What is Persistent Depressive Disorder? Understanding the Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment
Have you found yourself trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of energy? If so, you may be experiencing persistent depressive disorder (PDD). While PDD can make life feel unbearable, it’s important to understand that it doesn’t have to be the norm. In fact, PDD is highly treatable, and with the right approach, individuals can regain...
Learn More
Expectations for the Grieving Process
Have you ever wondered “is this normal?” during the grieving process. We are here to help you answer that question. According to Therese Rando, there are many things you can expect during the grieving process.
You can expect that the grieving process will take longer than most think. According to the Center for Prolonged Grief, “Acute grief occurs in the initial period after a...
Learn More
Is Borderline Personality Disorder Genetic?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition characterized by emotional instability, which can lead to unpredictable moods, behaviors, and relationships. People with BPD often experience difficulties in maintaining stable interpersonal connections, have a distorted self-image, and exhibit impulsive tendencies. A question frequently asked is, “Is...
Learn More
Managing Depression: 14 Tips for Balancing Responsibilities
If you are managing depression and finding it challenging to handle your responsibilities, know that you are not alone. Major depressive disorder (MDD) can have a significant impact, but with recovery and symptom reduction, there is hope. Here are some tips that may assist you in managing depression while fulfilling your obligations:
Seek professional help: Never...
Learn More
Adverse Childhood Experiences ACEs: Understanding the Impact of Childhood Trauma and Building Resilience
Childhood is a time of innocence, wonder, and growth. However, for some individuals, this period may be marred by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that can have a lasting impact on their lives. In this blog post, we will explore the world of ACEs, delve into their effects, discuss the importance of addressing and mitigating the consequences of childhood trauma, and explore...
Learn More
Bonding With Your Baby: Tips for Postpartum Attachment
Becoming a new parent is an incredible journey filled with challenges and joys. For many new mothers, the postpartum period can be particularly demanding as they navigate the physical and emotional changes that accompany giving birth. Bonding with your baby and developing a strong attachment with your newborn is a vital aspect of the postpartum period.
Postpartum attachment refers...
Learn More
The Impact of Perinatal Loss on Parental Mental Health
The emotional toll of perinatal loss, a devastating experience of losing a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth, is often overlooked and underestimated. This article sheds light on the profound effects it has on the mental health of parents and highlights available treatment options for healing and support.
The Emotional Consequences of Perinatal...
Learn More
Attachment Styles in Adult Romantic Relationships
Attachment theory, which was first introduced by British psychoanalyst John Bowlby in the 1950s and 60s, posits that the way a child forms attachments to their primary caregiver can have a significant impact on how we approach romantic relationships as adults. Research has shown that early attachment styles can manifest in a variety of ways within our adult romantic relationships,...
Learn More
Do I Need Antidepressants? 5 Ways To Tell
Depression is a common mental health disorder that can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. According to the World Health Organization, more than 264 million people worldwide experience depression. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, you may be wondering, “Do I Need Antidepressants?”
Here are some signs that antidepressants might be right for...
Learn More
How to Find a Good Therapist for You
The decision to start therapy can be a courageous and empowering step towards improving your mental health and overall wellness. However, how to find a good therapist for you can be a daunting task. With so many choices available, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure that you find a therapist who meets your unique needs and preferences. Here are some key...
Learn More
The Fight Response on the Road AKA Road Rage
Welcome back to our stress responses series; what they are and how they manifest in different contexts. So far, we’ve explored the different stages of the freeze response: Freeze in a survival scenario and Freeze during social threats, and in our last blog, you survived the ultimate cage fight with Michael Myers (you’ll have to go back and read that one if you are wondering how you...
Learn More
Fight or Flight? An Exploration of the Fight Response in a Horror Film
Welcome back to this series on the stress responses. Our hope is to untangle the web of confusion that has been spun surrounding these responses, and to demystify this innate human ability that we all possess and experience regularly. Our last two articles explored the freeze response—you learned how to recognize the differing stages of the freeze response in both Big T (catastrophic...
Learn More
Understanding the Freeze Response During Social “Threats”
In our last blog, Stress Responses: What Are They, How Do They Work, and Why I am so Confused!?, you survived a vicious bear attack and learned how the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in when other responses fail. We explored different stages of the freeze response, and how to recognize them. You also learned some pretty cool new words, like neuroception and ventral vagal,...
Learn More
Stress Responses: What Are They, How Do They Work, and Why I am so Confused!?
The stress responses conversation has been ramping up on social media as we move closer to becoming a more emotionally intelligent and trauma-informed society. But what are stress responses, how do they work, how can I recognize if I am in one; and is it me, or do they keep changing? These are all valid questions that we will try to break down in this blog series.
By now, most of...
Learn More
“Mom Brain” or Something Else? Understanding Undiagnosed ADHD in Women
Many women report having “mom brain,” in which they report being forgetful, having difficulty concentrating, and being impatient. While “mom brain” has been proven to be a real phenomenon, it is typically reported by women who are pregnant or have young children. “Mom brain” is situational and typically goes away on its own. These same symptoms, however, can also be indicative of...
Learn More
What Are Intrusive Thoughts? And What Can You Do About Them?
Intrusive thoughts can occur at any time and are just as they sound—intrusive! Intrusive thoughts are thoughts that come out of nowhere, are involuntary, and can be difficult to get rid of. Common examples of intrusive thoughts include wondering if the doors are locked, if the stove or curling iron is turned off, or if people like you.
Everyone experiences intrusive thoughts at some...
Learn More
Know the Signs: “Baby Blues” vs. Postpartum Depression
A new baby, whether your first, second, or seventh, can come with a lot of other “newness.” New responsibilities, new memories, new roles, new aches, new fears— parenthood comes with the good, the bad, and all the in between. Adjusting and finding ways to balance this new normal can easily overwhelm the best of us. While newness is one change that comes from bringing a baby into...
Learn More
The Five Love Languages, The Basics
Have you ever felt like you were putting a lot of effort into showing love to your partner, but they just didn’t seem to be getting the message? Or maybe you have felt like you and your partner aren’t speaking the same language when it comes to showing affection. Learning which of the five languages is yours and which is your partner’s could be the key to unlocking a...
Learn More