Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe form of anxiety where you have distressing thoughts or fears that lead to repetitive behavior. Usually, people with OCD realize that these obsessions and compulsions are unreasonable but are unable to stop them. Symptoms of OCD typically revolve around certain themes. One example could be feeling afraid of being contaminated by …Read More
Panic Disorder
Jun 28, 2010
Approximately 2.4 million adults are affected by panic disorder in the United States. Panic disorder is quite different than regular anxiety in that it is a wave of extremely intense fear that usually lasts about 10 minutes. Symptoms of these panic attacks also include physical reactions such as sweating and heart racing. Panic attacks can hit …Read More
Depression and Chronic Pain
Apr 29, 2010
Depression and body aches or pain often go together. Depression is actually one of the most common psychological issues that people with chronic pain must endure. While some people have a painful medical condition that eventually brings their mood down, others experience feelings of depression that may create bodily pain. Either way, depression and chronic …Read More
Winter Blues?
Feb 23, 2010
Do you ever notice that your mood changes with the weather? Many people say that the weather can either bring them down or pick up their mood. While these fluctuations are completely normal, some people become clinically depressed or anxious depending on the weather. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs …Read More
Health Benefits of Fish Oil
Feb 8, 2010
Studies have shown that omega-3 essential fatty acids as found in fish oil have many health benefits. Fish oil has been shown to help improve heart health, alleviate pain and inflammation, suppress autoimmune disorders, and lower the risk of cancer. These omega-3’s also have been shown to improve mental health. Regular fish oil consumption may …Read More
Depression and the Economy
Jan 31, 2010
Major depression affects approximately 15 million American adults each year. The current economic crisis may contribute to this statistic and may actually increase the amount of people struggling with depression. A recent national survey by Mental Health America, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Depression is Real Coalition have found that people who are …Read More
Is Diet Related to Depression?
Jan 18, 2010
Many studies have shown that our diet affects physical health such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, up until recently, researchers haven’t explored the effects of diet on our mental health. A recent study that was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that diet is in fact associated with mental health. This study …Read More
The Health Benefits of Yoga
Nov 8, 2009
“Relax your body and mind and let your Spirit soar high.” – Remez Sasson Yoga is a way to relax both your mind and body which allows your spirit to shine. Originating as an ancient Indian practice, yoga is a type of meditation that involves stretching and other exercises including deep breathing and maintaining an …Read More
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Oct 28, 2009
Bipolar disorder is considered a “mood disorder.” Whereas major depressive disorder is considered as “uni-polar” (meaning just one pole or mood of depression), “bi-polar” (meaning two poles of mania and depression) means that the person’s mood can vacillate between feeling “up” and feeling “down.” Here are some symptoms of mania and depression in bipolar disorder. …Read More
Mental Health Awareness & Bipolar Disorder
Oct 24, 2009
In my last blog, I talked about the stigma of mental health conditions. Sometimes stigma about psychiatric conditions can keep people from seeking help and getting the treatment they need to get their lives back on track. This past week, the actor, Glenn Close, and her sister, Jessie Close, appeared on various television shows including …Read More