Brittany Ferri

Schizoid personality disorder involves a lack of interest or detachment from others along with a limited range of emotion expression. Those with overt ScPD are more clearly observed as loners by others, while individuals with covert ScPD are likely to mask their symptoms in order to fit in. There is very little research on this condition, and medication is not recommended unless someone has comorbid conditions. Social skills training may be beneficial for people who seek it out on their own.

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) causes persistent, impulsive episodes of aggression. These outbursts may be considered reactive (hostile, in-the-moment) or premeditated (also known as instrumental). Regardless of what subtype someone has, individuals with IED benefit from a combination of medications (antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or anti-anxiety medications) and psychotherapy focused on anger management. Youth with this condition can also benefit from family therapy to learn about IED, parenting techniques, and communication styles to assist with symptom management.

Recreational Drug Use and Memory Impairment
Drug use has a ripple effect throughout many parts of society, though its impact on the individual is perhaps most devastating. This has led many researchers to explore some of the hidden, long-term effects of various drugs. One area that has been studied is the impact of recreational drug use on a person’s memory and recall skills. A new study has unearthed exactly how substances can disrupt memories and the ways in which this influences someone’s ...

Managing Substance Use Cravings with the Smart Patch
Smart patches are one example of an innovative, real-time tool that can help people in recovery manage cravings and avoid drug or alcohol use. Smart patches utilize biofeedback to help people become more aware of physiological changes that can indicate stress or the presence of cravings. Preliminary studies suggest smart patches can help reduce negative emotions, cravings, and relapse in early recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
What ...

Insights from the Canadian longitudinal study
One of the most impactful pieces of research on readmission predictors in addiction treatment is a longitudinal study administered in Quebec. Across 5 years, investigators looked at over 8,000 patients diagnosed with one or more substance use disorders who sought care at specialized addiction treatment facilities. Results showed that 36% of patients were readmitted. This study also discovered the following groups displayed a higher rate o...

HIV and AIDS are prevalent infectious diseases. While a cure is not available for either, medical treatment and services can help people with HIV live long and meaningful lives. Therefore, it is very likely rehabilitation professionals will encounter patients of all ages with these conditions during the course of their work, regardless of whether or not they are the patient’s chief medical concern. Many therapists may not be aware of the impact these conditions have on occupational performance, the therapy process, and overall function.

Being able to manage your mental health is important, which is why treatment-resistant depression can be so difficult to live with. Individuals with this form of depression don’t see typical results from traditional treatments, which can lead them to lose hope for their condition and the future.
However, the distinct link between the vagus nerve and depression can bring these individuals symptom relief. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is an innovative medical procedure that can help treat treat...

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that nearly 3.1 billion people were affected by migraines and headache disorders in 2021. What’s worse is that these health concerns don’t always respond to medication, leaving many continually searching for relief. Up to 50% of individuals with migraines and chronic headaches look for natural healing methods but have not found many options. However, recent medical advances may have uncovered an innovative new solution. Researchers are exploring the ...

If you have heard people talk about the nervous system, you may be familiar with the phrase rest and digest. Rest and digest is a basic summary of just one nervous system function, as this ‘control panel’ of the body also helps us spring into action when we need to. While much of the nervous system works together to get this done, the vagus nerve is perhaps the most central part of this process.
With the vagus nerve serving as the ringleader when it comes to our gut health, this means vagus n...

In addition to being natural and innovative, one of the hallmarks of vagus nerve stimulation is that there are many ways it can be done. This makes it a very accessible health promotion technique. Just as you can use the ears as a pathway to the vagus nerve, individuals wanting to practice vagus nerve stimulation can also utilize specific eye movements. These movements are known to assist with many physical and emotional symptoms, which is why they appeal to a wide range of people.
In this ar...

This may come as a surprise to some, but the ear contains many intricate structures that play a crucial role in our health and well-being. For example, the smallest bones in the body are located in the ear, and they are responsible for processing information related to our head position. The ear also offers a pathway to the vagus nerve, making this part of the body a simple and accessible option to stimulate the vagus nerve in a non-invasive way. The vagus nerve ear connection is essential fo...

We all know a child who needs a little more support from adults. They may take a long time to fall asleep in the evening, require extra reassurance after becoming upset, or need some time to return to tasks they struggle with. When children have trouble managing their emotions or completing basic tasks, it can be difficult for parents, especially if they have had limited success with traditional therapies.
The good news is that the vagus nerve can be a key factor in helping children with thes...

The vagus nerve is integral to our health, as this nervous system structure has far-reaching effects on many primary bodily functions. Individuals who have experienced damage to the vagus nerve are likely to notice symptoms such as shortness of breath, bloating, acid reflux, nausea, an irregular heartbeat, emotional dysregulation, and more. A weakened or damaged vagus nerve can also contribute to excessive inflammation, which further impacts digestion, breathing, and mood. [3] [4]
Education i...

Occupational therapy’s holistic approach can expose practitioners to a variety of physical, cognitive, and mental health diagnoses. In addition, occupational therapy service delivery can differ greatly from one client to the next and even across practice settings. Providers often view this in a positive light since it encourages critical thinking, adaptive approaches, on-the-job learning, and greater interest in job roles due to frequent variations. However, this same trait can also serve as a disadvantage for occupational therapists in the realm of medical errors.