Blog Archive

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that causes unwanted obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, and it affects approximately 2.5 million (1.2%) Americans.  Typical lines of treatment for OCD include prescription medications and therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure and response prevention. A combination of all these...

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, and it’s an unrealistic, excessive fear of an object, person, animal, activity, or situation. When you’re living with a phobia, you do whatever you can to avoid the things that trigger your fear. Otherwise, you can experience a lot of unpleasant symptoms...

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can develop after you experience or witness a traumatic event. This disorder was previously referred to as “shell shock” or “combat fatigue” since it so often affected war veterans. However, PTSD can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender,...

Fighting against depression can feel like an uphill battle. The endless feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and sadness can make even getting out of bed seem like an impossible task.  Typically, depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is treated with a combination of medications such as antidepressants and psychotherapy. For...

Most of us experience some pretty heightened emotions during the holiday season, which begins at Thanksgiving and extends through the end of the year. There are plenty of celebration days during this time from Christmas and Hanukkah to Kwanza and New Year’s Eve.  But, after all those holidays are said...

Overcoming an addiction might prove to be a more challenging task than you thought. However, learning to overcome your addiction is extremely important whether it’s a substance use disorder, alcohol use disorder, or behavioral addiction. Recognizing there’s a problem and taking steps to address it are huge first steps in...

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is a technique used to treat many different brain-related conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and smoking addictions.  Many people find that certain conditions such as depression or OCD just don’t respond well to the first lines of treatment such as medication and/or therapy....

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that can cause a variety of symptoms in different people. Typically, it causes your brain to distort and misinterpret reality resulting in hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behaviors. All of these things can severely impact your day-to-day life. At her practice in Newport Beach,...

Do you find yourself constantly feeling on edge at work? Or are you always counting down the minutes until 5:00 pm? If so, you’re not alone. Three out of four people who are living with anxiety report that it disrupts their daily life and that their workplace is no exception. Because dealing...

Research tells us that nearly 21 million people living in the United States struggle with addiction, but only 10% get help for it. If you suspect that a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, you might be feeling lost as to what to do about it.  At her practice...

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes shifts in mood, from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). Those with bipolar disorder can also experience changes in energy, behavior, and sleep. If you’re living with bipolar disorder, you may feel powerless to control your symptoms. While bipolar disorder...

Battling depression is tough enough. But if your depression is not responding to treatment, the frustration intensifies. This is where Spravato® comes in. Spravato has been shown to be highly effective in fighting against treatment-resistant depression. At her practice in Newport Beach, California, Venice Sanchez, MD, offers Spravato as an alternative or additional treatment to...

Treating depression can sometimes be difficult with many people trying multiple antidepressants before finding the right fit. Up to a third of people with depression may have tried several different kinds of treatment unsuccessfully. This is known as treatment-resistant depression.  Thankfully, due to modern-day technology, there are now ways to...

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects about 7-8% of the population living in the United States. It’s a mental health disorder that can affect many parts of your life from your sleep to your relationships at home and work.  PTSD is caused by a person experiencing a traumatic event like an...

Anxiety is a natural part of life. It keeps you safe from dangerous situations and can actually encourage growth in you as a person. However, when anxiety starts to overtake you and affects different areas of your life, you might have an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy is typically the first line...

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that can be debilitating to those who have it. It causes a disconnect from reality and has symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. Often, those who have schizophrenia don’t realize they have it, so receiving a diagnosis for their condition is a big step forward for them...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that affects 2.5 million people in the United States. This disorder causes intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors, which can start to wear on your daily quality of life. Venice Sanchez, MD, and the rest of our team at our practice in Newport...

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by emotions that have extreme highs and lows. If you have bipolar disorder, you’re not alone: 4.4% of people in the United States have some form of this mental health condition. Even though the overarching definition of bipolar disorder involves emotional highs and lows, there...

Nearly 21 million Americans struggle with addiction but only 10% seek treatment for it. Substance abuse can affect your mental health and can wreak havoc in many areas of your life. Venice Sanchez, MD, and the rest of her team in Newport Beach, California are experts in treating substance use disorders. Whether...

If you’ve ever noticed emotional challenges like irritability, low moods, anxiety, or anger as an injury or illness sets in, you’ve already experienced an aspect of the physical-mental health connection.  This can go the opposite way, too. When dealing with anxiety or depression — two of the most common chronic...