For a full index of Articles, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Parenting is difficult. Children don’t come with manuals and we often have to figure things out as we go, through trial and error. It is not uncommon for parents who have children with anxiety or depression to feel overwhelmed or not know where to go for help. Please read below for some tips for parents who have pre-teens and teens who struggle with depression and anxiety:
Many of us are aware that there is a heroin epidemic in the U.S. currently. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, heroin addiction has been on the rise since 2007. Please click on this link for some additional information about heroin:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin
The main question for many of us is, “Why?” Why do people, who know the results of using this drug, start it in the first place? Why can’t they stop when they want to stop? All are valid questions. We have to start with some understanding about the process.
If you are like some of the clients that I've worked with, you might be wondering if group therapy is the right place for you. I've had some clients question how they are supposed to feel comfortable in a group of strangers, and how anybody else would understand what they are going through. I've also witnessed some group members not take advantage of the opportunities that the group environment promotes, which is highly unfortunate! My hope is that you will get a better understanding of the unique advantages of group treatment.
We live in a world where we want things done yesterday. Instant gratification. We have access to the internet via our phones. At any second we can catch up with the news, check our bank accounts, and send an email. We can purchase something and have it delivered within 2 days. We can check our children’s grades online at any time, book an appointment, do research instantly. A decade ago, this wasn’t the case. We used to have to go to the library to research something, make a phone call to cancel or make an appointment, wait until report cards came out or wait until the evening news to catch up.
We all experience an array of daily emotions, both positive and negative. Each one of these feelings or emotions creates an effect upon our bodies, again both positive and negative. When we engage in positive thoughts and behaviors or encounter pleasant events, our brains release “happy hormones” such as serotonin, endorphins, dopamine and oxytocin or “natural pain killers” such as enkephalins.
Conversely, when we engage in negative thoughts and behaviors or encounter stressful events, both good or bad, our bodies release “stress hormones” such as cortisol which overtime can weaken the body's immune system, making one more likely to get colds, illness, infections or chronic health issues and pain.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
How does one distinguish between winter blues and more serious conditions? Many feel sluggish or down during Fall and Winter months. The winter blues are pretty common. If this sadness is profound, it may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression which results from decreased light during the darker Fall and Winter months. With decreased sunlight, our internal biological clocks are thrown off, and it feels as though everything is out of sync. The natural hormone Melatonin also increases with less light, creating more lethargy, fatigue and drowsiness. This can also contribute to depression. It is important to know what the signs and symptoms of SAD and to receive the appropriate level of care.
Although not yet formally recognized as a clinical diagnosis, orthorexia has gained atten-tion in recent years with the rise in organic and natural foods and the “clean eating” movement. While we can all agree that healthy eating has wonderful physical, mental, and emotional benefits; it is possible to have an unhealthy obsession with healthy food (Bratman, 2014).
I can't tell you how often I hear questions about managing stress & anxiety. In this fast paced world it appears to be an inevitable part of life.
But how much of our stress is based upon what is going on right now, in this moment and how much is based upon regrets or anger from the past or worries about the future?
Full Article Index
- “I WAS TRYING TO ACT NORMAL…”
- Adjusting to Life During Coronavirus
- All or Nothing Thinking and Various Other Popular Cognitive Distortions
- Anger Iceberg - Erin Pawlak
- Appropriate Levels of Care in Mental Health
- Are Politics Affecting You Emotionally?
- Are You a Parent or a Friend to Your Child?
- Bipolar Disorder (Supporting Your Loved Ones)
- BWG Fall Newsletter
- Can Family Members Help Someone Get Off Drugs?
- CARF Accreditation 2018
- CARF Accreditation Fall 2015
- Choosing a University or College
- Chronic Pain
- Confidence and Self-Esteem
- Creating Positive Self Talk to Increase Healthy Habits
- Deep Breathing Through Tough Times (For Kids)
- Did PTSD Exist Before Viet Nam?
- Doing Your Part to Decrease the Mental Health Stigma
- Effective Communication
- Emotion Regulation Skills
- Fall 2020
- Fall is Upon Us…. And so is CampusTherapy.com!
- For Parents: How To Deal With The Financial Stressors of Kids and College
- Grief and Loss: Just what is “Normal” Anyway?
- Happy Spring!
- How Do I Know if I Have a Substance Abuse Problem?
- How Does Stress Affect My Physical Health
- How to "Reset" Ourselves
- How to Deal with Work Related Stress
- How to Survive the COVID Fatigue Holiday Season
- How to talk to your kids about drugs
- Hurry Up, Let's Slow Down
- Improving Sleep - Especially During COVID-19
- Is it acceptable to take a mental health day from work/school?
- Let’s Talk About Love
- Managing Relationships Through the Holidays
- Managing Stress
- Mental Health Patients and the Emergency Room
- Mindfulness For Stress Reduction
- Myths about Suicide
- New Year 2020
- New Year 2021
- New Year's Resolution: Evaluation Time
- Oh My God, I’m losing control!
- Options for College Related Stress
- Orthorexia: When Healthy Eating Becomes Unhealthy
- Parents, Teens and Mental Health
- Poklar's Ponderings, Parents Hang in There
- Protecting Our Children
- Reprogramming Your Brain
- Social Media Detox
- Special Notice regarding COVID-19
- Spring 2020
- Summer 2020
- Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault
- Teens Who Struggle With Suicidal Thoughts
- Teens, Entitlement and Instant Gratification
- Ten DBT Techniques for Anxiety
- Ten Years of Health and Wellness
- The Benefits of Group Therapy
- The Heroin Epidemic
- The New Trend: Teens, Vaping and Juuls
- The Power of Positivity
- Therapeutic Benefits of Dogs
- Thirteen Things to Consider and Ways to Open Communication
- Thriving During Divorce
- Tips for Parents who have Pre-Teens and Teens who Struggle with Depression and Anxiety
- Tips On Preventing The Cold Weather Blues
- Understanding Grief
- Validating Kids as They Deal with Anxiety
- Ways to Learn New Life Skills
- What Really Matters?
- What To Do In Case COVID Never Ends by Michael Pollak
- What to Look for if Someone You Care About May Have a Problem with Alcohol
- What's Your Boundary
- When Seasonal Changes Affect Your Moods
- When Someone You Love Struggles with Depression and Anxiety
- When To Be Concerned About College Related Stress
- Who you voted for does not have to define you