The trauma and grief of miscarriage don’t end when a regular menstrual cycle begins weeks later. Women who lose a pregnancy can experience perinatal grief and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People with a history of depression and/or anxiety should take special care to find support after a trauma….
Because children grieve differently from adults, they can benefit from bereavement support tailored to their specific needs. Grief camps for kids help children process grief and loss through group and one-on-one counseling, yes, but also through play and art. You can observe the power of children’s grief camps in the…
Mental health challenges can be difficult to deal with and talking to others — especially your parents — about them can be difficult, too. The reality is that opening up to your parents about how you’re feeling and your desire to get mental health help can be important and beneficial….
When the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was released, it no longer included a “bereavement exclusion” for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Clinicians acknowledged that though there is such a thing as “normal grief”, or “uncomplicated bereavement”, that doesn’t mean grief…
There will come a time when someone with a mental illness — like depression, anxiety, or PTSD — needs your help. While mental health conditions require proper treatment from a mental health professional like a counselor or psychiatrist, you can provide help in the form of comfort, reassurance, and support….
In some cases, victims of loss aren’t overwhelmed with difficult emotions but feel emotionally numb instead. This is a normal reaction, which typically occurs when someone loses someone or something suddenly and unexpectedly. Still, it’s important for these individuals to make sure they grieve well, which involves understanding and processing…
When you lose someone close to you, that grief never fully goes away—but you do learn to cope with it over time. Several effective coping techniques include talking with loved ones about your pain, remembering all of the good in your life, engaging in your favorite activities, and consulting with…
The holidays are supposed to be the most joyous time of the year, but it’s common for others to feel sluggish, unhappy, or even depressed over the Christmas season. The expectation of being happy during this time also plays into the fear and loneliness that come with the holiday blues….
In 2020, reported losses from romance scams totaled $304 million. Heartbroken victims reported losing not only their money, but also their dignity and the futures they’d envisioned with their loved ones. You can take practical steps to protect yourself from romance scammers, like learning to identify the psychological biases these…
Shame: There is something wrong with me as a person. Guilt: I’m a person who may have done something wrong. What is the thing that causes you to lay awake at night; the thing that causes you shame? I promise that you’re not damaged beyond repair. You’re not unlovable. You’re…
We can try to be more like Oprah and Gayle in our close friendships, but we often miss the mark. When the negatives in your friendship start to drown out the positives, it may be time for friendship therapy, which is like couples therapy for friends. Friendship therapists employ many…
Brainwashing is an outdated psychological concept, but narcissistic cult leaders can still exercise extreme influence over smart, sane, “regular” people. You can protect yourself from cultic mind control techniques by learning the warning signs and asking the right questions. Destructive cults use love-bombing, isolation, and phobia indoctrination to overwhelm cognition. …