Quick answer: How long it takes for mental health medication to work depends on the medication type. Antidepressants typically take 4 to 6 weeks to show full effects, while ADHD stimulants can work within hours. A slow start is normal and doesn’t mean the medication is wrong for you. Starting a new mental health medication […]
Author Archives: Kevin Day
18
Sep
Sep
Quick answer: Yes, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are licensed to evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe psychiatric medications. In Utah, PMHNPs have full prescriptive authority, which includes antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, ADHD medications, and more. Can a nurse practitioner prescribe medication? If you’re wondering whether you need to see a psychiatrist to get a […]
14
Sep
Sep
You answer emails before anyone else wakes up. You show up prepared. You rarely drop the ball. From the outside, everything looks fine. But internally, there’s a near-constant hum of worry, a running list of everything that could go wrong, and a quiet fear that slowing down means falling apart. That experience has a name: […]
07
Sep
Sep
OCD is not about being a neat freak or liking things a certain way. It’s a cycle that can make ordinary moments feel unbearable—and the relief people seek through compulsions often makes things worse, not better. The 15-minute rule for OCD is one practical OCD coping strategy that can help interrupt that cycle. This post […]
31
Aug
Aug
You finally lie down. The room is quiet, the lights are off—and suddenly your brain decides it’s time to revisit every awkward thing you said in 2017, plan tomorrow’s meetings, and solve a problem you can’t actually solve at midnight. Racing thoughts at night are one of the most common sleep complaints people describe, yet […]
24
Aug
Aug
Figuring out who can diagnose mental illness is often the first real barrier people hit when they decide to get help. You know something feels off. You’ve maybe done some research, taken an online quiz, or talked to a friend—but now you’re staring at a list of provider types and have no idea where to […]
17
Aug
Aug
A mental health diagnosis isn’t required to seek support, but it can provide meaningful clarity when symptoms are persistent, disruptive, or hard to explain. If daily life feels harder than it should—and you’re not sure why—that’s reason enough to talk to a mental health professional. You don’t need to hit rock bottom before asking for […]
10
Aug
Aug
A mental health assessment is a crucial step in understanding your emotional well-being and identifying any potential issues. Whether you’re seeking support for stress, anxiety, depression, or other concerns, this process helps professionals gain insight into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Actually setting the appointment, however, can be intimidating. The hesitation is real—and completely understandable—but […]
03
Aug
Aug
If you’ve been feeling off for a while, you’ve probably wondered whether you should talk to someone or try medicine. The medication vs. therapy question stops a lot of people in their tracks. It feels like a high-stakes choice, and choosing wrong feels worse than doing nothing at all. The good news is that it’s […]
31
Jul
Jul
Booking a mental health appointment from your kitchen table used to sound far-fetched. Now it’s normal. But if you’ve never tried it, you might still wonder: how does telehealth work, and can a screen really replace sitting across from a provider? The short answer is that in most cases, it works a lot like in-person […]