Counseling News

When your loved one is suffering with PTSD, you can help them by welcoming and normalizing conversations about the illness

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 21, 2018 | Counseling News, Mental Health, PTSD

It’s important we understand and raise awareness for harmful mental illnesses like PTSD. Though the disorder can vary from person-to-person, common symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and hypervigilance. Letting our loved ones with PTSD know we are there...

What are the four phases of PTSD? Here’s a comprehensive look at the impact phase, the rescue phase, the intermediate recovery phase, and the long-term reconstruction phase

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 21, 2018 | Counseling News, Mental Health, PTSD

PTSD can be divided into four phases: the impact phase, the rescue phase, the intermediate recovery phase, and the long-term reconstruction phase. The impact phase encompasses initial reactions such as shock, fear, and guilt. In the rescue phase, the affected...

5 Common Misconceptions About the Course and Development of PTSD

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 20, 2018 | Counseling News, Mental Health, PTSD

As with many conversations surrounding mental health, there are a few common misconceptions when it comes to understanding the course and development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental illness that many suffer with after experiencing a traumatic event....

The Everyday Abuses That Lead to PTSD in Our Society

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 20, 2018 | Counseling News, Mental Health, PTSD

When one hears the term “posttraumatic stress disorder,” an image of a wounded veteran often comes to mind. While this can be an accurate depiction, it’s important to recognize this as one of many faces of PTSD. In fact, a lot of us can find another by merely looking...

What Does PTSD Feel Like?

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 19, 2018 | Counseling News, Mental Health, PTSD

Do you know what it’s like to live in a constant state of fear? To become significantly startled by a gentle knock on the door or the bark of your neighbor’s dog? To worry about what might happen to you if you leave the house? To expect injury or even death every...

The Unintended Side Effects of Spending Too Much Time on Social Media Platforms

by Austin Fabel | Jun 18, 2018 | Counseling News, Media Use, Mental Health

In late 2010, Steve Jobs was still at the head of Apple and had recently unveiled the first iPad. Jobs was well known for his personality and would often call reporters to let them know how he felt about their reviews. At times, these conversations would involve a pat...

What’s the Cost of Keeping Up With Today’s News?

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 18, 2018 | Counseling News, Media Use, Mental Health

You probably don’t think twice about turning on the news or checking your favorite outlet’s website for updates on what’s happening in the world. But did you know that too much news exposure can seriously harm your mental health and wellbeing? And while it’s good to...

The News Can Bring About Unwanted Anxiety

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 15, 2018 | Counseling News, Media Use, Mental Health

Every morning when I wake up, one of the first things I do is turn on The Today Show. It’s mostly background noise while I complete the rest of my morning routine, but sometimes I find myself just staring at the TV, mouth gaping. Somehow, I still can’t believe all of...

When Social Media Makes You Sad

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 15, 2018 | Counseling News, Media Use, Mental Health

We’re all guilty of it—scrolling enviously through our feeds, staring at all the pretty pictures and reading about our friends’ “glamorous” lives. But here’s the thing: the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Have you ever heard someone refer to social media...

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Social Media Use: What’s the Difference?

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 14, 2018 | Counseling News, Media Use, Mental Health

If you’re an avid social media user—say of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or all of the above—you’ve probably wondered at some point in your life if your habits would be considered healthy… or if there might be some room for improvement. Fortunately, Licensed...

Do Violent Video Games Really Cause Aggressive Behavior?

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 14, 2018 | Counseling News, Media Use, Mental Health

You’ve heard it many times before: the claim that violent video games pose a major hazard to our world, as they spark aggressive behavior in players and lead to their committing violent acts. But have you ever stopped to consider the validity of this statement? To...

Social Media Isn’t So Great For Your Mental Health—Here’s Why

by Taylor Bennett | Jun 13, 2018 | Counseling News, Media Use, Mental Health

The capabilities and functionalities of social media are absolutely awe-inspiring. I mean, these platforms allow us to upload our thoughts and our experiences to the web in a matter of seconds; they enable us to have instant conversations with people on the complete...