Have you recently lost a dream? Maybe you always imagined going to the college your parents attended, but you received a rejection letter after applying. Perhaps you pictured getting back together with a significant other, but you found out that they’ve gotten married to someone else. Or maybe you dreamed of having a family, but you’re dealing with infertility.Whatever the...[ read more ]
As spring approaches, you might have the urge to thoroughly clean your home. Known as “spring cleaning,” this ritual commonly involves getting rid of items you no longer need and paying attention to areas that you often miss during regular cleaning sessions (for example, your baseboards, grout, and window treatments).Spring cleaning offers numerous physical benefits—in addition to providing a workout,...[ 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 ]
Has one of your friends or family members been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Below, we explain what OCD is, and we also offer tips for what you can do to support your loved one as they deal with this condition.What Is OCD?Obsessive-compulsive disorder causes someone to have recurring, unwanted thoughts and urges (obsessions) and/or perform repetitive actions (compulsions), often...[ read more ]
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can cause a person to have recurring, unwanted thoughts and urges (obsessions) and/or repetitively perform certain actions (compulsions). But did you know that there are numerous types of OCD? Below are five of the most common forms of this disorder.1. Checking OCDThis type of OCD causes someone to repeatedly check items around their house because they’re worried...[ read more ]
If a friend or family member has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you probably want to do whatever you can to help them. But if you’ve never dealt with this disorder yourself, you might have a hard time figuring out what to say. Your goal should be to empathize with them and offer support, so with that in mind, you’ll want to...[ read more ]
If you’re having trouble feeling safe after experiencing a traumatic event or series of events—whether recently or in the distant past—you’re not alone. It’s very common for trauma to cause people to lose their sense of safety. In fact, studies show that traumatic experiences can alter the way that the brain and central nervous system function, causing someone to feel...[ read more ]
When someone lives through a traumatic event, they may begin experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. If these symptoms worsen, interfere with the person’s daily routine, or persist for an extended period of time (months or years), it’s referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This mental health condition is quite common—in fact, according to statistics published by...[ read more ]
Social media offers a number of benefits. It can help us feel more connected to our loved ones, introduce us to like-minded individuals who have similar interests, keep us updated on news and current events, and inspire us to try new things, just to name a few.Unfortunately, social media can also make it easier for people to cheat on their...[ read more ]
Do you have a friend or family member who regularly experiences panic attacks? If so, you may be looking for ways to recognize when these attacks are taking place and offer your support. We’ve got the answers you need below.How to Recognize a Panic AttackEven if you’ve experienced panic attacks yourself, it can be difficult to tell when someone around...[ read more ]