Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Recognize when your loved one should seek professional help. Give your loved one some referrals. Offer to make an appointment for your loved one. Accompany your loved one to the first appointment. Encourage your loved one to find a good counseling fit. Suggest different types of therapy. Suggest the possibility of medication. Pair medication with psychotherapy. Encourage patience. Determine if you should get permission to discuss treatment. Make a list of medications and treatments. Communicate with others in the person's support network.

Answer: Before you two try to tackle the problem on your own, understand that untreated depression is very serious. You can still help your friend, but he should also see a mental health professional. There are different types of therapists, each of whom offers different skills or specialties. These include counselors, counseling psychologists, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. You can see one or a combination of different ones. Counseling psychologists or counselors: Counseling psychology is a field of therapy that focuses on helping skills and helping people overcome difficult times in their lives. This type of therapy can be short or long-term and is often problem-specific and goal-directed. Look for licensed professional counselors (LPCs) or national certified counselors recognized by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Clinical psychologists: These are trained to administer tests to confirm a diagnosis and therefore, tend to focus more psychopathology, or the study of behavioral or mental disorders. Psychiatrists: These may use psychotherapy and scales or tests in their practice, but are typically seen when medication is an option the patient wants to explore. In most states, only psychiatrists can prescribe medication. For help finding a counselor, consider recommendations from friends or family, religious community leaders, a local community mental health center, or a medical doctor. Other professional associations like the American Psychological Association may provide search functions for locating their members in your area. If your loved one is unsure about seeing a medical professional, you might consider setting up the appointment for him. Sometimes, it can be difficult for someone to take this first step, so he might need your help doing so. You can accompany your loved one to see the doctor so he is more comfortable. If you talk directly with the mental health professional, you might have the chance to tell her briefly about your loved one's symptoms. But keep in mind that this counselor will likely want to talk to your loved one alone. If the first counseling session doesn't work out well for your loved one, encourage him to try another counselor. A bad counseling experience can put someone off the whole idea. Remember that not all mental health professionals are alike. If your loved one doesn't like his counselor, help him find a new counselor. Three main therapies have most consistently shown a benefit to patients. These are cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Your loved one may benefit from different types of therapy depending on his situation. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): The goal of CBT is to challenge and change beliefs, attitudes, and preconceptions that are thought to underlie depressive symptoms and effect change to maladaptive behaviors. Interpersonal therapy (IPT): IPT focuses on dealing with life changes, building social skills, and addressing other interpersonal issues that may contribute to depressive symptoms. IPT may be particularly effective if a specific event (such as a death) has triggered a recent depressive episode. Psychodynamic therapy: This type of therapy aims to help a person understand and cope with feeling that derive from unresolved conflicts. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on identifying unconscious feelings. Antidepressants can help a depressed person feel better while they undergo counseling. Antidepressants affect the neurotransmitter of the brain to try to counteract problems in how neurotransmitters are made and/or used by the brain. Antidepressants are categorized based on the neurotransmitters they affect. The most common types are SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclics. Names of some of the most widely used antidepressants can be found by searching for antidepressants online. If an antidepressant alone isn't working, your therapist might recommend an antipsychotic. There are 3 antipsychotics (aripiprazole, quetiapine, risperidone) and an antidepressant/antipsychotic combination therapy (fluoxetine/olanzapine) approved to be used along with a standard antidepressant for treating depression when an antidepressant alone is not working. A psychiatrist may suggest trying a few different medications until one seems to work. Some antidepressants backfire on some people. It's important that you and your loved one monitor how the medication affects him. Take special note of any negative or unwelcome change in mood immediately. Usually, switching to a different class of drug will fix the problem. To maximize how medication works, your loved one should continue to visit a mental health professional on a regular basis while taking the medication. Both you and your loved one should be patient. The effects of counseling and medication are gradual. Your loved one will be attending regular sessions for at least a few months before noticing an effect. Neither of you should give up hope before the counseling and medication has had time to work. Generally speaking, it will take at least three months to see any lasting effect from an antidepressant. Depending on your relationship with this person, you might see if you can get permission to discuss treatments with his doctors. Normally, someone's medical records and information are confidential. There are special considerations regarding records privacy when mental health is concerned. Your loved one would most likely need to give written permission for you to discuss treatments. If your loved one is a minor (under the age of consent), the parent or guardian will have permission to discuss treatment. Compile a list of medications that your loved one takes, including dosages. List the treatments he is receiving as well. This will help in making sure that your loved one is following his treatments and keeping up with his medications. You should not be the only person who is trying to help your loved one. Get in touch with trusted family, friends, or clergy. If the depressed person is an adult, be sure to ask him for permission first to speak with others and rally support. By talking to others, you will pick up additional information and perspectives about your loved one. This will help you feel less alone with the situation. Be careful when you tell other people about the person's depression. People can be judgmental if they do not understand the issue fully. Carefully choose whom you tell.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Check to see if home cultivation is allowed in your state. Become eligible to use medical marijuana. Determine how much you can grow. Know the limits on how it can be used.

Answer:
Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia all allow the use of medical marijuana, but you cannot grow your own marijuana in these states. You can grow medical marijuana in the following states: You can cultivate without restrictions in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington A special license is required in New Mexico. In Arizona you can only cultivate if you lived 25 miles or more form a dispensary when you apply for a card In Nevada you can cultivate if you live 25 or more mile form a dispensary, if you are unable to travel to a dispensary, or if the dispensary does not carry the strains you need. In all states where you can grow marijuana, you will need a doctor's prescription in order to do so legally. In most states, you will also need to register with the state. Here are the requirements in states where personal cultivation is allowed: Registration mandatory: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Vermont Registration voluntary: California, Maine, New Mexico No registration required: Washington Most states that allow home cultivation put a limit on the number of plants you can grow at one time, with that limit generally ranging from 6 to 12 plants. For a breakdown of how much marijuana you can grow in each state, see http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881#details. In most states where marijuana is legal, you can use it in any form liquid, pill, vaporized, or smoked. However, it is illegal to smoke medical marijuana in Minnesota and New York.