Could Insulin Resistance Be Driving Treatment-Resistant Depression? And How EXOMIND TMS Might Help
By Andrew J Hewitt, PMHNP-BC Abstract Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a formidable clinical challenge. Emerging evidence suggests that metabolic dysregulation—particularly insulin resistance (IR)—may underlie or perpetuate depressive states unresponsive to standard therapies. This blog reviews recent evidence linking IR to antidepressant nonresponse, explores possible mechanistic pathways (neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier dysfunction, neurotransmitter dysregulation), and describes how EXOMIND […]
Existence Erased: A PMHNP-BC’s Clinical Analysis of Spider-Boy (Bailey Briggs)
By Andrew J. Hewitt, APRN-BC Abstract Bailey Briggs, known as Spider-Boy, is a young superhero whose existence was literally erased from reality—bringing unique psychological complexities surrounding identity, trauma, reality, and belonging. This article explores his mental health through a DSM-5 lens, addressing themes such as identity disruption, grief, existential insecurity, and resilience. His narrative offers […]
Finding Calm in Chaos: Regaining Emotional Control with ACT in New Port Richey
By: Yvette Triana LMHC Not long ago, a client in my New Port Richey office shared, “I feel like I’m drowning in stress. No matter what I do, my emotions run the show.” That sense of being pulled under by our own feelings is something many people know all too well. When stress builds—whether from work, family […]
Unraveling Wiccan: A PMHNP-BC’s Mental Health Perspective on Billy Kaplan
By: Andrew Hewitt, PMHNP-BC AbstractWilliam “Billy” Kaplan—codename Wiccan—is a powerful young superhero in the Marvel Universe. As a queer, Jewish teen grappling with trauma, identity, and extraordinary magical powers, his psychological landscape is rich for clinical exploration. This blog, authored by a PMHNP-BC, examines his character through the lens of the DSM-5, grounding the analysis […]
More Than One Goodbye: The Mental Health Impact of Polyamorous Breakups
By: Andrew Hewitt, PMHNP-BC As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I’ve observed that breakups are among the most challenging life events, regardless of relationship structure. However, the dissolution of a polyamorous relationship can present unique and complex mental health challenges that are often misunderstood or invalidated by a mononormative society. The grief, anxiety, and distress […]
Breaking Free: A PMHNP-BC’s Clinical Insight into Laura Kinney (X-23)
By Andrew J. Hewitt, APRN-BC Abstract Laura Kinney, known as X-23, embodies profound themes of trauma, identity fragmentation, self-harm, and eventual growth. Created as a cloned assassin, her journey mirrors complex post-traumatic stress, dissociation, and recovery pathways. This blog explores X-23’s psychological profile through DSM-5–informed constructs and recent comic storylines, offering a narrative that resonates with […]
Harnessing the Power of Movement: The PMHNP-BC Perspective on Exercise and Mental Health
By: Andrew J Hewitt, PMHNP-BC Abstract Physical activity is more than a path to physical fitness—it is a powerful intervention for mental wellness. Grounded in DSM-5 principles and contemporary evidence, this paper explores how aerobic, resistance, mind-body, and combined exercise modalities positively impact mood, anxiety, cognition, and quality of life across diverse populations. Drawing from […]
Into the Shadows of Limbo: A Clinical Exploration of Magik (Illyana Rasputina)
By Andrew J. Hewitt , APRN-BC Abstract Illyana Rasputina—known as Magik—is a profoundly complex X-Men character whose arc is marked by trauma, dissociation, identity fragmentation, and resilience. This analysis applies DSM-5–informed constructs to unpack symptoms and adaptive patterns shaped by her early abduction, extended trauma in Limbo, and the emergence of her demonic persona, Darkchilde. Citing […]
Breaking Through Dimensions: A PMHNP-BC’s Clinical Exploration of America Chavez Through DSM-5
Author: Andrew J. Hewitt, APRN-BC Abstract America Chavez, also known as Miss America, is a queer Latina superhero whose identity is shaped by trauma, resilience, intersectional identity, and heroism. This paper examines her psychological profile through the DSM-5 framework, highlighting grief processing, identity development, and anxiety regulation. Her narrative offers valuable lessons for clinicians employing Superhero Therapy and […]
Unmasking Ironheart: A PMHNP-BC’s Clinical Exploration of Riri Williams
Author: Andrew J Hewitt, APRN-BC Abstract Marvel’s Riri Williams—known as Ironheart—is a teenage engineering prodigy whose journey is marked by trauma, responsibility, and ethical complexity. This clinical paper applies a mental health framework grounded in DSM-5 constructs to examine her motivations, emotional regulation, and resilience. Drawing on recent portrayals in the MCU and comic canon, it offers […]