Mental & Emotional Health – Page 11

The Latest in Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

You—or a loved one—feel depressed. Then very excited, or even “hyper.” Then depressed again. These ups and downs can be a sign of bipolar disorder, a brain disorder. Though there is no cure for this disorder, medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can treat symptoms and help you feel better. Symptoms Bipolar… Continue reading The Latest in Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

How to Get Mentally Fit for The New Year

With the start of a new year it is important to reflect back on the prior year, assess what went well, what didn’t and decide where you want to go next. It takes a lot of mental toughness, self-love, and discipline to create the life you want. Simply coasting along on cruise control reacting to… Continue reading How to Get Mentally Fit for The New Year

Why We Avoid Risks as We Age

Older adults are less inclined to take risks, but this behavior may be linked to changes in brain anatomy rather than age, according to a Yale-led study published on December13th 2016 in Nature Communications. The finding adds to scientific understanding of decision making and may lead to strategies for modifying changes in risk behavior as… Continue reading Why We Avoid Risks as We Age

Five Steps to Greater Fulfillment in 2017

It’s that time of year again to think about what you want to accomplish in 2017. But wait! Past research tells us that 92% of New Year’s resolutions fail. So you might say, why bother? Instead, perhaps you should go about those resolutions in a more effective way. There are a number of reasons why… Continue reading Five Steps to Greater Fulfillment in 2017

Creative People Fear Death Less than Others

Creative people with high levels of ambition and achievement are less likely to fear death than other people with lower creativity levels, according to new research from the UK. The study was conducted by Rotem Perach, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Kent’s School of Psychology, under the supervision of Dr Arnaud Wisman, shows… Continue reading Creative People Fear Death Less than Others

Holiday Bereavement Services: Comfort for Tough Times

A growing number of houses of worship, as well as counseling programs with religious affiliations, are offering special services, rituals, therapeutic groups, and other programming for those in mourning.Holidays such as Christmas and Hanukkah are generally considered joyful times infused with love for family and friends as we embrace traditions both societal and particular to our… Continue reading Holiday Bereavement Services: Comfort for Tough Times

Sexism Linked to Mental Health Problems in Men

Men who prefer traditional role are likelier to have more psychological problems than those who don’t conform as much to masculine norms, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. “In general, individuals who conformed strongly to masculine norms tended to have poorer mental health and less favorable attitudes toward seeking psychological help, although… Continue reading Sexism Linked to Mental Health Problems in Men

Reconditioning the Brain to Overcome Fear

Fear-related disorders affect around one in 14 people and place considerable pressure on mental health services. Currently, a common approach is for patients to undergo some form of aversion therapy, in which they confront their fear by being exposed to it in the hope they will learn that the thing they fear isn’t harmful after… Continue reading Reconditioning the Brain to Overcome Fear

Singing the Holiday Blues?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But sadly, not for everyone. Whether it’s dealing with loss, getting over an addiction, being new in town, helping children post-divorce or caring for a senior citizen, here are my suggestions to help make the holidays a bit easier to navigate. For the newly divorced or widowed Loss is… Continue reading Singing the Holiday Blues?

Pessimism Ups Risk of Death from Heart Disease, Yet Optimism Isn’t Protective

Pessimism seems to be a strong risk factor for death from coronary heart disease (CHD), while optimism does not protect from it, according to a study published in November 2016 in the open access journal BMC Public Health. The research involved 2,267 middle aged and older Finnish men and women. A rlease from BioMed Central… Continue reading Pessimism Ups Risk of Death from Heart Disease, Yet Optimism Isn’t Protective

Surviving the Holidays as An Introvert

Extroverts get energy and adrenaline from being at a busy party. Introverts are the opposite. Being in a large crowd or a humming social event can make them feel drained, empty, and disconnected. It’s called the ‘introvert hangover,’ and they can be especially common this time of year with holiday parties and socializing at an… Continue reading Surviving the Holidays as An Introvert

Study: “Reframing” a Stressful Situation May Actually Lower Well-Being

Many of us have been taught to “reframe” a stressful situation – i.e. think about it in a more positive way. But that technique, when used in situations that we can actually control, may be associated with lower well-being, researchers have found. The findings were published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for… Continue reading Study: “Reframing” a Stressful Situation May Actually Lower Well-Being

The Aging Brain Care Medical Home Lowers Severity of Depression

The Aging Brain Care Medical Home, a novel brain-focused population health management program implemented in the homes of older adults, lowered depression severity by more than 50 percent over six months according to a November 2016 study from the Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University Center for Aging Research, IU Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science,… Continue reading The Aging Brain Care Medical Home Lowers Severity of Depression

“Worried Well” May Be Boosting Their Risk of Heart Disease

People who needlessly worry that they have, or will develop, serious illness–popularly referred to as ‘the worried well’– may be boosting their risk of developing heart disease, suggests research published in November 2016 in the online journal BMJ Open. Anxiety is a known risk factor for heart disease. A release from the publisher notes that… Continue reading “Worried Well” May Be Boosting Their Risk of Heart Disease

Do You Have Emotional Flashbacks?

You’re going about your day… say, opening your mail… when someone knocks on your front door and you instantly feel stress. They start knocking more loudly and more forcefully, so you pretend you’re not home and silently creep up the stairs, feeling anxious for no “real” reason. Or you’re driving in your car when someone… Continue reading Do You Have Emotional Flashbacks?

Facebook and Diagnoses of Illness

Like it or not, social media is among the most common ways people communicate worldwide. And while that has attracted some criticism, researchers say that Facebook updates might help in understanding the onset and early years of mental illness. “Facebook is hugely popular and could provide us with a wealth of data to improve our… Continue reading Facebook and Diagnoses of Illness

Music Can Be A Major Key to Therapeutic Healing

Music plays a significant role in nearly everyone’s life, but for some people it represents much more than an invitation to dance or a soundtrack for the morning commute. Researchers have found that music therapy provides a diversion from negative feelings and helps manage the pain of not only adults, but of children with developmental,… Continue reading Music Can Be A Major Key to Therapeutic Healing

Depression in Later Years and Your Five Senses

Depression can occur any time in life. But it’s especially difficult when it begins in your golden years. Geriatric depression, a mood disorder occurring at age 65 or older, doesn’t look the same as depression at earlier ages—and 90 percent of seniors who are struggling with depression are often misdiagnosed. Symptoms of depression in later… Continue reading Depression in Later Years and Your Five Senses