Am I self-medicating?

Everyone deals with stress differently. And, the last year has been filled with a ton of different emotions – anger, anxiety, stress, sadness. Everyone is looking for a way to relax and just shut everything out. You may find yourself reaching for a drink, lighting up a joint, or taking prescriptions to fall asleep or…

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How to talk to someone who has depression

What Not To Say to a Person Experiencing Depression If you have a friend or loved one with depression, you might be left wondering how to talk to him or her in a comforting and helpful way.  It helps if we first briefly discuss what depression is. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling…

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Seasonal Affective Disorder – More Than Just the Winter Blues

Fall is officially here. It is that pumpkin spice time of year, the weather is getting cooler, and the days are getting shorter. Many people find their mood changes as summer ends. According to the National Institute of Health, almost 20 percent of people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression. And,…

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A Sunny Disposition: Sunlight and Mental Health

Too much direct sunlight on your skin can be harmful. But moderate exposure to the sun’s rays is vital for physical and mental health. The natural cycles of daylight and darkness, known to science as “the circadian rhythm,” control the release of important mood-altering hormones in the brain.   Exposure to sunlight triggers production of…

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Why Women Are More Likely to Become Depressed

Depression has been called the most significant mental health risk for women, especially younger women of childbearing and childrearing age, according to the American Psychology Association. Roughly one in five women develop depression at some point in their life. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to have depression, with onset most common between ages…

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Recognizing Depression in Children and Teens

Your 11-year-old is the class bully. Your 15-year-old daughter exhibits frequent sudden bursts of anger. Normal signs of childhood development or early warning signs? Depression is a serious problem in both children and teens, and learning to recognize the symptoms early can help prevent future episodes and set them up for behavioral health success. What…

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Finding Holiday Joy Amidst Grief

When The Holidays Don’t Feel Merry Holidays are often difficult for anyone who has experienced a severe change, such as the loss of a job, a divorce, a child’s leaving home for college, or worse—the death of a loved one.  Rather than representing times of family togetherness, joy and thanksgiving, holidays can evoke feelings of…

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