Mental Health Topics

Rarely do we second guess the validity of our memory, but the truth is that our minds do sometimes deceive us by creating false or distorted memories. A recent study demonstrated this phenomenon, as participants claimed to remember viewing footage of United 93 crashing in Pennsylvania on September 11—but this…

Implicit memory is easily recalled without much effort, helping us with tasks like walking, talking, and driving a car on a regular basis, all without much effort. An Implicit Association Test was created to test our associations with particular individuals; it urges subjects to make quick judgments and often indicates…

The focus of counseling often varies; however, commonly discussed issues among older adults include the loss of loved ones, health issues, and identity crises. Many of these individuals have lost a spouse, are facing severe physical or mental health issues, or are missing fulfillment and enjoyment in life. Older adults…

We have a huge influence on our dog’s personalities. This, from a Michigan State University study that surveyed over 1,600 dog owners. Researchers asked owners to evaluate their dog’s personalities and answer questions related to the dog’s behavioral history. They also answered questions about their own personalities. The team found…

According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, cannabis use is growing the fastest among older adults. However, a new study “Qualitative Analysis of Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Colorado” says that many of these individuals report challenges to getting medical marijuana, including fear of stigma from…

Many people develop mental and neurological disorders as they enter old age, depression, dementia, and anxiety being among the most common. These challenges often go underrecognized, but it’s important we stay on top of our mental, emotional, and physical health as we age. Take care of yourself throughout life by…

When we’re young, we often view people in their 20s or 30s as “old”; this idea of old, however, changes as we age. A recent study says the older we get, the younger we feel—in other words, our perception of old age changes as we get older. Researchers reached this…

Playing sports might protect boys from depression. A study from the journal Biological Psychiatry examined how exercise might impact the development of depression in children. It analyzed over 4,000 kids ages 9 to 11 and saw that sports participation was linked to fewer depression symptoms specifically in boys. Researchers found…

As our loved ones grow older, we tend to worry about physical ailments, such as an increased risk for heart attacks and memory problems like dementia. However, we often fail to recognize threats to their mental health—for example, the elderly often suffers from depression and anxiety. These are common illnesses…

All of my grandparents chose to age in place. In fact, most senior citizens older than retirement age do. It’s nothing new, and as our population grows, it will likely become even more common. So, what is “aging in place,” and why is it so prevalent in our society? It’s…

Those who seek social support on Facebook when stressed are more susceptible to Facebook addiction. This, according to researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany. The research team conducted an online survey of 309 Facebook users between 18 and 56 years old. Participants answered questions related to stress, Facebook engagement, and…

Disheartening research from Nationwide Children’s Hospital confirms a large increase in suicide rates for females, especially young girls. Researchers examined suicide rates among kids and adolescents ages 10 to 19 from 1975 to 2016. They found that suicide rates began to increase in both males and females in 2007, but…