Education Center and Blog
Below you will find educational articles and insights from Dr. McWilliams regarding various mental health topics and treatments
Do I Need Medication? Therapy? or Both? Here’s What The Research Tells Us
Therapy and medication for depression produce similar results — but together, they're synergistic. Here's what the research shows and why it works.
Read MoreIs it Depression or Burnout? How to Tell the Difference
Burnout and depression share many symptoms, but they have different causes and require different treatments. A psychiatrist explains how to tell them apart.
Read MoreAlcohol Is Disruptive To Sleep – Even If It Seems To Help
Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but it disrupts sleep architecture, suppresses REM sleep, worsens sleep apnea, and becomes habit-forming over time. A Columbia, MD psychiatrist explains why alcohol is not a sleep aid and what to do instead.
Read MorePart II: How CBT-I Begins: Sleep Assessment and the Sleep Diary
CBT-I begins with a thorough assessment and two weeks of sleep diary data before any interventions start. A Columbia, MD psychiatrist walks through what the assessment covers, how sleep efficiency is calculated, and what to expect before treatment begins.
Read MoreAre Two Failed Antidepressants Enough? Why Ketamine Might Not be the Early Intervention it is Being Marketed As
As a psychiatrist practicing in Columbia, Maryland and seeing patients virtually across Maryland, Virginia, and Wisconsin, I regularly evaluate people who have tried ketamine with little to no legimitate treatment history. Brand new patients often ask about starting with ketamine immediately without having tried anything else. This article is an attempt to offer a more complete picture - one that takes ketamine seriously - while being realistic about when it's the right tool, and when it isn't.
Read More



