How Does Depression Affect the Brain?
What Is Depression? Depression is a serious medical condition that affects how you feel, think, and act. People who suffer from the disease have feelings of sadness and no longer enjoy things that they once loved. In order to be diagnosed with depression, these feelings of sadness and hopelessness must occur for an extended period…
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Anxiety
What is Anxiety? Nervousness and stress are common reactions to events that people have. When those emotions become excessive, the person develops anxiety. According to the American Psychiatric Association, anxiety involves the overwhelming fear and anticipation of a future matter. It can trigger a fight or flight response that often leads to avoidance behavior. Anxiety can negatively affect personal…
Read MorePostpartum Depression: How Common Is It?
The birth of a child can usher in a huge range of feelings, ranging from joy and relief — to stress and exhaustion. Sometimes negative postpartum feelings are mild and will simply dissipate with time. However the “baby blues” signal a deeper issue for some new mothers Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious and surprisingly common…
Read MoreCan You Overcome Agoraphobia?
What is Agoraphobia? When most people hear the term agoraphobia, they think about people who are unable to leave their homes. That is a severe case. For most people, agoraphobia is a form of anxiety where you start to avoid places and situations that cause you to panic or feel trapped. Many are afraid of…
Read MoreWhat are Situational Stressors and How to Deal With Them
Situational stressors are temporary situations which are scary and which you have no control over. These may include both negative and positive events. A presentation you have to give is a situational stressor. So is getting married, especially when the relatives start showing up. It’s important to note that situational stress is, almost by definition,…
Read MoreUnderstanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurs when one experiences difficulties with controlling physical movement and energy or paying attention. It is estimated that about 8.4 % of children in the United States have ADHD. Sometimes the symptoms can be present in children who are as young as three years. Helping Children With ADHD Parents have the responsibility of…
Read MoreUnderstanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of mental illness characterized by uncontrollable thoughts and urges that result in repetitive actions, or compulsions, as a coping mechanism. There doesn’t seem to be one single cause of OCD; rather, it is thought to be the result of a combination of neurobiological, genetic, and environmental factors. According to one…
Read MoreWhat Is An Anxiety Evaluation?
Anxiety-related disorders are the most common mental health issues in America. These disorders can be debilitating, eating into our quality of life by making us afraid in our day-to-day life. These disorders include (but are not limited to): Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Social Anxiety Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD) Phobias Panic Disorder Agoraphobia While…
Read More4 Things You Can Do When Having a Panic Attack
Our bodies are hard-wired to survive. That is why we have the “fight-or-flight” response: it keeps us from entering into dangerous situations or, in the event that we experience something dangerous, heightens our senses, so we can respond appropriately and survive the threat. For those with an anxiety disorder, however, the response can be an…
Read MoreHow Long Can Postpartum Depression Last For?
Having a baby should be a joyful time. However, it isn’t always that way. Many new mothers struggle with postpartum depression, which can really be hard on a new family. What is postpartum depression? Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after childbirth. Those who suffer from the disease are more likely to have depression throughout…
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