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…
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..
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…
While many individuals receive an ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) diagnosis in childhood, there are many others that do not. Older adults may lack a diagnosis because ADD and ADHD knowledge was not as prevalent in the past as it..
ADHD is the most common diagnosis in children today. It is important to understand the differences between neurotypical children and those with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD in children is often misunderstood—but we are here to break down this misconception. Read on to learn more about..
A diagnosis of an intellectual disability brings about many questions, but often the most prominent is: how do you treat an intellectual disability? Unfortunately, this is a complex question because not everyone’s intellectual disability presents in the same way. Keep reading to understand the variety..
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition that relates to brain development and impacts how an individual perceives and socializes with others. According to the Mayo Clinic, the term “spectrum” in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. Due to this spectrum,..
How can The Mentally STRONG Method help us? Through The Mentally STRONG Method, we can learn to better ourselves and increase our resiliency. Through understanding ourselves better, we can create the life we want to live. Mentally STRONG is a place where we can all..
By Dr. Cristi Bundukamara EdD PMHNP — The second shift is a sociological theory created by researcher and author Arlie Hochschild. In her book “The Second Shift,” she investigates the dynamics of family life and the division of responsibilities between married couples. Over ten years..
By Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, EdD PMHNP — As part of the Raising Mentally STRONG Kids program, I developed what I now call “The Growth Wheel”. The Growth Wheel is divided into eight parts. Each part focuses on an area of normal development as we grow and age…