How Military Trauma Affects the Brain
Traumatic events can leave a negative lasting impression on individuals who experience or witness them, usually taking a significant toll on multiple (if not all) areas of their lives. Though many stigmas around seeking professional help have been broken, some continue to be perpetuated, especially in environments where mental and physical resilience are glorified. Military trauma should always be acknowledged and taken seriously. The often extreme and distressing encounters military personnel can experience usually require some form of professional support in order to help them fully process what they went through. Recognizing military trauma and understanding what trauma does to [...]
Understanding Teen Trauma and the Risks of Self Harm
Have you ever heard a teenager complain about some area of their lives and thought to yourself, “Just wait until you’re my age,” or “You’re too young to be complaining about that”? The belief that kids are incapable of suffering trauma, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction and other experiences because of their age is not only incorrect but harmful. Trauma does not discriminate and can be experienced by males and females of all ages from all walks of life. The ways in which these traumas affect individuals will vary, depending on factors such as the nature of the trauma, [...]
The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
Social media as a whole isn’t even 30 years old yet. Social media in the way we think of it in the modern sense (iPhones, TikTok, AI-based algorithms, etc.) is barely 20. In other words, the true social media impact on society has yet to be revealed. It’s changed a lot since the launch of its initial platforms in the late 90s and early 2000s. These platforms evolved from the sharing of status updates and pictures—to sharing live and pre-recorded videos, the ability to call or video chat, offering online shopping and more. For many people, personally and professionally, social [...]
A Closer Look at the Stigma Around Mental Health
Millions of people struggle with mental illnesses every single year in the United States alone, and according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than half of them will never receive the treatment they need. There are many contributing factors to why this, but one of the root causes continues to be stigmas around mental health. Despite all of the progress the mental health care community has made with eliminating much of the publicly spread misinformation, stigmas continue to circulate down through generations and can be especially prevalent within certain cultural and religious communities. While we might not be [...]
5 Seasonal Depression Remedies to Help Your Loved Ones
Seasonal depression is a mental condition that affects individuals when the weather changes. It is most commonly associated with the winter months, and though anyone can experience seasonal depression all year long, it is rare to develop in summer and springtime. If you’ve never experienced seasonal depression, or aren’t entirely sure what it is, you might find yourself at a bit of a loss with a loved one who’s suddenly become withdrawn and irritable. The good news is, there are plenty of things to help with seasonal depression and plenty of ways you can help your loved one relieve their [...]
Top Telling Signs of Bipolar Disorder in Teenagers
Bipolar disorder often gets dismissed in teens due to the common tendency to write off teens' extreme or apathetic behaviors as simply the result of hormones. While that is sometimes the case, other times it goes much deeper. In this article, we’re going to discuss the most common signs of bipolar disorder that parents should be aware of in case their teen begins exhibiting symptoms, as this is a disorder that typically requires professional help to manage and relieve. Main types of bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder is a type of depression that is characterized by an individual who experiences fluctuating [...]
3 Practical and Powerful Mental Health Goals for the New Year
The New Year is the ultimate symbol of change. People commonly set goals around fitness and physical health, but some health goals are more subtle than that and yet, equally as important. These would be the goals for mental health. Remember the timeless phrase, “mind, body and soul” — in order to truly be the healthiest version of yourself, you need to take care of your mind, body and soul. Fitness is just one piece of the puzzle, mental health is another. How you see yourself, talk to yourself and treat yourself matters; how you process your thoughts and feelings [...]
Holiday Anxiety: Top Causes and 4 Practical Ways to Alleviate It
A little bit of stress and some feelings of anxiety during the holidays are completely normal. The time of winter holidays is one of the busiest seasons (arguably, the busiest season) of the year, and one that, unfortunately, doesn’t always feel so merry and bright. For individuals or families of individuals who are struggling with mental health issues, this November–January period can pose a series of challenges, ranging from depression and loneliness to mania and panic. For those who already suffer from chronic anxiety, added stress during the holidays can lead to exacerbated symptoms, such as heightened or severe anxiety [...]
How Does Loneliness Affect Mental Health?
The holiday season can bring a mixed bag of emotions. On the surface, we mostly tend to see individuals who are joyful and fulfilled by the holidays. Overwhelmingly we see these portrayals in commercialized advertisements and social media, platforms that capitalize on the festive season or aim at self-promotion. Beneath the surface, however, many people experience more negative emotions during the holidays. It’s common for individuals to feel isolated, left out, stressed, anxious and alone. Whether it’s grief, financial troubles or loneliness that disrupts the holidays, you’re far from alone if you’re not feeling the season’s cheer. Loneliness during the [...]
Mental Health and Suicide: How Each Affects the Other
The state of our mental health affects every single area of our lives. It’s one of the dominant influences over how we view and feel about ourselves, others and the world around us. It has the power to assist us in holding fast to hope no matter how much we’re struggling, or it can be the defining factor that pushes us to give in to despair. Poor mental health is just one of the many elements that contribute to a person’s decision to commit suicide, a terrible act that affects many other lives besides the one that is claimed. Survivors [...]
How Athletes are Affected by Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Adolescents and young adults who play high school and college sports face unique stressors that can leave them vulnerable to developing substance use and mental health disorders. In this interview, Dominique Jones shares ways that parents, coaches and professionals can support young athletes who are struggling or at risk. Dominique is a primary mental health therapist at High Focus Centers in Sandy Springs, Georgia. A Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, she earned her master’s degree from Clayton State University. Which behavioral health issues are most commonly seen in athletes? There are particular stressors that come along with playing a sport and [...]
The Top Signs Your Teen Needs a Partial Hospitalization Program
Your teenager might require a partial hospitalization program if they begin exhibiting certain signs, such as if they completed a residential treatment plan; are being discharged from an inpatient program; are struggling to develop or maintain daily responsibilities; or have relapsed multiple times.
