Category: Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Month
Understanding what life is like for those who suffer from mental illness is top of mind this month as May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Observed in the United States since 1949, the designation was made to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone. This year, there…
Understanding Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that can be very disabling if not treated properly. Though uncommon, schizophrenia is chronic and can make its victims feel out of touch with the world they live in. It changes the way one feels, thinks, behaves and interacts with those they love. Schizophrenia may seem scary, however, there…
What is PTSD
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur when a person has experienced a traumatic event in which there was an actual or perceived threat of death or injury to themselves of another. People with PTSD often re-live the traumatic event through distressing dreams, flashbacks, or by becoming agitated and/or hypervigilant around anniversaries or other dates…
Understanding Depression: What is Postpartum Depression?
The baby blues are no joking matter, and women worldwide know this if they have experienced the effects of postpartum depression (PPD) after giving birth. Hormonal and chemical changes, combined with a ton of physical changes, can leave mom feeling moody and overwhelmed, which is normal after childbirth but may be discouraging and cause a…
Ways to Improve Mental Health
“Every day begins with an act of courage and hope.” Do you remember the very first time you consciously recognized that you or someone close to you had depression? It happens to us all, we get down in the dumps sometimes, but some individuals experience much more severe symptoms of depression than others. Far too…
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes unpredictable mood swings, extraordinary fluctuations in energy and activity and an inability to perform routine daily tasks. Bipolar disorder is a serious disorder requiring prompt, professional intervention. With symptoms ranging from mild to severe, adolescents and adults with proper treatment for bipolar disorder can lead full and productive lives. Bipolar disorder is…
Signs of Mental Illness
Mental illnesses rarely appear suddenly. Very often, friends and family recognize the changes before one of these illnesses appear. People who suffer from mental disorders often feel alone and hopeless, but there are nearly 54 million Americans suffering from some form of mental illness. Most families are not prepared to learn that a loved one…