Mental Health Topics

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada, discovered that men and women with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience opposite genetic transformations. This study “Opposite Molecular Signatures of Depression in Men and Women,” which is published in Biological Psychiatry, suggests…

A counselor’s job is to offer guidance and help his or her clients live their very best lives. They appear to be the wisest of the wise, all-knowing, and at times pretty perfect—but the truth is that they struggle just like us. And they have to work at this crazy…

Earlier today, I was on a counseling community site where people go to ask for or to give advice. The questions ranged in subject matter, from surviving difficult breakups to managing anxiety, seeking treatment for depression, and so on, but a large majority dealt with a lack of self-worth. Several…

When my ex and I broke up, I immediately unfollowed him on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. Not because I was resentful or petty—but because I knew I needed a clean break. Seeing his photos and status updates would only upset me and prevent me from moving forward. So, much to…

An estimated 350 million people around the world suffer from depression, making this illness a leading cause of disability. Some of these individuals experience depressive thoughts or feelings after a loved one has passed; some after going through a bad breakup; and others for no apparent reason at all. The…

You’re heading to the car dealership, ready to purchase a 2012 Toyota Highlander. You know that this car is reliable, in your price range, and a great fit for your family. This is exactly what you tell the car salesman who greets you at the doors and asks what he…

A few years ago, I embarked on a trip abroad to “find myself.” I felt stuck, bored, but most importantly lost. Then I stepped onboard that plane to Europe and three months later returned with a newfound happiness and confidence. I was certain in who I was and who I…

Social media is in one word powerful. It allows us to connect with and build relationships with people all over the world in a matter of seconds—which I think we can all agree is truly amazing. But is it too powerful? Since the development of social media platforms, like Instagram…

Breakups are tough—but the following weeks, months, sometimes years, are even tougher. You’ve given a little bit of yourself to this person and this relationship, and then it’s all suddenly gone. And you’re left to either pick of the pieces or leave them scattered on the floor. Which do you…

Oftentimes, there’s a big difference between having a good day at work and a productive day at work—sure, sometimes they go hand-in-hand, but at others they don’t. Think back to a time when you were nearing a major deadline and had to crank out a large workload. After hours of…

A year or so ago, I went to the movies with some friends to see The Purge: Election Year. For those of you who haven’t seen this movie, it’s pretty disturbing and unsettling. The whole series is about an annual “purge,” in which all criminal activity is legal for 12…

I’ve let my temper get the best of me—and my guess is that you’ve let your temper get the best of you too. We’ve all been there, in times of extreme frustration, irritation, or outright anger, when all of the negative feelings bubble to the surface and over the rim…