Depression is a complex condition with psychological, social, genetic, and environmental factors. Some people develop depression as a response to a specific event. Some people develop depression over time. Still, others appear to develop it for no clear reason. Depression is treatable. But like many other mental health disorders, depression does cause physical changes that can affect the way a person’s neurochemicals operate. Some of the most significant ways that depression can change the brain…
read moreDepression is a complex condition. It is psychological, in that it develops in the brain. But it is also behavioral, genetic, and environmental. Scientists have studied depression for decades, but still do not fully understand why some people develop depression, why others do not, and the mechanisms that cause people to be able or unable to overcome it on their own. What makes depression even more complicated is how it develops. Depression can develop in…
read morePhobias are intense fears of a very specific “stimuli.” For example, a person might intensely fear snakes, public speaking, or flying on a plane. Encountering these leads to severe anxiety and distress that can be debilitating, so people will go out of their way to avoid those objects, animals, or experiences. Agoraphobia is a type of phobia where a person fears being in unfamiliar and/or public places. People with agoraphobia may either not be able…
read moreEvery day, multiple times a day, we request something from our partner. It may be a bit of attention, love, intimacy, support, or even just time. But during the day, sometimes dozens of times a day, we have these small or big requests that we make in order to maintain and grow our connection with our partner. But how our partner responds to these bids can have a substantial affect on our happiness levels and…
read moreYou’ll often hear people say that children are “resilient” as a response to their ability to overcome trauma. In many ways, it’s true. Children have the unique ability to smile after they’re in trouble, or to play after they cry. They get hurt and then forget about their pain with a bit of distraction. They are able to feel and express love only minutes after a tantrum. Kids are amazing at moving forward. But that’s…
read moreWe often talk about treating postpartum depression to prevent it from continuing on for too long. But another reason to treat postpartum depression is because, even when postpartum depression goes away, the effects of it can continue onward. About Postpartum Depression (PPD) in the Long Term Postpartum depression – depression that occurs after childbirth in women, related to issues like hormones, stress, lack of sleep, and other factors – occurs in some form in a…
read moreThere’s a popular saying that “marriage is hard” and “marriage takes work.” Both of those sayings are true, but they also sometimes hide something about marriage that many couples struggle with: that sometimes, it’s not that there are problems in your marriage, but rather that you haven’t yet developed the skills as a couple to communicate those problems in ways that are emotionally and psychologically healthy. Most couples only seek out a marriage therapist on…
read moreADHD is a lifelong condition. But it is manageable. Through medication, behavioral intervention, therapy, and other treatments, your child can – and often will – lead a long, healthy, productive and happy life. But there are speedbumps along that journey, and while often there is a focus on the child with ADHD, it is often the parents that need support. This is where ADHD coaching for parents can help. What is ADHD Coaching for Parents?…
read moreSome people are naturally socially. They love to talk to people, and they get excited about the idea of social interaction. But not everyone is that socially active. Many people dislike or struggle to be social for different reasons, and may describe those reasons using different terms. Some of the most common of these terms are “introvert,” “shy,” and “socially anxious.” These terms can share similarities, but they mean very different things, and – for…
read moreDepression is complex. Some people develop depression gradually due to both biological and environmental factors. This type of depression is treatable, but because it is not due to a specific event, it often requires a broader approach to address the many potential factors that played a role in its development – as well as those that are still creating ongoing symptoms. But not all depression develops this gradually. Sometimes, depression is a result of a…
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