Depression is characterized by, well, a depressed state. Those who develop the condition present this state of despair as well as a loss of interest or pleasure in day to day life. The remaining characteristics can vary… and be mistaken for another illness entirely—the flu. This makes distinguishing the difference…
Teens and other young individuals overuse the term depression: they say they’re “depressed,” when they’re anything but perfectly happy. This is a problem, as it blurs the line between being experiencing normal emotions and being clinically depressed. The answer to this problem is to help young people understand that life…
Counselors are seeing a rise in young people seeking counseling for depression. One reason so many young people are dealing with depression is because they’re socially isolated thanks to increasing social media use. The good news is that while this problem is concerning, it can be corrected: we can take…
Those who don’t suffer with a mental health condition themselves often lack an adequate understanding of these conditions—which is why it’s so important we have conversations about mental health and continue to raise awareness. Mental health pros identified a few important things to know: first, depression can vary among…
Teenagers are at an increased risk for experiencing mental health issues, as their brains continue to develop and change throughout this delicate time in life. This means it’s incredibly important for their loved ones to keep a watchful eye on them and understand red flags that might signify a serious…
While many know that drugs and alcohol play a significant role in mental health, it isn’t as clear what that role is: can drug and alcohol use cause mental illness? Or does persistent drug/alcohol use merely signify a mental illness. As it turns out, the answer isn’t so black and…
While it’s understandable to feel uncertain about taking medication to treat your mental health condition, it’s important to consider doing so as a viable treatment option. Be open with your doctor about your symptoms, so they can help you weigh your treatment options and ultimately decide whether medication is the…
The teen years are difficult enough, but when you factor in the high susceptibility to and prevalence of mental illness, these years become even tougher. Fortunately, parents can help their teens cope with mental health conditions. It all starts with educating oneself and knowing the warning signs pertaining to negative…
Celebrities develop mental illnesses and crack under the pressures of life just like the rest of us—which means sometimes they need a little help. The following eight celebrities, who have suffered from a wide variety of conditions and stresses, decided that it was time to talk to someone. And every…
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is an effective approach to treating a wide variety of mental illnesses and emotional problems. It can lessen the impact of a traumatic event, help one deal with the death of a loved one, and also target harmful symptoms of depression or anxiety. Now,…
Have you ever been driving down the highway and suddenly realized you were daydreaming for the last 10 minutes? No idea what mile marker you’re at or how you managed to operate a car in that state of mind? Maybe that’s just me, but you’ve surely plopped down on the…
Making a schizophreniform disorder diagnosis can be tricky because its characteristics are identical to those of schizophrenia, considering it is a short-term type of schizophrenia. However, the key to distinguishing the two is looking at the very duration of the episodes. Schizophreniform episodes last for at least 1 month but…
