Anyone who has experienced a panic attack knows how intense and frightening they can feel. But panic attack aftereffects, also known as a panic attack hangover, can be just as disorienting.
After a panic attack ends, many people still feel “off.” Because so few people know that there are effects-post panic attack, symptoms can come as a surprise.
So, what is this lingering state? This blog will tell you exactly what it is, including symptoms, why an anxiety “hangover” happens, and eight ways to promote a faster recovery.
In contrast with the panic attack itself, which tends to have short-term effects, the resulting panic attack hangover refers to lingering effects after the event.
A panic attack hangover can be called many names: an adrenaline hangover, panic attack aftereffects, post-panic symptoms, or an anxiety hangover. In contrast with the panic attack itself, which tends to have short-term effects, the resulting panic attack hangover refers to lingering effects after the event, which can last hours or days.
Panic attacks are acute events. They happen suddenly, either “out of the blue” or in response to a trigger, such as a phobia or fear. There is often no real danger present. Those who experience recurrent panic attacks may be diagnosed with panic disorder, which affects 2-3 percent of the U.S. population.
However, about one in ten American adults experience at least one panic attack in a given year. And an estimated one-third of all Americans will have at least one during their lifetime.
A panic attack involves sudden feelings of intense fear and worry as well as overwhelming physical symptoms. Though panic attacks are not life threatening, they can present alarming side effects, including the following:
Fortunately, panic attacks are usually short-lived, lasting about 10 minutes. Multiple panic attacks can occur consecutively, but these are unique, separate events, as opposed to lingering aftereffects.
Over time, an individual can start to live in fear of having another panic attack. They may avoid certain places or situations, interfering with their quality of life, work, or relationships. When an individual experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and has a persistent fear or worry about having more attacks, they have a panic disorder, which is a type of anxiety disorder.
Because panic attacks are acute, they create a cascade of experience. After the fight-or-flight activation, the body naturally reverts to a recovery or rebound state. This occurs because of various biological and nervous system mechanisms.
The autonomic nervous system is comprised of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. When faced with a perceived threat, the sympathetic nervous system triggers the fight-or-flight response. The adrenal glands release adrenaline and cortisol.
After the threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system then enables the body’s “rest and digest” period. But this process of relaxation, unlike the fight-or-flight response, doesn’t happen instantly, which can cause lingering physical and emotional side effects: the panic attack hangover.
Indeed, stress impacts many systems of the body, including neurotransmitters, energy systems, and brain circuits. Over time, research has shown, stress can even affect memory, cognition, and learning, due to its effects on brain regions such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and temporal lobes. The period following the panic attack is when these systems recalibrate.
Panic attack hangovers are the lingering effects experienced after the panic attack has passed. You may have any of the following symptoms:
The aftereffects of a panic attack can last for as little as a couple of hours or as long as a week. The length of time varies for each individual. When other chronic health conditions are present, you might also experience a flareup of those symptoms.
When a panic attack strikes, it’s important to recognize that your body may need a little extra time to return to its normal state. This is the first step toward healing. Acceptance of this fact helps prevent unnecessary additional stress.
Here are eight ways to assist after panic attack recovery:
After a panic attack, give your body a chance to recover. Allow for ample downtime, possibly aided with soothing music, dim lighting, or a quiet environment. Avoid overstimulation in the aftermath.
Bring your body back into the present moment by using the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: Name five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
Alternatively, try a body scan. Lying or sitting down, slowly move your awareness up your body, working from your feet to the top of your head.
While you don’t want to throw yourself into vigorous activity, gentle movement can help restore flow and ease while releasing tension. Exercise helps regulate mood, reduces stress hormone levels, and promotes feelings of calm.
Tactics like diaphragmatic breathing can also promote relaxation. Try the 4-7-8 method: Breathe in for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, and breathe out for eight seconds. This stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system’s “rest and digest” response and lowers cortisol levels.
Food and water are the building blocks for wellness, fueling the body for a healthy stress response. Aim for balanced meals with lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Drink plenty of water and avoid destabilizing substances like caffeine, sugar, and alcohol.
After a panic attack, take time to recalibrate and process your emotions. Relax with activities like prayer or journaling. Or talk out your feelings with a trusted friend or therapist. These actions help reduce residual anxiety and may highlight any patterns around the onset of your attacks.
You may feel tired and depleted after a panic attack. If possible, take a short nap. Then, to ensure proper recovery in the hours and days after the attack, make sure you get restful sleep. Good sleep hygiene helps reduce inflammation and strengthens immune function.
Therapeutic approaches can be effective for managing anxiety, panic attacks, and panic disorders. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) help with issues like anxiety and trauma.
If you’re taking any medications, review them with your doctor to ensure they are not contributing to panic attacks.
Panic attacks and their aftereffects can be frightening. Understanding the process helps you to be prepared by lowering uncertainty that can increase already elevated anxiety levels.
Still, watch out for certain red flags after panic attacks. Seek help if symptoms persist beyond a few days or escalate in intensity. Also seek help if thoughts of harm, persistent panic, or impairment pervade your daily life.
In these cases, consulting a mental health provider or physician can help. At Amen Clinics, SPECT brain imaging demonstrates that panic attacks and panic disorder are not character flaws or personal weaknesses. They are simply associated with biological changes in the brain.
For example, those with anxiety and panic attacks often show overactivity in the basal ganglia. Individuals with panic disorder may also experience abnormal activity in other brain regions.
Panic attacks and panic disorder can be misdiagnosed for PTSD, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder. SPECT imaging helps to ensure more accurate diagnosis and serves an important role in a full neuropsychiatric evaluation. Combined with a detailed personal history, clinical labs, and cognitive testing, Amen Clinics’ clinicians are able to create a personalized treatment plan geared to address and treat the root causes of panic disorder or other related mental health conditions.
Getting help for panic attacks may also aid in preventing additional impacts over the long term. Decades ago, researchers established that individuals who experienced past panic attacks were more likely to experience lasting negative effects, compared to those who never had them.
These effects included significantly higher anxiety and depression scores on psychological tests, as well as significantly more social phobias and avoidance behaviors.
While panic attacks feel intense, their lingering effects can add another layer of disturbance. Knowing that they are common and manageable with proper care helps you practice patience and self-compassion when faced with panic attack hangovers.
By using the recommendations outlined above, you can better ease your body’s transition from fight-or-flight to a more relaxed, resting state. These strategies will help reduce recovery time and better prepare you to face future panic attacks if they arise.
Panic attacks differ from anxiety attacks. Anxiety tends to build up over time, in response to a stressful event. Panic attacks are less predictable, often seeming to occur “out of the blue,” with more intense symptoms.
Residual symptoms after a panic attack can last for as little as a couple of hours or as long as a week. If symptoms persist for a lengthy period or worsen over time, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.
After a fight-or-flight response, the body will naturally move to the “rest and digest” stage, which is a function of the parasympathetic nervous system. While this process takes time, you can aid your recovery using strategies such as deep breathing, mindfulness, rest, proper nutrition, and gentle exercise.
A panic attack happens suddenly and usually peaks after 10 minutes, then subsides. The most severe symptoms last about 5 to 20 minutes. Residual symptoms can be intense, but they will not likely be as strong or sudden as a new panic attack.
Panic attack hangovers, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Have you ever struggled to explain why you feel exhausted, even on days that don’t look especially demanding? Or have you wondered why simple tasks can feel overwhelming, while others seem to move through the day with ease?
For many people managing mental health challenges, this experience is deeply familiar, and often misunderstood.
This is where a concept called Spoon Theory resonates. At its core, Spoon Theory is a simple way to describe limited daily energy. Limited daily energy refers to the mental, emotional, and physical fuel required to get through everyday life. It gives people a shared language to explain why energy can run out quickly, why priorities must shift, and why “pushing through” isn’t always possible.
Importantly, Spoon Theory is not a medical diagnosis. It doesn’t label or define a condition. Instead, it’s a communication tool that helps individuals express their needs, set boundaries, and make thoughtful decisions about how to use their energy.
It also helps caregivers, loved ones, and coworkers better understand invisible struggles that aren’t always obvious from the outside.
By putting words to unseen fatigue, Spoon Theory transforms frustration into clarity. It creates space for compassion, support, and healthier daily choices.
One of the most valuable aspects of the mental health Spoon Theory is its ability to facilitate communication. It gives individuals a simple shared language that helps explain their limits without feeling the need to justify or defend them.
Spoon Theory is a simple metaphor that explains how people with limited energy can manage their lives. This concept was originally created by Christine Miserando, a lupus patient advocate, to describe her own experience of living with lupus. “Spoons” in this framework represent units of energy. Every physical, emotional, or mental task requires one or more spoons.
The main aim of this metaphor is to explain that energy is finite and that people must use it thoughtfully. The actions that people engage in every day (for instance, making decisions, socializing, or working) can quickly reduce the energy available, especially for people living with mental health issues.
According to research, people with elevated depression or anxiety often need increased cognitive and emotional effort, which contributes to quicker exhaustion and mental fatigue.
Although this metaphor originated in the context of chronic illness, it resonates with the people who are living with mental health challenges like depression or anxiety. This is because it clearly illustrates how such conditions can quietly drain someone’s energy even when the symptoms aren’t visible.
Spoon Theory is widely used in the context of mental health because it explains the challenges that aren’t visible to other people.
Indeed, studies highlight that mental health conditions may affect emotional regulation, attention, and mental stamina. This makes routine activities require greater effort than they appear from the outside.
When applied thoughtfully, the Spoon Theory analogy effectively communicates this important understanding to struggling individuals. They comprehend in a new way why daily life can feel more demanding. As a result, they can manage their energy more efficiently.
For the people living with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma, daily tasks usually require far more emotional and cognitive effort than they seem to on the surface. This is referred to as the “mental load.” Activities like staying focused, making daily decisions, managing emotions, or navigating social interactions can silently drain someone’s energy throughout the day.
Everyday life experiences can cause mental fatigue that stems from:
The Spoon Theory helps to explain why these unseen demands can consume energy quickly, usually before the activities of the day are fully underway.
Energy levels can significantly vary from day to day. This is due to factors like:
Challenges in mental health have an effect on how your brain processes information and responds to stress. Research asserts that conditions like depression and anxiety can alter emotional regulation, attention, and stress response systems, which can diminish your brain capacity. It can also influence your motivation, stress levels, and stamina.
Amen Clinics puts more emphasis on the brain-health approach to mental wellness. It recognizes that factors like stress, sleep, and emotional regulation have a significant effect on daily energy levels.
Such fluctuations do not reflect personal failure. They are a representation of how your brain and nervous system respond to life’s ongoing demands. The Spoon Theory helps to normalize these shifts by showing why some days may feel manageable while others may feel overwhelming, even when the responsibilities are similar.
According to research, individuals dealing with mental health challenges usually face difficulty trying to describe their internal experiences. Some go through rapid energy depletion due to the uncertainty of their symptoms or the fear of being misunderstood. This kind of struggle is not visible to others and is difficult to explain.
One of the most valuable aspects of the mental health Spoon Theory is its ability to facilitate communication. It gives individuals a simple shared language that helps explain their limits without feeling the need to justify or defend them.
Through the use of the Spoon Theory as a point of reference, people can set clear boundaries, reduce feelings of guilt, and help others to develop expectations that are more realistic. This can help improve the relationship and understanding among patterns, with family members and coworkers. It can also create space for support, empathy, and healthier daily interactions.
Spoon Theory offers a useful way to help individuals to understand what everyday life can feel like when energy is unpredictable or limited. Every morning comes with a specific number of “spoons”. The number of spoons you start with each day is up to you.
To gauge an appropriate number, someone without chronic health issues or ongoing mental health conditions, would start with about 10–12 spoons on a typical day. These spoons represent total available physical, mental, and emotional energy for the day.
By contrast, people managing mental health conditions, chronic stress, or illness may:
Unlike time and money, the number of spoons you have are not the same every day. They vary from one day to another, and when they are spent, they cannot be easily replenished.
For an individual who is managing mental health challenges, simply waking up can use a significant portion of these spoons. Lingering stress, poor sleep, or emotional overload may reduce the energy that is available even before the day begins.
For example, studies have shown that sleep deprivation, even for 24 hours, can lead to an increase in cognitive impairments like confusion and decreased vigilance. On such days, the tasks that would once feel manageable can suddenly feel overwhelming. This isn’t because the individual is lazy or lacks effort. It is because the spoons available are fewer.
Different tasks require varying amounts of spoons. Again, the cost can differ from one person to another.
For some people, responding to messages, getting dressed, making breakfast, or having a short phone call can use only one spoon. For others, it may require several spoons. Decision making, emotional effort, and social interactions usually drain more energy than you may expect, especially if you are having mental health symptoms.
Here’s what using Spoon Theory might look like with different mental health conditions.
If you are living with anxiety challenges, worry and anticipation can use your spoons even long before you begin to do any task. Preparing for conversations, commuting, or handling the uncertainties of life can require a significant amount of mental energy. Even events that are positive may feel draining, especially if they involve constant alertness or overstimulation.
If you’ve been dealing with depression, you may wake up with fewer spoons because of disrupted sleep or emotional heaviness. Basic routines such as getting out of bed, dressing up, preparing a meal, responding to messages, and tidying up can quickly drain your energy. By midday, most of your spoons may already be used, which makes it difficult for you to focus, socialize, or complete additional responsibilities.
For someone with PTSD, hypervigilance, triggers, or emotional flashbacks may consume large amounts of energy without warning. Everyday environments or interactions may feel exhausting, which may leave fewer spoons for routine tasks or social engagement.
People living with ADHD usually spend extra spoons on focus, organization, and task initiation. Managing distractions, switching between tasks, or keeping up with deadlines can quickly deplete their energy, even though they seem productive externally.
These scenarios are a demonstration of how Spoon Theory makes the struggles that are invisible easier to understand. By recognizing how energy is spent differently, people and those close to them can set realistic expectations, plan their days in a more intentional way and approach mental health with a lot of empathy.
When your mental and emotional energy is limited, you don’t need to worry. Spoon Theory provides a simple and flexible way to help you plan your daily life effectively. Once you are able to recognize your energy limits early enough, you can structure your day in ways that reduce the strain and support balance.
Start by noticing how your body feels when you wake up. Consider important factors like how well you slept, your current stress levels, and your emotional state. During the days when your energy feels low, it’s important that you assume that you have fewer spoons available and plan accordingly. This is a simple mental check that can help you prevent overcommitment.
First, use your spoons on essential tasks like medical needs, work responsibilities, or caregiving. You can then simplify or postpone the activities that are less urgent. When you prioritize, you ensure that your limited energy is spent where it is needed most.
Instead of pushing through fatigue or waiting until you are feeling drained, schedule short breaks throughout the day. Occasionally resting before your spoons are fully depleted can help stabilize your energy and reduce your mental overload.
Creating routines that you follow consistently lowers the number of spoons you need for making daily decisions. You can conserve your time and energy by preparing meals in advance, setting several reminders, or creating predictable schedules.
As mentioned earlier, this analogy offers a simple way for you to communicate your limits. For instance, saying “I’m low on spoons today” can help the people around you understand when you need flexibility, rest, or support even without further explanation.
Spoon theory can be a helpful tool through which individuals can increase awareness and help the vulnerable manage their daily energy in a more thoughtful way. That said, there are situations whereby tracking spoons may not fully address the challenges individuals are facing.
Whenever mental strain, fatigue, or emotional depletion disrupt daily functioning, it may be an indicator of concerns that go beyond everyday energy management.
Emotional overload, persistent exhaustion, or mental fatigue that continues to worsen over time or feels unexplained can indicate that something more is happening at a deeper level.
In such cases, depending only on coping strategies can leave important questions unanswered. Sometimes, understanding why your energy is depleted is as crucial as learning how to conserve it.
In cases like these, you may need a more comprehensive evaluation to gain more clarity. At Amen Clinics, we use brain-based assessments to have a better understanding of how different regions of the brain can influence your energy levels, mood, and focus.
Through this approach, individuals can move beyond surface-level coping strategies and explore a personalized plan to optimize brain function and improve mental health
There’s a close relationship between mental energy and how the brain operates.
At Amen Clinics, we use brain SPECT imaging to observe brain blood flow patterns of activity. They help to explain why some people may experience emotional exhaustion, ongoing fatigue, or difficulties in maintaining focus. The scans do not diagnose mental health conditions on their own; however, they provide valuable insights into how various regions of the brain are working.
For some people, imaging can show areas with overactivity, which are usually associated with conditions like anxiety, obsessive thinking, or PTSD. In other individuals, underactivity can be present, a pattern that is commonly witnessed in ADHD, depression, or the effects of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
Both patterns may have an influence on how much mental energy an individual has available for the tasks they are expected to handle every day.
By recognizing such activity patterns, clinicians better understand how brain function can affect mood, focus, and energy levels Combined with a personal health history, neuropsychiatric assessments, and clinical labs, our clinicians can created a tailored treatment plan as part of a comprehensive evaluation.
Spoon Theory offers a simple way to describe the energy limits that are usually invisible to others, and sometimes even to oneself.
Recognizing energy limits opens a door to healthier daily choices. The use of strategies like building consistent routines, pacing tasks, taking restorative breaks, and setting clear boundaries can help support focus, emotional well-being, and physical health.
If you are dealing with a mental health disorder or cognitive issues, let Spoon Theory help you to be kinder to yourself and better manage your energy.
Originally, Spoon Theory was created to describe the lives of people living with chronic physical illnesses, but now, it is widely used in mental health. This theory explains how conditions such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD affect daily energy.
There’s no fixed number of spoons because energy levels can vary from one person to another or from day to day. Factors like stress, sleep, and emotional load may change how many spoons someone can have available.
Absolutely. Spoon Theory can help in explaining how tasks such as planning, focusing or even switching between activities can feel more demanding for the people who are living with executive dysfunction or ADHD. It provides a simple way to describe the mental effort that is not always visible.
Begin by describing spoons as units of energy. Explain that every task utilizes some of that energy. Allowing family to know when spoons are low can help them to understand your needs and limits better.
If you’re constantly feeling low on energy and it keeps getting worse, you may need to look beyond daily coping strategies. Seek a deeper evaluation, as it can offer insight into the underlying factors affecting your mental energy.
Feeling mentally drained is common for people managing mental health challenges. At Amen Clinics we use advanced brain imaging and clinical assessments to uncover why energy may fluctuate and provide personalized strategies to help protect and optimize your daily mental energy.
Managing daily life with brain health issues and mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
High-functioning autism is often misunderstood. People who fit this description may be praised for their intelligence, strong verbal skills, or intense focus, while their very real social, communication, and sensory challenges are quietly minimized. Others are judged as awkward, unsocial, or difficult, without recognition of the remarkable strengths that frequently accompany this neurotype.
The truth is that these strengths and challenges are not separate. They are different expressions of the same underlying brain differences.
Even the term “high-functioning autism” can be misleading. While still commonly used, it is not a formal diagnosis and can unintentionally invalidate the daily struggles many autistic individuals experience. It may also reinforce masking, the conscious or unconscious effort to appear neurotypical in order to fit in, often at significant emotional cost.
Today, autism is diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder, reflecting a wide continuum of abilities and support needs. Individuals previously described as having high-functioning autism are now typically diagnosed with Level 1 autism spectrum disorder, indicating a need for support with social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviors, even when outward functioning appears strong.
For the purposes of this blog, the terms high-functioning autism (HFA) and Level 1 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will be used interchangeably, as both remain widely recognized.
It is important to understand that functioning well on the surface does not mean life is effortless underneath. Many individuals with HFA perform well academically, maintain employment, or live independently, yet still face ongoing challenges with flexibility, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and social connection.
Because these struggles are often less visible, diagnosis is frequently delayed until later in childhood, adolescence, or even adulthood, research has found.
True understanding requires moving beyond labels and stereotypes. When families, educators, and clinicians recognize both the strengths and the challenges of autism at this level, they can provide brain-based support that helps individuals with Level 1 ASD not just cope but truly thrive.
Many individuals with high-functioning autism perform well academically, maintain employment, or live independently, yet still face ongoing challenges with flexibility, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and social connection
While people with HFA often possess significant cognitive abilities, they still experience core autism-related challenges. These difficulties are neurological, not behavioral choices. Understanding them is critical to getting effective support.
For many people with high-functioning autism, social interaction can feel like navigating a world without an instruction manual. Studies show that adults with autism show unique brain activity and behaviors when making social decisions, while still sharing core social-mapping brain systems with others. These challenges highlight the differences and strengths in how social information guides choices, including:
A 2022 study shows these challenges stem from differences in social cognition networks within the brain, particularly regions involved in emotional processing and theory of mind.
Change can be deeply unsettling for people who may struggle with Level 1 ASD. It’s not due to stubbornness or defiance; instead, it’s most likely because predictability provides neurological safety.
Routines help regulate sensory input, reduce anxiety, and conserve mental energy. Research shows that consistent structure supports emotional regulation in people with autism who struggle with neurodevelopmental delays.
A hallmark of HFA is intense focus on specific subjects. While this can become a strength, challenges can arise when:
Neuroimaging studies suggest this intensity is linked to reward circuitry activation and deep-focus attention systems. Without guidance, these interests may narrow opportunities but, with personalized support, they often become pathways to mastery.
Many people living with Level 1 ASD experience heightened sensitivity to sensory input, including:
Sensory overload can activate stress responses, leading to avoidance, irritability, or shutdown. Research links these sensitivities to atypical sensory integration and cortical excitability patterns in the brain.
Too often, discussions of autism stop at the challenges. The truth is that people with HFA have strengths born out of their characteristic differences. They often emerge because of them.
When engaged, people with Level 1 ASD can often sustain attention for extended periods of time. This kind of deep focus enables:
In supportive environments, studies show the concentration they exhibit rivals, and often exceeds, neurotypical performance. This has been seen particularly well in fields like technology, research, design, and the arts.
Many people with HFA demonstrate exceptional traits that are often revered in professional or specific social settings, which may include:
Research highlights enhanced perceptual processing and memory networks in autistic brains, contributing to creative problem-solving and innovative thinking.
Another remarkable trait in those with HFA is that they tend to be refreshingly direct. They tend to value truth, fairness, and transparency over social performance. This can look like sharing in clear communication styles, having a lack of manipulation or hidden agendas, and genuine acceptance of differences in other people.
In relationships and within workplaces, this kind of integrity builds trust and connection with others, especially when paired with mutual understanding and compassion. This is a major trait to appreciate when trying to understand and support someone with Level 1 ASD.
The same traits that drive routine and focus often translate into exceptional dependability. Many people with Level 1 ASD have been known to have similar behavioral consistencies, such as:
Employment studies increasingly highlight these qualities as major assets when workplaces provide appropriate accommodations. These extraordinary strengths aren’t discussed enough but are beginning to be understood and valued in the workplace.
Blog: What Happens When People with Autism Go Untreated?
It’s important to note that recent research notes distinct differences between autistic women and men in the workplace. Autistic women often face more intense social/communication stress, masking autism for acceptance, and gendered appearance expectations, which leads to increased anxiety.
Autistic men tend to struggle more visibly with executive function issues, specific sensory overload, and disclosing their disability. Both genders need flexible, structured environments. Women are often under-recognized or diagnosed later due to masking.
It’s important to acknowledge that there are key differences among autistic men and women as well for a more comprehensive workplace roadmap. A 2023 study shows that autistic men and women can experience sensory under-responsiveness differently. These differences may shape how each navigates attention, stress, and daily demands
High-functioning autism rarely exists in isolation. While autism itself reflects a unique pattern of brain wiring, many people also experience co-occurring conditions that influence mood, attention, energy, and daily functioning. These overlapping challenges are not signs of “more severe” autism. They are reflections of how interconnected brain systems communicate, regulate stress, and process information. These co-occurring conditions may include, but are not limited to:
Research shows that these mental health disorders can amplify social, sensory, or executive-function challenges if left unrecognized. Because these symptoms often overlap or mask one another, they are sometimes misattributed to personality traits or “just part of autism,” delaying effective support and better understanding.
Viewing Level 1 ASD through a brain-health framework helps clarify what aspects of brain function are related to autism and what may stem from other, treatable co-occurring mental health disorders.
A 2025 study in Human Brain Mapping shows that overlapping brain-network differences, particularly in attention, emotion regulation, and executive functioning, can intensify daily challenges, especially if left unaddressed.
This is where a brain-health assessment becomes so critical. Functional brain imaging, such as brain SPECT scans, can identify patterns related to overactivity, underactivity, or dysregulation across specific brain regions. These insights allow clinicians like those at Amen Clinics to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches and develop targeted, individualized treatment plans.
Early identification and brain-informed intervention are associated with improved emotional regulation, social functioning, and long-term life outcomes.
This can be especially true when strengths are understood and valued while more challenging aspects of Level 1 ASD can be successfully addressed to optimize well-being.
High-functioning autism is not a limitation, but a different neurological operating system. When challenges are misunderstood or ignored, autistic individuals can struggle unnecessarily. But, when strengths are recognized and brain health is supported, those same traits can become powerful advantages that help them succeed farther than they realized was possible.
At Amen Clinics, a whole-brain approach helps individuals with high-functioning autism better understand how their brain works so they can reduce friction, enhance resilience, and build lives aligned with their natural strengths.
Typical challenges include HFA social interaction difficulties and missed cues, need for routine and dislike of change, intense or restricted interests, and sensory sensitivities.
Strengths often include deep focus on interests, strong memory and visual thinking skills, honesty and acceptance of others, and high reliability or conscientiousness.
The term refers informally to those on the autism spectrum without major intellectual impairment who often live independently or attend mainstream school or work. Typically aligned with a Level 1 autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, these individuals still struggle and need support.
Leveraging strengths builds confidence, meaningful work, and self-esteem while targeted support addresses challenges like social skills or sensory regulation.
Brain-health evaluation helps identify activity patterns and co-occurring conditions, allowing personalized strategies that enhance strengths and reduce challenges.
High-functioning autism and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Most people don’t think about their mental health until something breaks. If you’re not overwhelmed, burnt out, or emotionally spiraling, it’s easy to assume you’re “fine.” But waiting for a crisis is one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to their mental well-being.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than one in three Americans (about 38 percent) plan to prioritize mental health this year. The good news? You don’t need drastic changes or trendy hacks to improve your well-being and feel good. Mental health is built through small, consistent habits that support your brain health before problems take hold.
That’s exactly what these top 10 tips to maintain your mental health are designed to do. They’re practical, science-backed actions that stabilize your emotions, protect brain function, and strengthen your resilience to everyday stress—without adding more pressure to your life.
With decades of clinical experience and brain imaging research, Amen Clinics has consistently shown that mental health is brain health. By meeting your brain’s basic needs daily, you can build a stronger foundation for focus, emotional balance, and long-term well-being—this year and beyond.
Mental health isn’t shaped by one habit alone but influenced by a network of biological, emotional, cognitive, and social factors. The following 10 strategies work together to support your brain, protect emotional well-being, and build long-term mental health.
Most people don’t think about their mental health until something breaks. But waiting for a crisis is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Mental health is built through small, consistent habits that support your brain health.
As one of the most powerful tools for protecting mental health, sleep is a basic need that, too often, people fail to prioritize. However, sleep plays a central role in the biological foundation of maintaining mental health and emotional regulation. It also determines things like hunger cues and maintaining energy.
Research shows that deep sleep helps your brain consolidate memories, regulate hormones, and clear metabolic waste through the lymphatic system. When you ensure you get quality sleep, you are essentially supporting learning, emotional balance, stress resilience, and decision-making.
Chronic sleep loss, on the other hand, disrupts neurotransmitter balance and increases activity in the brain’s threat-detection centers, which heightens anxiety and increases stress . A 2024 study showed that having a chronic sleep deficit is associated with heightened anxiety, irritability, depression risk, impaired focus, and reduced impulse control.
When you can’t fall asleep, stay asleep, or sleep too little, your brain can’t effectively consolidate information or clear hormonal byproducts and metabolic waste. This increases feelings of mental overload and emotional strain.
The brain is metabolically demanding, using roughly 20 percent of your body’s energy. This energy comes from the foods you eat, which fuels how you think, feel, and act. A balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods provides the building blocks for neurotransmitters, stabilized blood sugar, and reduced inflammation (linked to mood disorders and cognitive decline).
Amen Clinics founder, Dr. Daniel Amen, frequently recommends these seven brain-healthy foods to help you build a foundation that benefits your brain and keeps your taste buds satisfied:
Wild-caught fatty fish (such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines) – Delivers a healthy dose of brain-boosting protein and fats
Blueberries – Provides a burst of antioxidants
Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, and arugula) – Hydrates and quells inflammation
Avocados – Offers healthy fat and dietary fiber
Nuts and seeds – Provides a perfect nutrient-dense, powerhouse snack
Olive oil – Delivers neuroprotective polyphenols to fight inflammation
Beans and legumes – Provides a rich source of fiber
These foods supply your brain with essential nutrients to support your memory, mood, and executive function.
For example, research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish, dark leafy greens, and nuts and seeds), help to regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Additionally, their antioxidant power helps to reduce oxidative stress in the brain. Of course, consuming quality fats helps to slow down gastric emptying, which helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels. In turn, this protects against mood swings and fatigue.
“An object in motion stays in motion.” – Newton’s First Law of Motion
Movement is about more than physical health. Indeed, taking time each day to exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mental health.
The hardest thing for people to do is to start doing something, especially when it comes to exercise. But if you needed a sign to take your mobility seriously, this is it. Research shows that physical movement increases blood flow to the brain, stimulates growth factors like BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and improves mood-regulating neurotransmitters. Your mood is truly influenced by how often you move your body.
If you are not athletic or dislike the gym, don’t worry. Movement doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. You can choose something that you enjoy and will be sustainable for you to keep doing, no matter how busy you get. You can start with these accessible daily practices to make the start of your daily movements easier:
A 2018 study showed that regular walking improves mood, attention, and memory while lowering stress hormones. Start with a 10-minute walk outdoors or on a treadmill, or 30 minutes of outdoor hiking. The goal is to start moving! Let go of the idea that you need to do back-breaking workouts.
Gentle stretching reduces muscle tension and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which can also change brain activity towards a more relaxed and positive mental state.
According to research in Physical Activity and Nutrition, low-impact exercise has been shown to improve emotional regulation and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Note: Always consult a healthcare professional to ensure the movement you choose supports your individual health goals in a safe and comprehensive way.
The sense of belonging we receive from human connection is a biological need, not a luxury. However, it’s not the quantity of friends that benefits your mental health, but rather the quality of connection. Be intentional about who is in your close circle of friends by spending time with the connections that are healthy and supportive.
Studies confirm that having supportive relationships you trust can buffer stress, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of depression and cognitive decline. Regular check-ins with trusted friends or family, even if they are brief, can help regulate emotions and reinforce a sense of safety and belonging.
Chronic stress is the cause of a host of preventable diseases. It’s essential to pay attention to the stress signals your body gives you. When stress goes unchecked, it can lock your brain and nervous system into a threat-focused state, making emotional equanimity and clear thinking more difficult over time. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, impairs memory, disrupts sleep, and weakens emotional regulation.
Starting with one of the following stress-busting techniques and practice it consistently. Observe how your nervous system responds and build a personalized mental health toolkit that works best for you.
Slow, intentional breathing exercises activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which counters the body’s stress response. Research shows that diaphragmatic breathing can lower heart rate, reduce cortisol levels, and improve emotional regulation by calming overactive stress circuits in the brain. Over time, regular breathing practices can improve resilience to daily stressors and reduce symptoms of anxiety. Plus, you can practice it virtually anywhere!
You can use mindfulness practices to train your brain to observe thoughts and emotions without immediately reacting to them. Studies show that mindfulness improves emotional regulation, decreases rumination, and reduces activity in brain regions associated with stress and fear responses. Consistent practice has also been linked to structural and functional brain changes that support attention and emotional balance.
Expressive writing helps the brain process emotions more efficiently by organizing your thoughts and reducing mental clutter.
Research suggests that journaling can lower stress levels, improve mental distress, and enhance mood by helping you make meaning out of experiences rather than suppress them. Over time, this supports healthier emotional processing and better stress recovery.
Grounding techniques anchor attention in the present moment through sensory awareness, helping interrupt spiraling thoughts and anxiety loops. Studies show that grounding practices can reduce symptoms of anxiety and emotional distress by shifting the brain out of threat mode and into a state of safety and awareness. These exercises are especially helpful during moments of acute stress or overwhelming emotions.
Be careful about negative social interactions online or in person.
Digital device use can be incredibly useful in so many ways; however, unmanaged exposure can overload your brain. Excessive stimulation has been shown to increase anxiety, disrupt sleep, and fragment attention. Try setting time limits (through your own willpower or apps developed for this practice) to keep your brain balanced and stress-free.
Be especially careful of the following social inputs that can harm your brain and mental health:
Doomscrolling is something we all do at some point. What seems like a harmless act of scrolling up or down on a screen actually keeps your brain in a heightened threat-detection state by exposing it to a continuous stream of negative or alarming information.
Research links this habit to increased stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, in part because it reinforces rumination and activates stress-related brain circuits for prolonged periods. Over time, this constant hypervigilance can impair emotional regulation and increase feelings of helplessness and inaction through procrastination.
Extended screen exposure on addictive social media, especially without breaks, has been associated with mental fatigue, reduced attention span, sleep disruption, and mood disturbances. Blue light exposure and constant cognitive switching can interfere with circadian rhythms and increase cognitive overload, making it harder for the brain to recover and focus effectively.
Studies suggest that limiting screen time, particularly in the evening, can improve sleep, energy and focus, emotional stability, and mood disturbances.
Though building quality social connections are important for your mental health, not all social interaction is restorative. Chronically stressful or emotionally draining relationships can elevate cortisol levels and increase inflammation linked to long-term stress exposure.
Research shows that persistent interpersonal strain is associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers, which are connected to mood disorders and reduced stress resilience over time.
Replacing stress-inducing social interactions with restorative activities (such as reading, nature exposure like gardening, or other creative hobbies) provides an opening for your brain to calm and recover.
The draw to engage in stressful social interactions, either online or in person, can be hard to break. Be patient with yourself as you learn to disengage from them.
Boundaries protect your mental energy and physical well-being. They reduce burnout, prevent emotional overload, and create space for rest and clarity. Learning how to say “no” supports your emotional balance and long-term mental health.
Meaning-based activities strengthen psychological resilience and reduce stress-related brain changes. Creativity, time in nature, spiritual practices, and hobbies improve mood and cognitive flexibility. Joy doesn’t have to be productive; it just needs to be nourishing.
Mental health symptoms often reflect a mix of biological, psychological, lifestyle, and social factors. At Amen Clinics, brain-based assessments help identify those patterns related to mood, focus, trauma, or stress. Clinical insight can clarify what’s driving your symptoms.
With excellent data, our clinicians are able to develop effective personalized care plans to support mental well-being for the long-term, as well as provide and ongoing support.
Early intervention prevents symptoms from compounding. Research shows that timely mental health support improves outcomes and reduces symptom severity. If stress, anxiety, or low mood interferes with your daily functioning, it is essential to seek help from a qualified mental health professional or medical doctor. For some individuals with suicidal ideation, getting early treatment may mean the prevention of a suicide crisis, research has found.
Mental health is shaped by interconnected systems. Dr. Amen’s Four Circles of Mental Health (biological, psychological, social, and spiritual) highlight how small habits compound over time to deliver whole-person well-being. Learning how to support each of your circles will help you to achieve and maintain better brain function and overall mental health.
Amen Clinics uses brain SPECT imaging to evaluate brain activity patterns related to attention, mood, trauma, and stress. Treatment considers brain function along with your personal health history (including your lifestyle, habits, and emotional needs), neuropsychological assessments, and clinical labs (if needed) to determine a whole-person, mental health care treatment plan rather than a symptom-only approach.
Mental health isn’t something you either have or don’t. It’s something you build. Small, consistent steps create powerful momentum toward mental wellness over time. Start where you are, choose one habit to strengthen, and let progress compound.
When symptoms persist, professional and brain-based support can help uncover deeper patterns and guide meaningful change.
Sleep, nutrition, movement, stress management, social connection, and early support form the foundation of long-term mental health and well-being. Each one supports the other, so taking each one seriously benefits your overall health.
Your daily habits regulate brain chemistry, stress hormones, and emotional processing. This shapes how your brain responds to personal challenges and life events.
Yes. Sleep directly impacts your mood regulation, memory loss, stress resilience, fatigue, emotional stability, hunger signals, and even mobility/injury prevention.
If symptoms persist after making consistent healthy changes, consult a mental health professional for deeper evaluation, personalized guidance, and/or potential medication.
Keep in mind that lifestyle changes are a great way to boost mental health for mild symptoms only. Seek professional help from a medical doctor immediately if your mental health symptoms are severe or disrupting your ability to function in daily life.
Brain-based assessments can identify functional patterns influencing mood, focus, and behavior. This supports a more targeted care plan, which is exactly what you need to care for your specific brain type.
Depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
If you’ve ever wondered why you feel scattered when you’re anxious, unmotivated when you’re depressed, or stuck in an endless search for focus, the reason may be simpler than you think. That’s because not all depression is the same.
In fact, brain-imaging research at Amen Clinics has helped our clinicians identify seven distinct types of anxiety and depression. Each one requires a different approach to treatment.
Brain SPECT imaging has helped Amen Clinics clinicians identify seven distinct brain patterns, or subtypes, associated with depression and anxiety. Each one requires a different approach to treatment.
Type 7 (unfocused anxiety and depression) is a specific brain-based subtype in which emotional distress blends with cognitive fog, distractibility, and inconsistent attention. It’s the pattern that makes your mind feel too busy and not engaged enough at the same time.
Understanding your subtype matters.
Unfortunately, people with Type 7 are often misdiagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, high-functioning anxiety, or treated only for depression. Without looking at functional brain imaging, most mental health professionals are unable to see that multiple areas of the brain are affected, which can lead to unsuccessful treatment.
When treatment doesn’t match the underlying brain pattern, progress can stall, or symptoms can even worsen. This can be deeply confusing and discouraging to the individual, affecting both work and personal life. Some people begin to blame themselves, feeling as though they’re not trying hard enough or doing something wrong.
Learning how this subtype works opens the door to clarity, accurate support, and a treatment plan that truly addresses your lived experience.
Here’s what you need to know about Type 7 depression, and what to do if you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you love.
Related: Understanding the Anxiety and Depression Types—Type 2: Pure Depression
You may be wondering what “unfocused” means in terms of symptoms. It essentially refers to symptoms rooted in inattention, distractibility, negative thinking patterns, mental fatigue, and brain fog.
With Type 7 anxiety depression, these unfocused symptoms occur along with the emotional symptoms of anxiety and depression. This can create an internal feeling of being overwhelmed while feeling externally disengaged, which presents as a cognitive slowdown (a decrease in thinking abilities like memory, attention, and reasoning).
Some typical signs of Type 7 include:
Symptoms of unfocused anxiety and depression may include any of the following:
Though this subtype is not a formal diagnosis in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it’s important to understand it and share it with your doctor if the symptoms seem to fit. Clinicians familiar with this subtype typically look for:
One important distinction of this pattern from more typical anxiety or depression is that the cognitive impairments occur alongside emotional symptoms, not independent of them.
Brain SPECT imaging conducted at Amen Clinics suggests that unfocused anxiety depression subtype 7 is characterized by a combination of underactive and overactive brain regions. Unlike structural imaging, which shows brain anatomy, SPECT is a type of functional imaging that measures blood flow activity in the brain.
Although research continues, there are several distinct blood flow activity patterns that have consistently emerged across studies of attention networks and mood regulation, including the following:
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the brain’s command center for focus, planning, impulse control, and organization. When it’s there’s too little activity in this area, especially during tasks requiring sustained attention, people experience distractibility, poor follow-through, and mental fog.
Studies show that reduced PFC activity is linked with attention problems, low motivation, and difficulty managing emotions. A 2018 neuroimaging review in Neuropsychopharmacology found that PFC hypoactivity (low activity) is common in both attentional disorders and depressive disorders, especially those characterized by cognitive slowing.
The basal ganglia and limbic system coordinate emotional regulation and threat sensitivity. When these regions show relative overactivity, symptoms such as worry, nervous energy, and emotional tension increase.
Research has shown that heightened limbic activation is associated with anxiety, rumination, and the negative mood states often seen in depression. When combined with an underactive prefrontal cortex, the result is a brain that feels “stuck on” emotionally but sluggish cognitively.
Unlike structural imaging that looks at anatomy only, SPECT scans show brain blood flow patterns in real time making it possible for a clinician to visually see if a patient’s attention issues may be stemming from anxiety, depression, trauma, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Brain SPECT imaging can reveal whether inattention stems from:
This distinction helps tailor treatment, especially since stimulant medications may worsen anxiety if your emotional circuitry is already overactive.
When symptoms overlap, it can be challenging for mental health clinicians to catch more nuanced presentations of combined disorders like brain type 7 anxiety depression. Here are some helpful clues.
Because Type 7 blends emotional and cognitive symptoms, it’s often confused with ADHD or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). A recent article for mental health professionals reported that up to 30% of adults with depression also meet criteria for attention impairments, which can mimic ADHD. However, Type 7 tends to fluctuate with mood, stress levels, or inflammation, whereas ADHD is typically lifelong.
Clinicians should consider Type 7 when:
People with Type 7 will often describe their experience as “unfocused because I’m overwhelmed,” rather than “unfocused no matter what mood I’m in.”
Type 7 is more likely when someone reports:
Research notes that cognitive in mood disorders often presents as slowed processing speed. Keep in mind that this trait is more characteristic of Type 7 than standard ADHD.
Type 7 may develop from a mix of biology, environmental factors, and prior health issues, which includes:
A family history of depression, anxiety, attentional disorders, or executive-function challenges increases risk.
Chronic stress, poor sleep, addictive behaviors, alcohol and substance abuse, hormonal fluctuations, systemic inflammation, or blood sugar instability can worsen Type 7 symptoms dramatically.
Head injury, concussion, toxin exposure, mold exposure, or untreated thyroid issues can all decrease PFC functioning, making cognitive and emotional symptoms more pronounced.
Managing Type 7 symptoms involves strategies that boost focus and calm emotional overactivation. The goal is to support prefrontal cortex function while calming limbic overactivity to promote better executive function and emotional equanimity.
Here are a number of easy, natural ways to help boost prefrontal cortex activity and calm the brain’s emotional centers:
For deeper support, many readers benefit from Amen Clinics’ resources on brain health, including related articles on depression, anxiety, and emotional regulation.
Remember that all types of depression are a brain health issue. The symptoms you experience with Type 7 serve as an indicator that your brain needs help. Be careful not to dismiss the symptoms as something else and delay getting the right treatment.
It can be helpful to note what Type 7 is not:
On a positive note, unfocused anxiety and depression is highly treatable. The challenging symptoms resulting from the emotional imbalance and cognitive underactivity that are characteristic of this anxiety-depression subtype improve with the right strategies. Type 7 responds extremely well to targeted intervention.
While brain SPECT is a vital aspect of Amen Clinics’ comprehensive evaluation, it’s just one portion of it. Clinical diagnosis is based on multiple factors. Our process also includes taking a thorough personal history, traditional psychiatric assessments, cognitive testing, and medical diagnostic. Such a comprehensive approach is aimed at uncovering underlying causes rather than just treating symptoms. The information gathered from each assessment serves as the basis for developing an effective, personalized treatment plan.
If you’ve been cycling between anxious thoughts, low mood, and foggy concentration, Type 7 may finally give a name to your experience. This anxiety-depression subtype has identifiable features, understandable brain patterns, and, most importantly, effective treatment options that address both the emotional and cognitive layers.
You don’t have to navigate these symptoms alone. Amen Clinics’ brain-based approach offers effective solutions to help restore focus, calm anxiety, and lift mood by treating the underlying causes. Personalized plans may include any number of targeted therapies, medication (when necessary), nutraceuticals, and specific lifestyle recommendations, plus ongoing support.
No. While the inattention can feel similar, ADHD is typically lifelong, whereas Type 7 emerges from mood patterns, stress, trauma, or brain chemistry shifts. ADHD involves consistent inattention across situations while Type 7 fluctuates with emotional state.
Imaging is not required, but it is incredibly helpful. Clinicians typically diagnose Type 7 based on medical history, symptoms, and functional changes. SPECT imaging can help clarify whether inattention stems from mood circuits or true ADHD.
Yes. Because it’s a functional pattern, and not structural damage, symptoms can often improve significantly with targeted brain-based strategies, psychotherapy, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.
After gaining an accurate diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional, an individual with Type 7 can initially be helped by establishing a daily rhythm and building healthy habits like eating high-protein meals, getting consistent sleep, and reducing stress with calming activities.
These simple lifestyle adjustments can help foster better focus, more calm, and a stabilized mood. Seeking a comprehensive evaluation at Amen Clinics would provide both an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.
Unfocused depression and anxiety, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
Something doesn’t feel quite right with your mental health, and you’re ready to get help. But you’re stuck on one important question: Should you see a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
If you’re unsure, you’re not alone. Many people feel confused about where to start with mental health care. Choosing the wrong type of support can delay real progress. Understanding the difference between psychology and psychiatry is often the key to getting the right help sooner.
In this blog, we tackle psychology vs psychiatry, explain the types of conditions each one treats, and share insights to help you make informed, confident decisions about your mental health care.
A psychologist relies on different therapeutic interventions and does not prescribe medicine at any given time. A psychiatrist prescribes and manages medication as part of treatment.
A psychologist is a trained mental health professional who primarily focuses on understanding and improving the behavior, thoughts, and emotions of human beings. They are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication, but they provide in-depth therapy and psychological evaluation.
The role of psychologists revolves around psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and behavioral interventions. Usually, they help individuals identify thought and behavioral patterns, process experiences, develop coping strategies, and work toward improving their overall mental well-being.
Related: If You’re Struggling with Mental Health Issues, Welcome to Normal
A psychologist has an advanced degree in psychology, either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in a field of psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). A PsyD has a stronger focus on clinical training, whereas a PhD puts more emphasis on research.
Some of the most common therapeutic approaches psychologists use include:
According to research, CBT is effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. This type of professional can also help support you in developing long-term coping skills.
Psychologists practiced in CBT perform psychological assessments to evaluate behavioral patterns, mood, personality, and cognitive function. The assessments provide them with valuable insights into the patients’ mental health status and help guide them in creating treatment plans.
CBT therapists also help patients navigate transitions in life, manage stress, and cope with chronic health conditions.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They mainly specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health disorders. They attend medical school, where they acquire training on how brain function, physical health, and biology affect mental health.
With this medical background, they have more tools in their toolbox compared to psychologists. In addition to providing helpful forms of therapy, they are also able to prescribe medications (when necessary), and can oversee treatment plans for all mental health concerns, including those that are severe or complex.
The role of a psychiatrist is to provide medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with mental health conditions. Traditional psychiatry typically involves diagnosing patients based on symptom clusters, and treatment is often trial-and-error with prescription medication at the center.
At Amen Clinics, we go beyond traditional psychiatry with evaluations that include:
This helps take the guesswork out of psychiatry to help you get the most effective treatment for faster results.
Some psychiatrists also offer psychotherapy or collaborate with psychologists to provide talk therapy for patients who are dealing with complex mental health needs.
A psychiatrist commonly treats moderate to severe mental health conditions, including those that do not improve with therapy alone. Studies show that psychiatric interventions are highly effective for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, significantly improving daily function.
They also help patients whose symptoms interfere with their daily functioning or whose medical factors are playing a role in their mental health.
Related: Functional Psychiatry: A Better Approach to Mental Health Care
Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They mainly specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health disorders. They attend medical school, where they acquire training on how brain function, physical health, and biology affect mental health.
With this medical background, they have more tools in their toolbox compared to psychologists. In addition to providing helpful forms of therapy, they are also able to prescribe medications (when necessary), and can oversee treatment plans for all mental health concerns, including those that are severe or complex.
The role of a psychiatrist is to provide medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with mental health conditions. Traditional psychiatry typically involves diagnosing patients based on symptom clusters, and treatment is often trial-and-error with prescription medication at the center.
At Amen Clinics, we go beyond traditional psychiatry with evaluations that include:
This helps take the guesswork out of psychiatry to help you get the most effective treatment for faster results.
Some psychiatrists also offer psychotherapy or collaborate with psychologists to provide talk therapy for patients who are dealing with complex mental health needs.
A psychiatrist commonly treats moderate to severe mental health conditions, including those that do not improve with therapy alone. Studies show that psychiatric interventions are highly effective for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, significantly improving daily function.
They also help patients whose symptoms interfere with their daily functioning or whose medical factors are playing a role in their mental health.
Related: Functional Psychiatry: A Better Approach to Mental Health Care
| Psychology | Traditional Psychiatry | Amen Clinics Psychiatry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training | Advanced degree in psychology, either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Focuses on human behavior, mental processes, and emotions. | Licensed medical doctors with full medical training specializing in mental health. | Licensed medical doctors, naturopaths, integrative medicine specialists, and more, with full medical training focused on brain-based mental health conditions. |
| Degrees | PhD or PsyD | MD | MD, DO, ND |
| Diagnosing | Uses clinical evaluations and symptom clusters to diagnose mental health conditions. | Emphasizes medical evaluation and symptom clusters. | Takes a brain-based, whole-person approach that includes brain SPECT imaging, neuropsychological testing, and biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. |
| Treatment | Relies on therapy-based approaches that support behavior change, emotional insight, and coping strategies. | Primarily emphasizes medical treatment. | Provides personalized treatment that may include lifestyle changes, nutrition, supplements, innovative therapies, therapy, and more. |
| Medication | Does not prescribe medication. | Often prescribes and manages medication as part of treatment. | May prescribe and manage medication as part of a broader, personalized treatment plan. |
| Conditions | Typically addresses mild to moderate behavioral and emotional concerns. | Often treats more severe, persistent, or function-impairing symptoms. | Specially trained to handle all types and severities of mental health conditions. |
| Goals | Helps patients develop long-term strategies for emotional regulation and personal growth. | Aims to stabilize symptoms and manage medication. | Gets to the root cause of issues to deliver more targeted treatment for faster results and better outcomes. |
When you visit a psychologist, they help you understand and change your thought patterns, cope with stress, and improve your overall well-being. Below is a list of the conditions they most frequently handle:
Psychologists treat these conditions through talk therapy, relying on methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to guide patients through understanding their emotions and the changes in their behavior. These also help in building coping strategies for patients.
Psychologists also rely on behavioral interventions that help modify unhelpful habits or responses to attain an improvement in mental health outcomes. They use psychological testing and assessment, with tools like personality, cognitive, and mood assessments, to help them understand the underlying patterns and tailor therapy sessions to suit individual needs.
Therapy can help you develop long-term coping skills that will help you manage stressful experiences and situations, improve your emotional regulation, and prevent relapse. For many, working with a psychologist is an important step towards achieving lasting mental well-being.
At Amen Clinics, the clinical team includes more than 50 specialists, including licensed therapists who can provide ongoing therapy for the best results.
Psychiatrists specialize in handling all forms of mental health conditions, including the ones mentioned above that psychologists also handle. They also routinely diagnose and treat more severe conditions, including the following:
For these conditions, the psychiatrists at Amen Clinics take a multi-modal approach to treatment that focuses on getting to the root cause of issues that are not typically discovered by traditional psychiatry. Our mental health evaluations assess brain function, physical health, genetics, and many other factors that impact mental health.
Based on this information, personalized treatment plans can include a wide spectrum of interventions.
It’s important to note that there are many mental health professionals that hold master’s degrees in various fields of psychology and operate much like a psychologist, but with more limitations. This includes:
In addition to earning a master’s degree, they are required to complete extensive post-graduate supervised clinical hours, and they must pass state-specific licensing exams to practice clinically.
These professionals are equipped to evaluate an individual’s mental health and use various therapeutic techniques based on specific training programs. Working with one of these mental health professionals can help to reduce symptoms and lead to a better way of thinking, feeling and living.
Choosing which mental health support to pursue can be overwhelming. The two professionals offer mental health care. However, the best choice will depend on the symptoms you are experiencing, how severe they are, and your personal goals. So here’s how to determine the most effective care:
If your symptoms are situational or mild to moderate and are clearly related to relationships, stress, trauma, or life transitions, a psychologist might be the right choice. They may be a helpful first step as they focus on therapy-based approaches to improve behavior, emotional processing, and coping skills.
If the symptoms persist, worsen, or have unclear root causes, consult a psychiatrist that takes a whole-person, brain-based approach. For example, you could be having severe anxiety and depression, intense mood swings, psychosis, or a combination of issues.
A psychiatrist who understands that mental health is related to brain function can evaluate complex conditions and provide the most effective treatment.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medication to regulate attention, thought processes, and mood, which may be advisable for some conditions or if a person hasn’t experienced relief from therapy alone.
A psychologist can’t prescribe medication but can help patients develop coping strategies, build emotional resilience, and develop long-term thought and behavior patterns. They may also work in conjunction with a psychiatrist for their patients that might benefit from medication.
If your main goal is to talk through the challenges you’ve been experiencing, to understand your emotions, and to develop practical coping skills, a psychologist may be a good way to start.
If your issues are interfering with your daily life, or if standard treatment isn’t working, then a psychiatrist with a brain-based approach is likely to be the best fit.
In some cases, you may want to seek help from both a psychiatrist and a psychologist. Combining psychiatric interventions and therapy can be an effective way to ensure that your behavioral, emotional, and biological factors are addressed. It provides a more comprehensive approach to wellness.
Combined care can be especially beneficial if your mental health concerns are persistent, intense, or involve multiple conditions. According to studies, a combination of medication and psychotherapy often leads to better outcomes than either approach alone, especially in complex or chronic mental health conditions.
At Amen Clinics, we have over 50 specialists, including psychiatrists, integrative psychiatrists, functional medicine experts, naturopathic physicians, psychologists, licensed therapists, nutritionists, and more.
Our team of specialists take a personalized brain-based approach to mental health care. This helps to ensure that each of our patients receives the support that matches their needs. We don’t rely on symptoms alone to make diagnoses. Rather, our care decisions are guided by a deeper understanding of how the brain functions.
We conduct a comprehensive evaluation to understand your mental health symptoms, lifestyle factors, medical history, and brain function.
We use advanced brain imaging to uncover the patterns that are linked to conditions like anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and ADHD. With these added insights, we are able to clarify whether your concerns are primarily behavioral, biological, emotional, or a combination of several factors.
Depending on the individual, medication may not be necessary, and various therapies plus lifestyle interventions (diet, exercise, mindfulness, nutritional supplementation, etc.) improves symptoms and overall well-being.
Amen Clinics focuses on the brain as a crucial part of the entire system, which helps remove guesswork from mental health care. It also supports treatment plans that are evidence-based, targeted, and tailor-made to every individual’s goals.
Your first mental health appointment is a collaborative conversation. It is a judgment-free experience whose main goal is not to label you but to understand your needs and come up with a supportive plan for moving forward.
This appointment helps your care team understand the experiences you’ve been through so that they can decide on the most appropriate steps to begin with.
At Amen Clinics, for example, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your current symptoms in depth, the duration during which they’ve been present, and the effect they’ve had on your daily life. You’ll also be asked about your relevant medical history, lifestyle factors, and any mental health treatment that has been prescribed for you before.
One thing that really sets Amen Clinics apart is the brain imaging and neuropsychological testing. This aspect of a comprehensive evaluation provides your care team with deeper insight into how your brain is functioning.
Through these findings, we will be able to provide personalized recommendations, whether that may involve therapy, medication, changes in lifestyle, or a combination of these approaches.
Ready to Take the Next Step Toward the Right Mental Health?
You don’t need to have everything figured out to take the next step toward mental health care. For most people, it all begins by acknowledging that you need support and reaching out to see a mental health professional.
It depends on your symptoms and goals. If you’re dealing with stress, emotional challenges, or behavioral concerns, it may be helpful for you to start with a psychologist.
If your symptoms are severe, long-lasting, and are interfering with your daily functioning, you may need to consult a psychiatrist. Remember, it’s better to seek treatment from any mental health professional than none at all.
Absolutely. In many cases, patients make great strides when they work with both. Psychiatric care combined with ongoing therapy, coping strategies, and behavior change can support your progress.
At Amen Clinics, we rely on brain imaging to help us understand how your brain is functioning. Lab work and neuropsychological testing provide even greater insights into root causes for your issues. We also take a whole-person approach that evaluates biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that may be impacting your mental health.
This approach guides personalized care and helps determine the most effective way to support your mental health needs.
Anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
At Amen Clinics, we conduct brain-based evaluations and advanced testing on our patients to help guide them to the mental health professional who can provide the most effective care. It can be either a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or both.
Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube Table of Contents The Shingles Vaccine: An Unexpected Ally Against Dementia? If you’ve been putting off the shingles vaccine, there’s a powerful
If you’ve been putting off the shingles vaccine, there’s a powerful new reason to reconsider, and it has nothing to do with avoiding a painful rash. Emerging research suggests the shingles vaccine may help protect your brain.
A newly published study found that people who received the shingles vaccine had a lower risk of developing dementia. Even more striking, among those already diagnosed, vaccination was associated with slower disease progression and reduced mortality. These findings add to a growing body of research pointing to the shingles vaccine as a surprising new ally in the fight against cognitive decline.
This new discovery matters more than ever. Recent data estimates that the lifetime dementia risk may climb as high as 42 percent after age 55, making prevention and brain protection urgent priorities. Scientists are increasingly looking for answers beyond the brain itself and toward the immune system.
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox earlier in life. Researchers have discovered that certain herpes viruses can affect the nervous system, triggering inflammation that may contribute to memory loss and neurodegeneration. Indeed, growing evidence suggests that brain health is strongly linked with immune resilience and infection control.
In this blog, we’ll unpack the latest science linking shingles and dementia, explore how the shingles vaccines may play a protective role in brain health, and share practical steps you can take now to help safeguard your memory as you age.
Related: 12 Ways to Dodge Dementia
Dementia often develops silently over many years. By the time noticeable memory loss or confusion appears, significant damage has already occurred in the brain.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms that affect thinking, memory, and the ability to function in daily life. As the condition develops, individuals may experience any of the following common symptoms of dementia:
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, accounts for an estimated 60 to 80 percent of all cases. It is characterized by the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain that damage neurons and disrupt communication between brain cells, gradually impairing cognitive function.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), close to 7 million older adults in the United States are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to double by 2060. As these rates continue to rise, protecting brain health has never been more critical.
One of the greatest challenges with dementia is that it often develops silently over many years. By the time noticeable memory loss or confusion appears, significant damage has already occurred in the brain.
This is why preventive strategies, including emerging research on the shingles vaccine and dementia risk, are gaining so much attention today.
Shingles is a painful viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox in childhood. While chickenpox typically affects children and young adults, shingles (also known as herpes zoster) most often occurs later in life, after the virus has been lying dormant for years.
Indeed, after a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus does not leave the body. Instead, it remains inactive in nerve cells, particularly in the dorsal root ganglia located near the spinal cord.
The virus can reactivate years or even decades later, often when the immune system is weakened by aging, illness. It travels along nerve pathways to the skin, causing early symptoms such as burning, tingling, or sharp nerve pain. This is followed by the characteristic painful, blistering rash, which usually appears on one side of the body.
Importantly, shingles doesn’t just affect the skin. The infection triggers a powerful immune response that can lead to widespread inflammation throughout the body, including the brain.
This neuroinflammation can damage neurons and the glial cells that support communication between nerve cells. When these brain cells are compromised, the risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions increases.
In fact, research has consistently identified systemic inflammation, and the neuroinflammation it drives, as a key contributor to the development of dementia.
The prevention of shingles with the vaccine appears to do far more than reducing the risk of developing the painful rash. When you are able to reduce the risk of viral reactivation and control inflammation, you safeguard your neurons and slow the progress of the cognitive changes that are age-related.
A remarkable study led by Stanford researchers and first published in Nature in April 2025, found that among older Welsh adults, those who received the shingles vaccine were 20 percent less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years than those who did not receive the vaccine.
The findings support the emerging theory that viruses that impact the nervous system can increase the risk of dementia.
A follow-up study, published in Cell in December 2025, found that the vaccine may also benefit individuals already diagnosed with dementia by slowing the progression of the disease.
Overall, the findings of the studies suggest that preventing shingles and the inflammation and immune stress it causes can help protect the brain cells and preserve memory and cognition.
These findings are promising, but not definitive.
The shingles vaccine can also support your immune system as you age. When you have a well-regulated immune system, it is better able to protect your brain without causing any overreaction. That can help in limiting inflammation-related brain damage that is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Reducing preventable infections is one practical way of protecting your brain in the long term and ensuring you maintain your cognitive abilities even in old age. Getting the shingles vaccine can be a brain-protective measure as well.
According to most health experts, the shingles vaccine is appropriate for adults 50 and years and older. It affects millions of Americans. The CDC reports about 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime.
You are at higher risk of shingles as you get older. This is because their immune function usually weakens over time, which makes viral reactivation more likely. People who’ve had a history of chickenpox, which includes most adults, are at risk.
In addition to individuals with a weakened immune system, those who may be suffering from chronic health conditions, or even high levels of stress, may be more vulnerable to shingles and the inflammation it can cause.
On a very bright note, the Shingrix vaccine is very effective, according to CDC figures. For adults 50 to 69 years, it is 97 percent effective. Over 70 years, it is 91 percent effective.
It’s important to talk to your doctor before getting the shingles vaccine, as it can have side effects and, in rare cases, it may cause severe allergic reactions.
From a brain health perspective, vaccines are a general brain protective measure as they help prevent the infections that can stress your brain and make it more vulnerable to neurodegenerative disease.
While more research is still needed, the shingles vaccine can be one part of a broader plan of preventive measures you can take to reduce your risk of dementia. Research has consistently shown that early brain care and lifestyle choices play a crucial role in helping people maintain their memory, focus, and cognitive function as they age.
Consider adopting some of the following brain-healthy practices to protect against cognitive decline and memory loss.
As you have just learned, chronic inflammation can make a major contribution to cognitive decline. It is beneficial to protect your brain cells through brain healthy nutrition.
Ensure your diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats like omega-3s, lean proteins, and whole foods. Limit added sugars, processed foods, and unhealthy fats to further reduce the inflammation that could harm your brain.
Long-term stress can release stress hormones that may damage your brain, especially in the areas that are involved in memory and learning. Embrace practices like prayer, mindfulness, deep breathing, exercise, and social connection to help calm your brain and support your emotional health.
Sleep is essential for brain repair and the consolidation of memory. Poor sleep causes an increase in inflammation and raises the risk of cognitive decline. It’s important to aim to have seven to nine hours of quality sleep every night and address sleep problems early if you have any.
Regular movement supports increased brain blood flow, which is fantastic for brain function and health. It also supports the growth of new brain cells, and it can help regulate inflammation. Take part in even moderate activities such as stretching, walking, or strength training. They can make a huge difference.
You can reduce the strain on your brain and nervous system by preventing infections, managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, and staying up to date with the recommended vaccinations.
At Amen Clinics, we believe you shouldn’t wait for symptoms to appear before caring for your brain. Using advanced brain SPECT imaging, neuropsychological testing, clinical assessments, and learning your personal health history, our expert clinicians help you understand how your brain is functioning today so that you can take protective measures now.
By identifying potential risk factors such as reduced blood flow, inflammation, or areas under stress early on, we can guide targeted, preventive strategies designed to protect memory, focus, and long-term cognitive health. The earlier you understand your brain, the more power you have to support it for years to come.
There may be no single solution for preventing dementia, but growing evidence suggests the shingles vaccine may support long-term brain health by reducing viral reactivation and inflammation, two factors closely linked to cognitive decline. As part of a preventive strategy, it may offer an important layer of protection for your brain as you age.
True brain protection comes from a whole-person approach. Supporting immune health, managing inflammation, prioritizing sleep, staying physically active, reducing stress, and identifying risk factors early all work together to help preserve memory, focus, and cognitive function over time.
At Amen Clinics, we believe the choices you make today can shape your brain health for years to come. And you can start taking action right now.
The shingles vaccine does not guarantee prevention of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, but research suggests it may help lower risk or slow cognitive decline. By reducing viral reactivation and inflammation that can affect the brain, vaccination may offer an added layer of protection for long-term brain health.
Yes. Shingles can trigger inflammation in the nervous system, which is strongly linked to cognitive decline and dementia. This immune and inflammatory stress may damage brain cells and disrupt communication over time. Preventing shingles may help reduce this burden on the brain and support long-term cognitive health.
Emerging research suggests the shingles vaccine may offer benefits even for individuals who already show signs of dementia, though it is not a treatment or cure. Some studies indicate that vaccination may be associated with slower cognitive decline and reduced mortality, possibly by lowering viral reactivation and calming chronic inflammation that can worsen brain damage.
Because inflammation and immune stress are known contributors to neurodegeneration, preventing shingles and related immune activation may help reduce additional strain on the brain. However, more research is still needed to fully understand how and to what extent the shingles vaccine may benefit people already living with dementia.
Anyone with dementia or other medical conditions should talk with their healthcare provider to determine whether the shingles vaccine is appropriate for their individual situation. When combined with a comprehensive brain health plan (such as reducing inflammation and stress, and getting excellent sleep, nutrition, and overall medical care) vaccination may be one supportive step toward protecting remaining cognitive function.
Amen Clinics takes a personalized, whole-brain approach to protecting cognitive health and reducing dementia risk. Rather than relying on guesswork, our experts use brain SPECT imaging to better understand how your brain functions and identify areas that may be under stress or at risk long before symptoms become severe.
Our team evaluates key factors that influence brain health, such as inflammation, blood flow, sleep quality, nutrition, stress levels, medical history, and immune health. Based on this comprehensive assessment, we create a customized brain health plan designed to help support memory, focus, and long-term cognitive function.
By addressing modifiable risk factors early (such as chronic inflammation, infections, metabolic issues, and lifestyle habits), we help patients take proactive steps to protect their brains as they age. Our goal is not just to treat symptoms, but to support lifelong brain health through prevention, education, and targeted care.
If you’re concerned about memory loss, dementia risk, or optimizing your brain health for the future, Amen Clinics offers a science-based, personalized path forward.
Memory issues, cognitive decline, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
