One out of every five adults each year will have a mental health illness. Effects of mental health problems are devastating for the person affected and their families. The impact can be especially troubling for men, who often do not seek treatment because it is seen as a sign of weakness. It is [...]
Interestingly, society has an “ideal” notion of the “typical” or “normal” family system while, at the same time, ongoing societal changes have created altered ways in which families are structured. We think about family functioning and family dynamics in broader contexts and there is likely no longer a true “normal or typical” family [...]
The opioid crisis is all over the news—local and international. And it is in our own community. So, first things first. What is important to know? The first thing all of us can do is to dispel the myth that addiction only happens to certain types of people. In fact, it cuts across [...]
Women often experience abuse of many types, and it can have a very corrosive impact on their mental health. One out of every three girls will be sexually abused before they reach age 18. There are 2.9 million cases of child abuse reported every year in the US. The magnitude and epidemic of [...]
Grief can be defined a number of ways and there does not seem to be any “one size fits all” definition that covers the full scope. For the purposes of this discussion, grief will be defined as a normal, but broad range of emotional responses to loss or change of any kind. These [...]
Observing and experiencing defiant behavior in children is absolutely normal in certain circumstances as children tend to test limits and learn to express their frustration, resistance, and reluctance in doing things they do not want to do. However, in the normal course of child development and in the typical establishment of hierarchical power [...]
The term “Bipolar” is sometimes used casually to describe a person’s erratic behavior or emotions. However, Bipolar Disorder is an actual brain disorder causing severe impairment in multiple areas of functioning, primarily shifts in energy, mood, judgment and cognitive functioning. It impacts millions of people in the United States who either have the [...]
Sleep deprivation can be both a cause and an effect of several mental health disorders and many physiological health concerns including, but not limited to: cardiovascular issues, obesity, immune system deficiencies, and Type II Diabetes. Anxiety can cause sleep problems and sleep loss can result in anxiety symptoms. Depression and moodiness can cause [...]
Research has indicated that mindfulness practices are effective ways to reduce and manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. Thoughts and beliefs influence feelings and thus sensations and ultimately symptoms of anxiety and depression. These thoughts and feelings can rapidly change with anxiety or sometimes become stuck and keep repeating like a hiccup; and [...]
A surprising statement from a therapist-but, unless your child/adolescent has something biologically going on—and yes, depression , anxiety and ADHD is biologically triggered—do a quick assessment of the “basics” in your family life before you contact a therapist! You know, even if something biologically triggered is going on, getting these basics in order [...]
