November 9, 2022
Feeling depressed over the winter holidays? You’re not alone. A study showed 14 percent of adults in the US are affected by seasonal mood changes, or “the winter blues”. Another 6 percent experience a more severe major depressive order called SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. Add holidays to the mix and it can take serious effort to maintain a healthy mindset over the winter. Here are some evidence-based tips on how to deal with depression over the holidays. Get Outside Vitamin D from sunlight is critical to boosting mental health. It plays a major role in mood and production of ...
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October 6, 2022
As parents, we all want the best for our children. We want them to live long, healthy, happy lives. The best chance for this to happen is by establishing healthy habits early on. Here are 5 healthy habits to support children’s emotional well-being. 1. Model Behavior From birth, we learn by watching and listening to others. This is called inductive learning, or discovery learning. Then, we imitate what we’ve seen or heard. The most effective way parents can encourage healthy habits is by practicing these healthy habits themselves. Lead by example. Children inevitably pick up some of the mannerisms, language, ...
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September 8, 2022
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that affects mood and behavior with the change of the seasons. Most people with SAD start to experience symptoms in the late fall or early winter, and disperse during spring and summer. This is defined as winter-pattern seasonal affective disorder. Others experience symptoms during the spring and summer, known as summer-pattern SAD. These symptoms often last up to four or five months a year. Symptoms Of Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include: Feeling depressed for weeks or months on end Losing interest in hobbies or social activities ...
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August 8, 2022
Both patients and psychiatrists face hurdles in treating bipolar disorder effectively. Here are three areas that challenge healthy outcomes when it comes to treating this condition. Proper Diagnosis According to the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (DMDA), 69 percent of patients with bipolar disorder were initially misdiagnosed. Over a third were misdiagnosed for ten years or more. It is absolutely critical for those who believe they are suffering from bipolar disorder to receive a professional psychiatric assessment as early as possible. Missteps in diagnosis or treatment plans can lead to years of pain and anguish. Even a misdiagnosis between ...
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July 5, 2022
From 1990-2009, the teen suicide rate had shown a steady decline. Then, in 2010, as smartphone and social media use increased rapidly, the teen suicide rate started to rise again. While the long-term impacts of social media on teen suicide and self-harm is unknown, early indicators are not good. Several studies show that teens who spend the most time on social media report a substantially higher rate of depression than those who spend the least time. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Between 2007 and 2018, the suicide rate among 10 to 24 year olds increased nearly 60 ...
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June 6, 2022
A good book can be life-changing. Here are 4 must-read books on mental health we recommend. Don’t Feed The Monkey Mind By Jennifer Shannon, LMFT Are you giving up your long-term interests or compromising your personal values in exchange for short-term anxiety relief? This straightforward and well written guide by psychotherapist Jennifer Shannon provides a cognitive behavioral therapy-based approach to managing anxiety and anxious thoughts. In addition to mindfulness and ACT, (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) the author provides simple, effective techniques that are easy to learn and implement. Mindfulness For Anger Management By Dr. Stephen Dansiger Mindfulness for Anger Management: ...
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May 6, 2022
Some days, coping with depression just means making it through another day. You’ve managed to climb out of bed, maybe even put on some pants, but the prospect of another 24 hours seems daunting. What can you do right now to change your mood? Here are a few simple and easy-to-implement techniques to cope with depression right now. Laugh “It is impossible for you to be angry and laugh at the same time. Anger and laughter are mutually exclusive and you have the power to choose either.” -Wayne Dyer Laughter releases endorphins which decrease stress hormones and improve your resistance ...
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April 8, 2022
To maximize the value and impact of marriage counseling, it requires a serious effort and commitment from both partners. Despite being at odds or in disagreement on something, they must always consider themselves a team, the counselor as the coach, and divorce as the opposing team. If you aren’t in it to win it, what are you playing for? Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of marriage counseling. 1. Set Clear Goals For Yourself Before your first session, take some time to think about what you really want out of marriage counseling. Is there ...
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March 6, 2022
Managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, can be a challenge. It requires patience, practice, and self-discipline. It also requires a personalized strategy designed to create change. This is where cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that challenges negative patterns of thought in order to remove unwanted behavior problems or treat mood disorders. By being more aware of these patterns, and working to change them, the patient is able to think more clearly and respond in a more effective manner. According to a 2018 study, researchers found cognitive behavioral therapy could reduce ...
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February 7, 2022
Every family faces a unique set of challenges. For some, it’s a lack of communication. For others, it’s a family member with a substance abuse disorder. Family therapy can help resolve these problems in your relationships, whether they are between a partner, children, or other family members. It creates a safe, controlled space for everyone to discuss their thoughts and feelings without fear of repercussion or ridicule. How do you know when it’s time for family therapy? If one or more of the following symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to speak with a professional. Changes In Behavior - Has your ...
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