Mental Health Topics

Young children show the effects of trauma in many ways. They may seem anxious, sad, afraid, act out, become aggressive, or even shut down emotionally. When difficult situations break or stress the all-important bond between children and parents, the symptoms of trauma can persist or worsen.  Children need to know…

Have you ever startled awake, wondering, “Why are my dreams so violent?” Maybe you had a dream about a creepy clown chasing you, insisting on giving you a shot. Maybe you dreamt about getting in a violent fight with someone you know. Whatever it might be, a scary or violent…

Money can be a major stressor—whether it’s budgeting or managing debt. Even with a strong economy, Forbes reports that around 71% of Americans (roughly 178 million) are struggling with their finances.  This type of stress can negatively impact a person’s life in a number of ways, be it in personal…

When it comes to addressing anxiety and depression, two widely prescribed medications often come into consideration: Lexapro (generic name: escitalopram) and Prozac (generic name: fluoxetine).  While both medications help increase the availability of serotonin in the brain, their individual characteristics and effects set them apart. In this comparison of Lexapro…

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the current diagnosis for what may also be called chronic alcoholism, alcohol addiction, alcohol abuse, dipsomania, and alcohol dependence. This comprehensive look at alcohol use disorder will provide an in-depth explanation of the disorder, its causes, diagnostic criteria, symptoms, and treatments. 

Antidepressants, and medications in general, work differently for different people. It’s common for there to be a bit of an experimentation phase when trying to find the right medication and dosage for you. A healthcare provider can help you determine if your antidepressant dose is too low or too high…

Sexual attraction in relationships is a bit of a taboo topic—people are criticized for saying they aren’t attracted to their partner or for “putting so much weight” on physical attraction. However, the truth is that it is possible to like someone but not be attracted physically to them.  Sexual attraction…

As hard as we might try, sometimes we aren’t very kind to ourselves. While being hard on ourselves may seem like no big deal, consistent negative thoughts often convince us that our mistakes and flaws are who we are, not what we’ve done. Though it’s a long process to quiet…

While life can be rich with meaning and joy, there are times when it becomes overwhelming and hard to manage. During these difficult moments, it’s important to set up supportive resources and habits. However, it can be difficult to know where to start—or even muster the energy to get out…

Most of us know how our stomachs can turn and cold sweat can break out when we start to get anxious. But when that uncomfortable tension builds, anxiety nausea—nausea caused by our physical reaction to feeling anxious—may develop. Learn the bodily effects of anxiety nausea, what immediate steps you can…

Mental disorders are health conditions that involve changes in thinking, emotion, or behavior—or some combination of the three. Mental disorders are connected with distress and/or impairment in functioning, whether that be socially, occupationally, or in some other dimension of life.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about…

If you’re wondering when to admit yourself to a mental hospital, chances are, you’re experiencing extreme amounts of stress, depression, or anger. These aren’t easy emotions to cope with, even under the best of circumstances. Determining the signs you need to go to a mental hospital can help you understand…