS. I had never heard of it or knew anyone else who had gone through it. I agreed with my psychiatrist and we...

Nurturing Neurological Wellness: A Compassionate Guide Feb 16th, 2024

It's a marvel of complexity and wonder, deserving of our utmost care and attention. In this heartfelt blog post, we'll embark on a journey into the realm of neurology, exploring ways to nurture neurological wellness with compassion and understanding. Understanding Neurological Health Neurological health encompasses a spectrum of conditions, from...

The Power of Plants for Brain Health Feb 9th, 2024

A plant-based diet, centered around whole, unprocessed plant foods, has gained recognition for its potential to enhance brain health in numerous ways. Let's explore some of the key benefits: Rich in Essential Nutrients: Plants are brimming with essential nutrients that support brain function, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. These...

Vestibular Input on ASD and ADHD Oct 26th, 2023

The vestibular system helps our brain maintain track of our motions and orientation to items around us. When the vestibular system is malfunctioning, we may experience dizziness, unsteadiness, and difficulties maintaining our balance. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be more sensitive to vestibular...

Transforming Mental Health Care Aug 28th, 2023

A proper mechanism for responding to mental health crises is lacking in many areas. Poor crisis care means that opportunities to refer people to therapy are lost. The body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of novel treatments and therapies for depression, anxiety, and psychosis as well as care delivery paradigms...

Psychologist vs Psychiatrist Aug 18th, 2023

It is essential for individuals seeking mental health care to understand these differences and choose the right professional based on their specific needs and preferences.Role and Approach to Treatment- Psychiatrists:Diagnose and treat mental illnessesCan prescribe medication to manage symptomsMay also provide therapy, but focus is primarily on medication managementOften work...

Living well with a neurological condition Aug 11th, 2023

Many people with neurological conditions have frontal or cerebellar injuries that cause reduced executive functioning. Some tips to help manage include: -Oversight of medication and treatment plan-Strengthen and sustain health by consuming a balanced diet, exercising physically and mentally/cognitively, and developing appropriate sleeping habits.-Control negative emotions and stress, accept the...

Identify Symptoms of Dementia Aug 10th, 2023

People with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease frequently have a mix of brain diseases, complicating both the diagnosis and treatment. Neurocritical care plays a crucial role in the management and treatment of critically ill patients with neurological conditions. By providing timely and specialized care one can optimize neurological outcomes and...

Benefits for TMS Jul 13th, 2023

In any given year, around 16.1 million American adults suffer from depression. Although lifestyle changes, talk therapy, and medication are three pillars of depression treatment, they are not the only possibilities. Another alternative for treating depression is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which is provided at A Ray of Hope. 

Dementia and Hearing Loss Jul 3rd, 2023

The results portrayed those who wore hearing aids had a lower probability of being diagnosed with dementia within three years of getting one for hearing loss. This insight reflects: The risk of dementia was cut by 18%. It was 11% less likely to go through anxiety. Although several hypotheses exist,...

What is Misophonia? Jul 2nd, 2023

  Misophonia is the strong reaction to specific sounds. For example if a person hears  sounds of water dripping. Studies have reflected #Tinnitus (ringing in one or both ears) depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder were all significantly correlated with misophonia. How should we interpret this? It...

Signs of Migraines Jun 14th, 2023

Do you frequently or severely experience headaches or migraines? Do they make it challenging for you to carry out your daily activities? If so, you might want to think about visiting a neurologist. Many people are unaware that neurologists have advanced training in the management of headaches and migraines. They...

Multiple Sclerosis Jun 6th, 2023

The position and extent of nerve fiber damage in the central nervous system affects the signs and symptoms of MS, which vary greatly from patient to patient. Some individuals with Multiple Sclerosis may become completely or partially unable to walk on their own. Depending on the type of MS they...

Benefits of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation May 22nd, 2023

TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain that are involved in regulating mood. TMS is typically administrated as a series of sessions over several weeks. TMS has fewer side effects than antidepressants and does not require the use of medication. TMS...

Seeking a psychiatrist May 19th, 2023

  Changes in behavior: If someone you know experiences sudden changes in behavior such as becoming withdrawn or avoiding social situations. Showing a lack of interest in activities they previously enjoyed may also be an indicator.   Mood changes: If someone experiences sudden and intense changes inter mood, such as...

Weight Management May 17th, 2023

Weight management describes the actions, methods, and physiological processes that help a person reach and keep a healthy weight. The majority of weight-loss methods include long-term lifestyle changes that encourage regular physical exercise and a healthy diet. At A Ray of Hope we cater to your needs and help build...

How to manage stress & beat burnout May 15th, 2023

Burnout can take a toll on your mental health, and it's important to address any underlying issues. Signs and Symptoms of Burnout is different for everyone but below are common signs to look for: -Difficulty focusing -Disrupted sleep -Increased anxiety -Decreased performance It's important to recognize the signs of burnout...

Want to manage your depression & anxiety? May 12th, 2023

They can allow us to complete tasks more efficiently without much mental effort. Habits can help alleviate stress and promote emotional stability by providing individuals with a structured routine and a sense of predictability, which in turn can reduce the likelihood of feeling anxious or overwhelmed due to the reassurance...

Choose Your Thought Challenge May 10th, 2023

Choose your thought challenge—as we proceed to put a stop to that overwhelming and all-encompassing issue of “overthinking” … Unfortunately, our thoughts are, many times, stuck in the pattern that has been with us since primitive ages wherein actual disasters were more eminent and present. Put another way, when humans...

How To Cope With Stress May 10th, 2023

Stress is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that is typically caused by stress. Mental stress can affect anyone, regardless of their job or industry, and can have a negative impact on an individual's mental and physical health, relationships, and job performance. It's important to recognize the symptoms...

Mental Health Awareness May 5th, 2023

Imagine if weight loss and meditation were equally popular. Or if taking your mood stabilizer was treated the same way you took your blood pressure medicine. Giving ourselves and the following generation the gift of normalizing mental health care and assistance is important. Let's end the stigma! We are here...

Habit Energy Mar 31st, 2023

Habit Energy is precisely that powerful force that drags us through life; it is the essence of how we are racing through life and not actually able to be present at times and see reality for what it is. From personal experience, I feel that some of our anxiety/distress or stress,...

Body Movement for Stress Relief Mar 29th, 2023

This group will focus on using movement as a way to heal your mental health, relieve stress, connect body and mind to achieve personal goals and build self assurance. The group will consist of different body movements such as Yoga,  Dance, Stretching and ending with a mindfulness technique. (movement modifications will...

Family Dynamics Mar 29th, 2023

The family dynamics group will focus on family dynamics, roles and relationships. The group will help you identify healthy boundaries and communication skills to enhance your relationship with your family. Group provides support for clients who have complex family trauma, substance abuse or issues with mental health. We hope to...

What is OCD? Mar 15th, 2023

What is OCD? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that affects people of all ages. Obsessions are unwanted intrusive thoughts, images, and urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings. Compulsions are behaviors an individual engages in to attempt to get rid of the obsessions and/or decrease distress.  What are...

Kindness on the brain and body Feb 8th, 2023

Kindness on the brain and body   Kindness is good for the body Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy, compassion, improve your mood, and lower anxiety. Kindness can also decrease blood pressure, and cortisol (a stress hormone) and overall can make you feel more balanced and live longer....

Migraines Jan 31st, 2023

Migraines A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pursuing sensation on the side of your head. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours or days and they may interfere with your daily...

What is Insomnia? Jan 23rd, 2023

What is insomnia? Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. You may still feel tired when you wake up. Insomnia can sap...

What is Epilepsy? Jan 20th, 2023

What is Epilepsy? Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recruiting, unprovoked seizures. Not all seizures are the result of epilepsy. Seizures may relate to a brain injury or family trait, but the cause is often unknown.    What is a seizure?  A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance...

What is ADHD? Jan 18th, 2023

What is ADHD ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or...

Different Types of Anxiety Jan 15th, 2023

Different Types of Anxiety Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition that causes fear, worry, and a constant feeling of being overwhelmed. It’s characterized by excessive, frequent, and unrealistic worry about everyday things, such as job responsibilities, health, or chores. It can affect children...

What is anxiety? Jan 13th, 2023

What is anxiety Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling,...

What is the difference between sadness and depression? Jan 10th, 2023

What is the difference between sadness and depression?  Depression is a common mental illness that affects 1 in 10 adults in the united states. However, many people can't differentiate depression from sadness. Many people may believe they are experiencing feelings of sadness rather than depression. Unlike depression, sadness is a...

About Esketamine Dec 23rd, 2022

About Esketamine   What is Esketamine?  Esketamine is a type of ketamine approved by the FDA as an alternative for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Esketamine is derived from part of the ketamine molecule and is a nasal spray used to treat depression in adults. Due to its potency, you can use...

How to improve sleep with exercise. Dec 8th, 2022

Sleep and exercise  Approximately one-third of Americans don’t get enough sleep on a daily basis. Exercise during the day has been shown to improve sleep efficiency for adults. Sleep deficiency has been linked to many clinical health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, depression, and more. ...

What are the mental health benefits of exercise? Dec 4th, 2022

What are the mental health benefits of exercise?  Exercise and depression Studies show that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication. For example, a study done at Harvard found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduced the risk of...

What is Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) Nov 6th, 2022

What is Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)? TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain (the frontal lobe) to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is used when other depression treatments haven't been effective or when someone does not like the side effects of...

What is treatment-resistant depression (TRD)? Nov 3rd, 2022

What is treatment-resistant depression (TRD)?    Unfortunately, depression treatments don't always work. As many as two-thirds of people with depression aren't helped by the first antidepressant they try. Up to a third don't respond to several attempts at treatment. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) typically refers to an inadequate response to antidepressants. ...

Solutions for Reducing Symptoms of Depression Oct 25th, 2022

Solutions for Reducing Symptoms of Depression   Avoid Drugs and Alcohol  Drugs and alcohol may sometimes appear to be an easy solution to their problems. These substances can temporarily subside any emotional pain and bring about a sense of happiness. However, these substances can become addictive. The more you consume,...

How to recognize depression?  Oct 11th, 2022

How to recognize depression?  Appetite and weight changes Eating too much or too little. Some people turn to food for comfort, while others lose their appetite or eat less due to low mood. These changes in food intake can cause a person to gain or lose weight. They can also...

Common Causes of Depression Oct 8th, 2022

Common Causes of Depression Genetics Depression can run in families. Having a close relative with the condition can raise a person’s risk of developing it themselves. Biological and chemical differences  Physical changes or chemical imbalances in the brain may contribute to the development of depression. Hormones  Hormonal changes or imbalances...

Different types of depression Sep 28th, 2022

Different types of depression Major depression Major depression includes symptoms of depression most of the time for at least 2 weeks that typically interfere with one’s ability to work, sleep, study, and eat.   Persistent depressive disorder Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) is a continuous long-term (chronic) form of...