Christmas is right around the corner. A time of fun and festivities, delights, and decadence. A time when we can enjoy our friends and family and live it up a little.And then January rolls around, and many of us find ourselves feeling a bit blue. And this is why “Blue Monday” has been established.Recognized on the third Monday in January,...[ read more ]
Dealing with a loved one who is depressed is always tough. When that loved one happens to be a parent, the roles flip and you become responsible for their mental health care. Older people get depressed for a variety of reasons such as declining physical ability, a chronic physical illness (e.g stroke), friends and family dying, history of anxiety/depression, and...[ read more ]
If you are suffering from a chronic illness, you are not alone. Almost half of the population in the United States is currently battling some form of chronic physical illness. In fact, chronic illness is the number one driver of healthcare costs in America.Some of the most prevalent examples of chronic illnesses are:EpilepsyHIV/AIDSEndometriosisLupusArthritisDiabetesHeart diseaseFibromyalgiaMany people suffering from a chronic illness...[ read more ]
Disenfranchised grief is a type of grief that isn’t accepted or acknowledged by society. (This makes sense, as Merriam-Webster defines “disenfranchised” as being “deprived of some right, privilege, or immunity.”) For example, people may tell the grieving person that they should be “over it” by now. Unfortunately, when someone’s grief isn’t validated by those around them, they may not get...[ read more ]
In many cases, grief occurs when someone has already suffered a loss. But grief can also result from a loss that is impending but hasn’t yet occurred. When this happens, it’s referred to as “anticipatory grief” or “preparatory grief.”Anticipatory grief commonly affects individuals who are expecting to lose someone or something important in the near future. For example, you may...[ read more ]
Bipolar Disorder (previously referred to as “manic depression”) is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. Someone’s mood can shift from extreme highs (mania or hypomania) to extreme lows (depression). The frequency of these shifts varies from one person to another.What Causes Bipolar Disorder?Researchers are still trying to determine exactly what causes bipolar disorder. With that said, studies...[ read more ]
Does your career often leave you feeling stressed? If so, you’re not alone. According to statistics published by the American Institute of Stress, 40% of workers reported that their job was very or extremely stressful, and 25% viewed their job as the No. 1 stressor in their life. And because stress can make it difficult for you to focus, it...[ read more ]
Anxiety can greatly impact a person’s overall health and well-being, and if you struggle with this condition, you may be willing to do almost anything to relieve your symptoms. There are numerous lifestyle changes you can make to help manage your anxiety—for example, you could try meditating, exercising, sleeping more, and reducing your caffeine and alcohol consumption—but did you know...[ read more ]
Do you tend to start feeling unhappy around the same time each year? If so, you might have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that the American Psychiatric Association estimates affects about 5% of U.S. adults. Below, we explore what causes SAD and describe the symptoms that it often produces.What Causes SAD?Researchers are still working to determine exactly...[ read more ]
If you regularly experience anxiety, you may have researched ways to relieve your symptoms and come across a coping mechanism known as the “333 rule.” But how does it work? The next time you’re feeling anxious, try:Naming three things you seeNaming three sounds you hearMoving three body partsHow Does the 333 Rule Reduce Anxiety?Although the 333 rule doesn’t work in...[ read more ]
