Blog

November 6, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

I Can’t Catch Any Zzzzs: My ADHD Doesn’t Let Me Sleep

If you have Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you’re probably familiar with the anxiety and frustration that can come from losing your keys, forgetting important meetings, or fixating on one issue when you should be working on something else. But those are problems during the daytime hours. Once it’s bedtime, all your cares slip away, and you get a peaceful night’s rest, right?

October 29, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Will My Anxiety Go Away Now That I Started Medication?

When my patients who have never been treated for anxiety before finally start their medication regimen, they often feel a huge sense of relief. They’re taking action to tackle the stress, worry, and frustration that can accompany their anxiety. As they begin their antidepressant treatment medication, many patients ask “Now that I’ve started medication, will my anxiety ever go away?” or “Is my anxiety gone for good now?”

October 22, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

My Job Is Too Stressful to Handle. What Can I Do?

For many of us, our workplace is where we will spend a large chunk of our waking hours. Whether you physically report to an office or other workspace, or you work remotely from your home, workplace stress can be a common problem for high-performing adults.

October 16, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

I Tried Mental Health Medications In The Past But Had a Bad Reaction. What Are My Options?

In my practice, I often meet with adults who have never tried any medication for the treatment of their anxiety, depression, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I am privileged to help explain the process of diagnosis to these patients, as well as to educate them on their medication options, potential side effects, and optimal treatment outcomes.

October 8, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Are There Any Food or Drinks That Can Affect My ADHD Medication?

When you start something new, be it a new job, a new workout routine, or a new medication regimen, it’s normal to wonder how this new phase will impact what and when you eat and drink. My patients who have moved to El Paso from another area, for example, sometimes find that they need to drink more water due to the hot and arid environmental conditions. Patients who are starting on stimulant medication for their Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) sometimes ask me, “Are there any food or drinks that can affect my ADHD medication?”

September 30, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Are Expensive ADHD Tests Necessary?

At our practice, we specialize in treating adults with depression, anxiety, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Our patients in and around El Paso, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces, as well as the other areas we service, are happy to be treated by mental health providers who have expertise in diagnosing ADHD. Many of my patients tell me that their primary care physicians (PCPs) referred them for expensive, unnecessary psychological neuro-testing for ADHD. I have even heard that some board-certified psychiatrists do this just to prescribe ADHD medication!

September 20, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Are Online Mental Health Providers Legit?

Over the past few years, many of us have experienced an increased awareness of telemedicine, in which patients and their healthcare providers interact through an electronic device. Although many patients might have used a patient portal to send messages to their healthcare provider or to view parts of their medical records, improved technology in the last several years has allowed patients and their doctors to interact in real-time.

September 16, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

9 Signs Your Mental Health Provider Has Ghosted You

Have you ever had a relationship where the other person “ghosted” you? You know, where the texts and other communication from them just stops, with no explanation? Ghosting feels confusing and weird when it happens within a friendship or in a romantic relationship, but can it happen with your mental health provider?

September 9, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

6 Things You Should Consider Before Choosing a Provider or Mental Health Clinic

Whether you have been diagnosed with a behavioral health disorder like anxiety, or you suspect that you have a condition that needs to be treated, how can you choose the right doctor for your treatment?

August 29, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

I’m Anxious, Not Depressed. Why Are You Prescribing Me an Antidepressant?

In addition to treating depression, antidepressants are also a valuable treatment for many anxiety disorders.

August 21, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Why Is My Mental Health Affected During My Menstrual Cycle?

Hormone and neurotransmitter levels can impact all females during their menstrual cycle, and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder have especially severe symptoms.

August 14, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Are Mental Health Conditions Genetic Like Medical Conditions?

What can your family history tell you about your mental health and how your condition may present?

August 13, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Generic Versus Brand Name Medication For My ADHD: Does It Make a Difference?

Generic versions of medications are just as effective as their brand-name counterparts, and their affordability can make it easier for patients to stick with their treatment plan.

July 26, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

What’s The Most Accurate Test For Adult ADHD?

The tests used to diagnose ADHD vary, and it’s important to see an expert in ADHD treatment to get an accurate assessment.

July 20, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Racing Thoughts, Troubled Sleep–Does ADHD Cause Insomnia?

Sometimes at night, the active mind of an adult with ADHD won’t settle down for restful sleep. What strategies can you use if ADHD is contributing to poor sleep?

July 8, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

How Do I Know If I'm Taking Too Much Xanax?

Benzodiazepines like Xanax can help some patients manage their anxiety, but it’s important to be aware of what problem Xanax usage looks like.

June 27, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Do I Have To Take My ADHD Medication At a Certain Time?

Knowing what tasks you need the most focus for will help you understand when to schedule your ADHD meds. ADHD medication doesn’t work 24 hours a day.

January 13, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Why Doesn’t My Insurance Cover My ADHD Medication?

Your insurance may require a prior authorization to cover your ADHD medication. Other help covering prescription costs might be available if your insurance won’t pay for your meds.

January 6, 2022 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

What Happens When My Antidepressant Stops Working?

Antidepressants in the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are useful medications in the treatment of depression. They are often chosen because of their effectiveness in treating the symptoms of depression, and because of their relatively low side effect risk.

December 29, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Primary Care Doctor Vs. An ADHD Specialist: Which Is Better For My ADHD Treatment?

When you are considering where to seek treatment for your symptoms of adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you might be wondering what type of provider you should see. Is it best to see your primary care provider, also called PCP? Or would it be better to see a provider who specializes in treating ADHD?

December 24, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

I’m Unsure if Therapy or Medication Is The Best Treatment For My ADHD

Whether I’m seeing patients from El Paso, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, or another area of New Mexico, people always want the most effective treatment for their adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. So, when people come to our practice and are diagnosed with ADHD, they might ask, “Should I choose medication or therapy for my adult ADHD?”

December 15, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Wondering How ADHD Meds Are Supposed to Make You Feel?

If you’ve never taken stimulants for ADHD symptoms before, you might be curious about the effects they can have on you...

December 10, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

I'm Worried About the Risk of Becoming Dependent on My New Medication

What are the risks of becoming dependent on medications used to treat ADHD, anxiety, and depression? Are there other substance use concerns if I don’t get treatment for my behavioral health condition?

December 2, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

How Long Does It Take for ADHD Medication To Become Effective?

I’m based in the southwest, so sometimes if I travel to a colder area, like Santa Fe in the winter, and then back home, the climate change messes with my sinuses. I might get a cold or something worse. If it gets bad enough that I need to check in with my primary care provider, I don’t want to mess around. I want something that will help me feel better fast. I think we’ve all felt that way at one time or another as it relates to our physical health.

November 26, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Do I Have To Take ADHD Medications Forever?

Making the choice to seek treatment for symptoms of adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a scary thing. People who think they might have adult ADHD usually do a lot of questioning of family and friends and checking around online before they feel ready to ask a mental health provider for advice.

November 19, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

What Is Considered a High Dose of Medication for ADHD?

Patients with Adult ADHD are sometimes concerned about the dose of their stimulant medication and want to know what is considered to be the max dose for their medication.

November 11, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Is Taking a Stimulant to Ace My Exam a Smart Idea?

Who hasn’t dreamed about a magic bullet that would help you do better on an exam? Especially if you have a really important test coming up, it’s normal to reach for any assistance that you can find.

November 8, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Do My Constant Feelings of Irritability Mean I Have Bipolar Disorder?

Sometimes, however, you experience more than being mad “at times.” What if what you feel is more consistent anger or irritability? I have had patients say to me, “I’m irritable all of the time; could I be bipolar?”

October 30, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Could My Feelings of Anxiety Be ADHD in Disguise?

Every day, your stress levels are through the roof. You can’t seem to complete routine tasks at work, at home, or both. You feel so worried about getting fired and losing the income you need to contribute to your family. You know you have to do something.

October 23, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Uh-oh, Will Stimulants Make Me Act Like a Zombie?

Whether I’m talking to my adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients in El Paso, TX or in Albuquerquen NM, people definitely have concerns about the potential side-effects of stimulants.

October 16, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

How Can I Avoid the Stimulant “Crash?”

Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may worry about how their stimulant medication might affect them. Some people are concerned that their ADHD medication might make them “feel like a zombie.” Many of my patients complain about the dreaded “Adderall crash.” If you’ve never heard of this phenomenon before, I have an analogy that might be helpful.

October 11, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Don't Panic, But Xanax Might Not Be Your Best Choice For Panic Disorder

Sweaty palms, racing thoughts, dry mouth, pounding heart--the symptoms of anxiety can feel awful.

October 5, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Choices, Choices: Will Short-Acting or Long-Acting Stimulants Be Best For You?

When I am working with a patient with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to figure out the best treatment for them, a question that often comes up is “What’s the difference between immediate-release and extended-release stimulants?”

May 11, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Weight Gain & Antidepressants

Have you ever played “Would you rather”? You know – the game where you’re put on the spot to answer a weird question truthfully. It can be a fun way to get to know people – but the questions can get really personal and even make you feel uncomfortable.

May 1, 2021 Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

OTC Supplements & Depression

Do you feel like even though you’re doing your best, you can’t manage your depression symptoms on your own anymore? This can be a very lonely and painful place to find yourself in. You’re craving relief from feeling sad, hopeless, and lethargic all the time. But you just don’t have the motivation to figure out what to do about it. Whatever the solution is, you want it to be easy because that’s all you have the energy for right now.