The death of a child is one of the most painful things that can happen to a family. No parent is ever prepared for their child’s death, whatever the cause of death may be. We don’t have control over the things that are happening around..
Latest Articles
How Does the Mentally STRONG Method Work?
Cristi Bundukamara, Ed.D, PMHNP, designed the Mentally STRONG Method and approach to therapy based on well-researched and evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Using this methodology as the foundation, along with over 20 years of clinical experience and personal experiences, Dr. Bundukamara (Dr. B) used these..
Is Ketamine for Depression Safe?
Cristi Bundukamara, Ed.D, PMHNP, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience and the owner and director of the Mentally STRONG Clinic in Colorado Springs. The clinic has been offering clients ketamine treatments for depression for three years. Dr. Bundukamara (Dr…
Why do we need to lose our children? | Coping with Grief and Depression
It’s hard to write about something so personal. It’s even harder to read. But I think it’s important. If we want to move forward, we need to understand why our children are taken from us. We need to understand the grief and depression that follows…
Major Depressive Disorder
The following is only a brief overview of the most prevalent diagnosis in our clinic – major depressive disorder. Understanding and differentiating between depression and major depressive disorder symptoms and when medication is necessary and why is essential. Depression or Major Depressive Disorder? We all..
Bipolar II
Diagnosing a client with bipolar II can be difficult. People have been told that they’re moody, that they’re bipolar by their friends or their significant other, or because they have extreme fluctuations in mood. Still, depression, anxiety, and PTSD can also cause drastic mood changes…
5 Daily Practices for Strength When You’ve Lost a Child
Surviving the loss of a child may seem like it’s so hard and impossible, but you need to find the strength to live and turn that pain into purpose. Losing a child changes everything, and the pain is so deep that even just the will..
Bipolar I
Although the DSM V clearly distinguishes bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia, clinically, they operate on more of a continuum. While a bipolar diagnosis does not necessarily mean a severe mental illness, bipolar I can be debilitating and cause disability in its most brutal form…
Unspecified Psychosis
Unspecified psychosis, as the name implies, speaks to several different situations. This diagnosis is not used very often and is typically limited to certain specialists to properly diagnose. This diagnosis can include psychosis due to intoxication from drugs or alcohol abuse or a medical condition..
Schizoaffective Disorder Symptoms & Treatments
Schizoaffective disorder symptoms & treatments are critical to understand when dealing with a schizoaffective disorder diagnosis. Schizoaffective disorder is a serious mental health disorder that is characterized by symptoms of both mood disorders and schizophrenia symptoms. Continue reading to find out more. Schizoaffective Disorder Symptoms..