Royal Gorge Psychiatry

01/29/2026

https://youtu.be/8BCQBLZZZ-o?si=WKcmz66OSy-Nuofc

Why does a messy house feel so overwhelming? In this episode, Dr. Becky unpacks the deeper emotional roots behind why physical clutter—like the laundry pile ...

10/31/2025

https://youtu.be/NXxytf6kfPM?si=1CMBSNfV8VMGarPm

While studying to become a clinical psychologist, Dr. Xavier Amador had a life-altering experience when his older brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I...

10/31/2025

🧠 What Is Anosognosia?

Anosognosia is a neurological condition that causes a person to lose the ability to recognize that they are ill.
It is not denial — it’s a symptom of brain dysfunction that affects self-awareness, often involving areas like the frontal and parietal lobes.

This phenomenon is common in serious mental illnesses such as:

Schizophrenia

Bipolar disorder

Severe depression

Some neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, dementia)

When anosognosia is present, individuals may sincerely believe:

“I’m not sick.”
“I don’t need medication.”
“Everyone else is overreacting.”

This isn’t willful resistance — their brain literally cannot register their symptoms the way others can.
That’s why confrontation or logic rarely work. Compassion, patience, and structured communication methods (like the LEAP approach — Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner) are far more effective.

Understanding anosognosia helps reduce frustration, stigma, and blame. It reminds us that insight isn’t a choice — it’s a brain function that can be disrupted by illness.

04/06/2025

I had a patient ask me about the relationship between stimulant use for ADHD and early onset Alzheimer Disease (AD). I had never heard of such a correlation so I did some reading.

The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Murry N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno N.D. (p. 276)

I learned that 70% of all AD cases have a genetic predisposition for AD. They went on to say that lifestyle can also have a huge impact, especially if you have the genetic predisposition. Other than genetics the primary factors mentioned in this short chapter include: diet, lifestyle, exercise, workplace hazards, and TBIs.

It is amazing to me the number of times I have read about the ability of diet, exercise, and quality sleep to prevent most major medical and mental health conditions. It is no surprise that the book mentions the rise in AD which has a positive correlation to increasing rates of type 2 diabetes.

I would love to hear your thoughts :-) Have a great day

11/04/2024

Building Bridges to Better Mental Health

https://www.royalgorgepsychiatry.com/

11/04/2024

11/04/2024

Professional verification provided by Psychology Today

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists/karl-james-weber-canon-city-co/1399151