Mental Health

Helen Can't Shake Depression Since Overcoming A Bad Cold

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Helen has a history of depression, but she was doing well until she caught a bad cold. The cold is now gone, but she cannot shake her depression -- and it's starting to get scary bad.

David Needs Mental Health Treatment, But Can't Afford It

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:00:00 GMT

David is 33 year and believes he is bipolar. Even though he self-medicates, his condition is getting worse. He doesn't have insurance, can’t afford a doctor and wonders what to do.

Meckie Is Losing Interest In Everything

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Meckie is a 27 year old female who has suddenly become lazy and has lost the zeal for life. She cannot stop worrying about everything, including things that have not happened and most likely will never happen.

Is Anne Depressed Or Just Unmotivated?

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Anne has been seeing her doctor for a chemical imbalance, but she's not sure the diagnosed is correct. She's unmotivated, and no longer enjoys the things she used to love.

Sam Shared His Medication With His Brother

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Sam's brother was married for eight years and has been divorced for five months. He seemed depressed, so Sam shared his antidepressant with him. Now his brother is weak, keeps his eyes closed, is nauseated and cannot stand for more than two minutes at a time.

Chris Questions If His Son Has Been Properly Diagnosed

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Chris has a 43 year old son who still lives at home, has anxiety attacks, limited vocabulary and difficulty organizing simple thoughts. He also lacks self-confidence and is fearful.

Danny Wonders If He's Bipolar

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Danny felt down most of his life, but never talked about it. Now he finds his moods fluctuating, and wonders if he may be bipolar. Sometimes he's a wallflower and at other times he's the life of the party.

Jessica Feels Like A Walking Zombie

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Jessica is a college student who took a semester off. She has always worked very hard, never asking her mother for financial assistance, but is afraid of becoming homeless or poor. Lately she has been feeling worthless, helpless and hopeless.

Rob Asks How To Overcome Dysthymia Naturally

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Rob, although he has never been formally diagnosed, believes he has mild depression. He eats well, exercises, doesn't smoke and only occasionally uses drugs.

Sebastian Is Too Tired To Go On

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Sebastian is tired of living. He doesn't have the strength to end it, but he doesn't have the energy to continue.

Rhonda Wonders If Mental Illness Causes Unwanted Behaviors

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Rhonda and her dad are at odds. She is Bipolar II and has adverse reactions to medication. She is in tune with how she thinks and tries desperately to control her actions without meds.

Camille's Sister Is Becoming A Recluse

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Camille is worried about her 60 year old sister. She has always been active and even owned a business for 15 years. Lately she has been very tired, and she went from vibrant to reclusive to bedridden. She has brought her sister to doctor after doctor, and they all have a different diagnosis.

Is Anthony In Love Or Mentally Ill?

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Antony is 22, met and quickly fell in love with an 18 year old girl. So quickly that he forgot all about his wife who dumped him. He knows about this girl's previous relationship with another girl but loves her anyway. The problem is that she's now afraid of relationships and says that she loves him, but her studies come first and she just doesn't have time for him.

Is Teri's Prescription The Cause Of Her Excessive Worrying?

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Teri's psychiatrist has just prescribed another medication for depression and anxiety. She worries about everything! Her son and his heroin addiction, her husband and his heart disease, her 92 year old mother and her health, her daughter and a random car accident. EVERYTHING!

"Gun" Fantasizes About Putting It To Her Head

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

"Gun" received just that for her birthday from her son. She came from a childhood and marriage of abuse and suffers from depression. At 63 she is starting to make friends for the first time. But now that she received this gun, she fantasizes about putting it to her temple and pulling the trigger, although she says she would never commit suicide and, ultimately, hurt her children.

Cierra Stopped Treatment For GAD And Depression

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Cierra has been diagnosed with GAD and depression, but is no longer receiving treatment. She believes she had more problems than were being addressed -- so she quit seeing her doctor. In particular, she wonders about her imaginary universe which contains imaginary friends.

Sherry Asks If Formaldehyde Causes Depression, Mood Swings And Seizures

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Sherry writes in to ask if exposure to formaldehyde can cause depression, mood swings and/or seizures.

Mahesh Doesn't Know Why His Mother Is So Sad And Hopeless

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Mahesh's mother was treated by a psychiatrist a couple of months ago. Now she's depressed, hopeless, feels inadequate, has a loss of interest and is unable to make decisions.

Kristina's Therapist Is Not Helping Her Depression

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Kristina has been struggling with depression since she was 8. She experienced sexual abuse from her brother and emotional abuse from her parents. She attempted suicide four times before she turned 14. Now she's seeing a therapist, but so far nothing has changed.

AB Feels Better When He Cuts

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:00:00 GMT

AB is 26 and grew up without friends. He would handle difficult times by cutting himself. For the past year and a half he has been seeing a girl, whom he loves and who loves him. However, when he flies into a rage, she gets upset and wants to leave. He responds to this by threatening to kill himself if she leaves, and so she remains. He wants to know how he can stop acting like this -- he knows it's self defeating.

Densie Feels Like Giving Up

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Denise has tried about 20 different antidepressants and has tried counseling, to no avail. She hasn't worked in over a year and has no insurance and has been paying bills with her 401k. She took care of her dad until his death, and now has a boyfriend she considers an enemy. She's not sure what to do to change her life around and feels it will never change. What say you?

Judi Says Psychiatric Diagnoses Cause People To Give Up Their Dreams

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Judi was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 40 years ago. She questions this diagnosis, as now she helps people with mental illness. She has overcome traumas in her life, and thinks she was suffering from PTSD. She is fulfilling dreams by helping others, and urging them to continue their quest to fulfill their dreams. Do you think an erroneous diagnosis can take the wind out of your sails for a coveted career?

Katie Feels Worried And Sad In The Morning And At Night

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Katie doesn't know what's going on. She wakes up anxious, feels better, then by evening feels even more anxious and depressed. She sometimes feels good and other times terrible. What is going on here?

Roy's Mother Thinks She's Fine, And Everyone Else Is Wrong

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Roy's mother has "episodes". She imagines thing that haven't happened, over-exaggerates and cannot remember conversations that just occurred. Her house is a mess and she doesn't dress properly when she goes out. He ran away to get away from her when he was 17, his sister ran when she was 16 and now his 14 year old sister wants to run away too. They tell mom she needs help, but she says she's fine, that they are the ones who need help. He asks how to get help for someone who doesn't want it.

SS Can't Control Her Temper

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 06:00:00 GMT

SS is 36 and loses her temper very quickly. She will snap at her husband, children and others over the slightest things. Her temper is getting in the way of her relationships, especially her husband, and she's afraid she'll lose her family. She went to a psychiatrist who prescribed Lexapro. She's not sure the diagnosis is correct and doesn't know if she should take the medication. She asks for help.